Apprentice Painter and Decorator

Apprentice Painter & Decorator

Course title: Painting and Decorating (Level 2)

Location: Leeds

Contract Type: Fixed Term Apprenticeship

Salary:

Age 16–18: £7.96 per hour — 40 hours per week (including time at college)

Age 19–20: £11.06 per hour — 42.5 hours per week (including time at college)

Age 21+: £12.21 per hour (rising to £12.71 in April) — 42.5 hours per week (including time at college)

Training provider: Leeds College of Building

You will join Mears Group in the week commencing 03/08/2026, The programme has an expected duration of approximately 24 months

About apprenticeships at Mears Group:

Apprenticeships are an underpinning part of Mears’ philosophy; we are committed to developing the next generation of our workforce, many of our most senior people started their working life as an apprentice.

Whether you are fresh out of school or college or looking for a complete career change, Mears can offer you a great foundation to your future career and beyond.

All our Apprentices are paid above the national minimum wage, and you’ll be paid for your normal working hours plus your attendance at college, with the opportunity to get real life experiences such as working in people’s homes, getting involved in community projects and improving people’s lives by being customer focused.

What does a life as a Painter & Decorator look like?

As a Painter and Decorator, you will have the skills and knowledge to work out what materials are needed for a particular project by taking measurements and looking at job specifications and drawings. You will be responsible for removing old paint and paper, preparing surfaces by fixing woodwork, filling, and sealing holes, cracks and joints and applying wallpaper, paints, stains, and varnishes using brushes, rollers and spraying equipment.

The apprenticeship course will cover the following: -

• Preparing internal and external untreated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example: trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials; metals (ferrous and non-ferrous) 
• Preparing internal and external previously coated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials
• Preparing and applying surface coatings to untreated external surfaces for example brick, stone, render, wood, metal using a brush and roller. 
• Applying solvent borne and water borne coating systems using brush and roller to ceilings, walls, linear work (skirting board and architrave) doors: flush and panelled and opening windows
• Preparing and applying foundation paper: Cross lining or vertical hanging around socket and switches, internal and external angles. 

What do you need to be a successful applicant: -

• The ability to travel to your college provider and to your branch when required
• A genuine desire to learn and develop strong technical knowledge, including the skills, technology, and safety procedures needed to carry out the full range of tasks
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain positive customer and client relationships
• Please note due to the nature of the role, successful applicants must complete a basic maths and English assessment

What you will get:

• Tools, Chromebook, and uniform supplied
• An industry‑recognised qualification
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• £250 contribution towards driving lessons
• Annual Mears Fun Day - a company‑wide celebration as a thank‑you from the Executive Team
• Support from Mears Group Apprentice Ambassadors
• Apprenticeship events and reward trips
• Staff perks through Mears Rewards - including discounts on weekly groceries (up to 10%), holidays, eye‑test vouchers, ShareSave scheme, and more

Application Process:

• All applicants must submit their CV and complete the apprenticeship questionnaire via the Mears Careers website
• If shortlisted, you will be contacted to confirm whether you have been selected for the next stage -  this may be an assessment centre or an individual interview
• Please note: as part of the selection process, you will be required to complete a basic maths and English test, similar to the assessments needed to join the college

A bit about us.

Mears Group PLC is a leading provider of housing and care services in the UK. With a strong emphasis on social responsibility and community well-being, Mears specialises in delivering housing solutions, maintenance services, and care support to a diverse client base. The group’s expertise encompasses responsive repairs, planned maintenance, and housing management, contributing to the overall improvement of living conditions for individuals and communities. Mears Group is committed to fostering a positive impact on society, making it an attractive prospect for individuals seeking a career in a socially responsible and dynamic organisation. A career with Mears Group means putting people and customers at the heart of what you do, every day. Our culture is built on what we call our ‘Red Thread’ – the common values we share that make us what we are.

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

Apply below or to discuss your application further; contact:

If you need any help with your application process, we are here to support you. We will be accessible every step of the way.

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.