Dulux Trade is sponsoring three students through the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community’s Building Skill in Craft Programme.
After a particularly competitive application process, Louie Callaghan, Matthew Evans and Matthew McKeowen were successfully awarded places on the course. The programme will offer the three apprentices the opportunity to build on their existing skills and knowledge of traditional and sustainable building techniques through practical experience, and help them understand how they fit into broader planning, design and building contexts. Each student will be working towards a level three NVQ in heritage skills.
The course began in July and runs for eight months, during which time the apprentices will complete modules tailored to the painting and decorating industry, including the culture of building, retrofit and the basics of establishing and running a business.
Beginning with a two-week summer school, the apprentices will join students from other backgrounds, including architecture and urban planning, to improve their techniques in areas such as thatching, joinery and pargetting, as well as life drawing and geometry.
The students will also put their newfound skills to the test by working on a live build project, where they will play a key part in both the design and construction stages. This will be followed by placements across the country.
Peter Doyle, Technical Training Consultant at AkzoNobel and President of the Association of Painting Craft Teachers, said: “Dulux Trade is committed to supporting and developing the next generation of talent in the painting and decorating industry. The Prince’s Foundation Building Skill in Craft Programme is a unique opportunity and places are highly sought after, so we’re incredibly proud of Louie, Matthew and Matthew for being selected, and look forward to supporting them in growing and developing their skills in this specialist area.”
For more information, contact Peter Doyle by email: peter.doyle@akzonobel.com
