Peterlee Campus
Course overview
Think a career in the construction industry might be for you? Bricklaying is a fantastic career option with loads of opportunities available in our area, and EDC is here to help you develop the practical tool skills and basic knowledge you’ll need to take steps towards your future career in bricklaying!
For your practical sessions, you’ll be situated in EDC’s huge Painting & Decorating workshop. This specialist area is found on the first floor of our Peterlee campus, and has loads of space for you to work in alongside other students.
The painting and decorating workshop has a range of paints and materials for you to use, and our specialist lecturer – who has years of experience in the construction industry – will teach you everything you need to know all the way from preparing surfaces, to painting full rooms and wallpapering.
Also incorporated into the study programme will be functional skills (maths & English), tutorial, work experience, academic tutorial and relevant trips & guest visits.
Topics
The following areas are covered in the course:
Construction Health & Safety
The Construction Industry
Preparing Surfaces
Painting Walls & Ceilings
Applying Foundation and Plain Papers
Standard Decorative Finishes
Cost Calculations
Erect & Dismantle of Access Equipment
Employment in Construction
Repair & Maintain Masonry
Repair & Maintain Plasterwork
Personal Skills
Personal Wellbeing
Environmental Awareness
Construction Community Project
Job opportunities after this course
• Commercial Painter and Decorator
• Commercial Spray Painter
• Domestic Painter and Decorator
• Education and Training
• Health and Safety
• Interior Designer
• Project Manager
• Set Designer for Film / Theatre
...and so much more!
Further study options after this course
Upon successful completion of the level 1 Diploma you may progress onto Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry for Painting & Decorating, alongside demonstration of programme-ready attendance, behaviours and attitudes.
The student must have achieved a minimum of Entry 3 Maths and English in the previous year with continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant.
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are reviewed annually and are subject to change as qualifications, awarding bodies and assessment criteria evolve.
Learners coming on to this programme will be expected to carry out a skills test.
For the latest qualifications and grades required by course type/level, please follow this link to check the most up-to-date entry criteria for direct entry and internal progression at the college.
How is this course assessed?
You will be assessed throughout the course, for each unit to be completed you must complete a practical skills test and a theory questions. There are 2 online exams part of the programme.
Practical assessments are completed in the workshop upon completion of each unit.
When does the course start?
September 2025
Length of course
11 Hours per week.
Fees & Funding
Please read our Course Fees & Funding page.
How to apply
To apply online for this course, please click on the 'Apply' button at the top/bottom of this page.
Alternatively, if you need assistance with your application or you would like to apply over the phone or using a paper-based application form, please call Student Services on 0191 743 0149.
If you're not quite ready to apply for this course and would like some more information or to speak to a member of staff then please click on the 'Enquire' button at the top/bottom of this page.
