Member Article

Leeds College Of Building Women Paint Positive Picture

More and more women are setting their sights on becoming painters and decorators, thanks to Leeds College of Building. Over the last five years the College has trained more than 100 women and this year’s intake are already learning a range of valuable skills.

Students are taught how to use a full range of painting and decorating equipment, the best ways to apply various oil and water based paints as well as about the safe use of ladders and towers. Also covered are wallpapering techniques and how to apply decorative finishes such as marbling and graining, sponge stippling, stencilling and broken colour.

Lecturer Martin Parr says: “Every year we aim to attract more female students to Leeds College of Building and it’s great to see so many women wanting to train as painters and decorators. It takes an eye for detail and a willingness to learn about technique, and I am sure all our students will enjoy a long and successful career in the decorating industry.”

Student Joanne Wright says: “I’ve always been very practical so I knew the building industry could be for me. Originally I was in two minds whether to enter a profession that typically has more men than women, but I’m really glad I decided to give it a go.

“The number of other female students was really surprising and it means we definitely don’t feel like a minority. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done and I’m really looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steven Wright .