Walsall College was again selected to train the second intake of budding interior designers from the Homebase Design and Decorating Academy,  helping them brush up on their painting and decorating skills.

Homebase’s pioneering programme sees design enthusiasts from across the UK join the home improvement store for a year of training where they learn tricks of the trade from industry experts, including Homebase suppliers – Dulux, Harris, and Graham & Brown. As well as gaining recognised qualifications, those completing the scheme to a satisfactory level may receive an offer to progress their career within Homebase stores.

The academy students completed an intense 5-day City and Guilds training course in the college’s specialist workshops at Green Lane Campus, which was designed and delivered by expert staff to ensure they have the latest knowledge and practical skills in painting and decorating.

The bespoke course covered various stages of painting and decorating including how to prepare different surfaces, techniques in applying paint and wallpaper and how to choose the right tools and products for the job. It is designed to up-skill staff and ensure they know the latest industry trends to help them when they advise customers in Homebase Design Centres. All six trainees passed the course with distinctions.

The college has been working in partnership with Homebase, providing bespoke courses since it was selected as the preferred training provider in the West Midlands in 2012. It has helped the retailer drive up regional sales by upskilling customer service staff and increasing their product knowledge.

Last year, following the launch of the academy, Walsall College trained the first cohort from programme and many have successfully gone on to gain employment with the retailer.

Curriculum Manager for Construction at Walsall College, Barry Hill said: “We are delighted to have again been selected by Homebase to support its national academy programme with training, after the success of the first year. Trainees on the course were from all areas of the UK including Scotland and Newcastle.

“Our Painting and Decorating team is constantly striving to ensure it is at the forefront of the industry and this partnership is great testament of that.”