Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

The Work

The work of the Painter/Decorator includes:   

• Decoration and preservation of new and existing private dwellings, public buildings and structures

• Renovation and restoration of period buildings

• Application of wall hangings and decorative paint coatings in the home and in commercial and industrial locations

• Designing and producing sign work and displays and advising on colour selection and interior design

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
• Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
• Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
• Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
• Immerse workpieces into coating materials for specified times.
• Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.
• Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
• Clean surfaces of workpieces in preparation for coating, using cleaning fluids, solvents, brushes, scrapers, steam, sandpaper, or cloth.
• Conceal blemishes in workpieces, such as nicks and dents, using fillers such as putty.
• Melt or heat coating materials to specified temperatures.

Further Information

• Painter / Decorator - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Painter / Decorator - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Painter / Decorator is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Painter / Decorator apprenticeship

There are many pathways to develop the skills & qualifications towards become a painter / decorator

FET Centre courses Painting & decorating NFQ level 3-4  search our FET coursefinder

Apprenticeship Painter & decorator NFQ level 6 Search apprenticeships

• To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

  To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal. You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.

  Entry Requirements:

  The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age. The minimum educational requirements are:

  1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent, or

  2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course

  or

  3. Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable.

  It should be noted that these are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential: Art, Technical Drawing/Graphics, Technology and Construction Studies.

  Please note: To become a painting and decorating apprentice you must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition)

   

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €31k - €49k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
SOLAS-CIF / REA Rates / Payscale/ Indeed/ WRC/ Talent

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was below average for painters and decorators; although employment levels increased between 2021 and 2022, they remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. Despite this, 31 new employment permits were issued in 2022. This occupation also had the highest share of non-Irish citizens in employment across the construction occupations, at 30%.

The supply of skills from the education and training system is comparatively small: the number of QQI craft awards (painting & decorating) reached just 13 in 2021, although this is an increase on the 7 made in 2016. Significant increases are unlikely in the medium term as new apprenticeship registrations in 2022, at 23, were below the 31 observed in 2019. The demand for painters/decorators to meet the skills requirements for housing and retrofitting projects is likely to far outstrip the supply from the apprenticeship system, however, many employed as painters/decorators do not hold apprenticeship qualifications. Although the DFHERIS report signals issues with painters, the data here does not point to any current shortages for this occupation.

• Master Painters and Decorators of Ireland

  • The Master Painters and Decorators of Ireland, Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • 01 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here