Spotlight on Talent: Hanif Momin

Studied: Levels 1,2 and 3 Painting and Decorating

Progression : Apprentice with The Bell Group

Hanif was unemployed when he moved from London to the West Midlands. As some of his friends were working as painters and decorators, Hanif decided to pursue the trade through a course at Walsall College. After impressing Bell group during his work placement, Hanif is now one of its three new apprentices.

Moving to a new area meant that Hanif was out of work. Faced with a tough job market, he knew he needed to upskill.

“I was sitting around the house doing nothing. I wanted to do something new, and as a couple of my friends are painters and decorators, I thought I’d go to college and start up.”

During his third year, Hanif undertook a work placement with Bell Group, who were impressed with his abilities.

“I spent one week with the company, helping its staff paint and decorate at the University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall campus. By the end of the placement, they offered me an apprenticeship.”

Hanif has developed a range of technical and personal skills during his course, including a belief in himself.

“I learned a wide range of skills during the course, such as painting, rolling and wallpapering. But more importantly, I gained more confidence in myself thanks to the supportive tutors I had. They all told me I could do really well, and I don’t think I would have developed that mindset had I not gone to Walsall College.”

Four months into his apprenticeship, Hanif is enjoying the experiences so far.

“What I enjoy most about my apprenticeship is the opportunities that are coming with the job. I travel from place to place, and I’m doing something I enjoy whilst being paid for it. I also enjoy working with other people with experience and I’m learning from them continuously.”

Hanif now plans to improve his skills and feels that the course has helped him find a job he loves.

“I plan to enhance my skills further with Bell Group. I want to be able to do what I do with speed, whilst maintaining a high quality standard.

Before I joined the college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But this course at Walsall College has given me an insight into a career I was interested in, and what it would be like working in that environment on a day-to-day basis.”