Painting and Decorating Apprentice - #2157964

Salary: £10.85 per hour for first year of Apprenticeship

Hours: 37 Hours per week

Weeks: 52 weeks per year

Contract: Fixed Term




To undertake a structured Level 2 Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship whilst supporting the Estates team in maintaining and improving the appearance, safety and condition of QAC's buildings and facilities. The postholder will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a professional Painter and Decorator through a combination of workplace experience and formal training delivered through an approved apprenticeship provider. Working alongside experienced Estates staff, the apprentice will gain practical experience across educational, residential, commercial and specialist facilities, contributing to the maintenance and improvement of the Charity's estate.











Application Deadline


October 16, 2026


Department


Estates


Employment Type


Full Time


Location


Harborne, Birmingham, UK


Workplace type


Onsite


Compensation


£10.85 / hour


Reporting To


Facilities Manager

Key Responsibilities & Safeguarding

Painting & Decorating:

• Assist with the preparation of walls, ceilings, woodwork and external surfaces for painting and decorating.


• Learn and apply painting, staining, varnishing and finishing techniques.


• Support wallpapering and other decorative finishes where required.


• Carry out minor repairs and surface preparation prior to decoration.


• Assist with the maintenance and refurbishment of classrooms, residential accommodation, offices and communal spaces.


• Ensure all work is completed to a high standard and in accordance with agreed specifications.

Property Maintenance Support

• Assist the wider Estates team with minor maintenance duties as appropriate.


• Support room refurbishment, improvement projects and estate enhancement schemes.


• Assist with furniture moves, room set-ups and facility preparations.


• Maintain high standards of housekeeping within workshops, storage areas and work locations.

Health & Safety

• Work in accordance with all H&S, procedures and safe systems of work.


• Correctly use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and maintain a safe working environment.


• Report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses promptly.


• Learn and follow safe working practices relating to tools, equipment, access equipment and materials.


• Support the Charity's commitment to safeguarding, health, safety and wellbeing.

Learn and follow safe working practices relating to ladders, podium steps, mobile access equipment and working at height activities


Undertake manual handling activities safely in accordance with training and organisational procedures



Apprenticeship Learning & Development

• Attend college, training sessions, practical workshops and assessments as required.


• Complete coursework, portfolio evidence and apprenticeship assignments within required timescales.


• Apply learning gained through formal training in the workplace.


• Participate fully in progress reviews with the training provider and line manager.


• Demonstrate commitment to achieving apprenticeship milestones and qualification requirements.


• Continuously develop knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of a professional Painter and Decorator

Customer Service / Working Around Students


Develop positive working relationships with staff, students, residents and visitors, demonstrating professionalism and excellent customer service at all times.



Successful completion of the apprenticeship may provide opportunities to progress into a permanent Estates Operative or trade-based role, subject to organisational requirements and performance.




Please take time to review the job description attached.


Please upload a CV/Resume* with details of your full employment history (since leaving school, including education, employment and voluntary work) including reasons for any gaps in employment. This should also include a statement of the personal qualities and experience you believe are relevant to your suitability for the post and how this meets the job description and person specification requirements. Your CV/Resume* will be re-produced in a standard format by the system (without personal identifiers) to assist us in our anonymised shortlisting process.



Safeguarding Commitments




As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on, or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further information.




Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are available

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria:

• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths, or willingness to work towards achieving these qualifications as part of the apprenticeship programme


• Commitment to travel to training provider where needed


• Interest in painting, decorating or construction trades


• Willingness to learn new practical skills


• Positive attitude towards training and development


• Good communication skills


• Ability to follow instructions

For further information on person specification please read the job description attached

Benefits

Join Our Business Support Services Team




Behind every successful service at QAC is a dedicated team of professionals providing the essential support that enables our students, clients, staff, and visitors to thrive. We are looking for talented and committed individuals to join our Business Support Services teams across a range of specialist areas.




Our Business Support functions play a vital role in ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient operation of the charity. Whether supporting people, finances, technology, facilities, or frontline customer services, every role contributes to our mission of empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence and fulfilment.




Our Business Support Services is built up of:

• Human Resources (HR) – Supporting recruitment, employee wellbeing, learning and development, employee relations, and ensuring colleagues have the support they need to succeed.


• Finance – Providing financial management, budgeting, payroll, procurement, and financial administration services that help the organisation operate effectively and sustainably.


• Reception and Customer Services – Creating a welcoming and professional first impression for students, clients, visitors, and stakeholders, while providing information, support, and administrative assistance.


• Health and Safety – Promoting a culture of safety and wellbeing, ensuring compliance with legislation and supporting the creation of safe environments across our campus and services.


• Estates and Facilities – Maintaining our buildings, grounds, accommodation, and facilities to ensure they remain safe, accessible, and fit for purpose.


• IT and Resources – Delivering technology solutions, technical support, assistive technologies, and learning resources that enable staff, students, and clients to work, learn, and live independently.

Working within our Business Support teams offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to an organisation with a strong social purpose. While these roles may not involve direct support delivery, they are fundamental to ensuring our services run effectively and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the people we support.




This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative and values-driven organisation where your skills and expertise will help drive excellence across the charity.




If you are professional, proactive, and passionate about making a difference behind the scenes, we'd love to hear from you



Our benefits include;

Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and/or as appropriate)

• Access to on site car parking


• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)


• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)


• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)


• Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff


• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing


• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services


• Annual Flu vaccination/voucher


• Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers


• Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage


• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)


• Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities


• Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)


• Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period)


• Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service


• Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)


• Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)


• On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)


• Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding)


• Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.

This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and/or change

About Queen Alexandra Charity

Queen Alexandra Charity (QAC) provides education, residential support, community services and enterprises in support of young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.




Education is provided through a national residential College that supports a diverse range of student/client abilities and needs. Our College provides education, training, routes to independent living and employment through an innovative, holistic approach to learning and support. It offers a vibrant, varied and fun educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are small and support levels high.




We have educational and learning sites based in Birmingham, one of Europe’s most welcoming and vibrant cities, with a rich and diverse culture. Our main site is based in Harborne, a pleasant leafy Birmingham suburb, on a friendly and green 8-acre campus with excellent facilities and resources. In addition we also have Pinewood Campus which is located on a business park and is designated to employment progression.




Clients within our Residential Services programme still require support and the aim is to deliver a service that provides them with the means to live independently/semi independently into the future. Many clients are either in education, voluntary work or paid employment not linked to QAC directly.




Our Community Services based at our Umberslade Campus in Stirchley include a supporter worker service, women's group, men's group, LGBTQ plus group, Saturday Socials, The Night Owl Experience (disability friendly night club visit in Birmingham City Centre).




All students, clients and staff are supported within safe and well-resourced environments.




QAC makes a positive difference to the lives and learning of people with disabilities and learning difficulties. We have high expectations of staff, students and clients whilst being responsive, innovative and collaborative. Our Charity values drive how we work with students, clients, stakeholders and as a team




We continue to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre, who are proud of QAC’s achievements and who wish to be an integral part of ongoing and future successes




As Leaders in Diversity which drives the culture at QAC and we warmly welcome applications from individuals who share our values, from all backgrounds, to add to our committed and diverse team.