
Able Skills is open 7 days every week – Please feel free to pop in and see what we do.
No Appointment Required * No Sales * No Pressure
As we are open 7 days - Courses can be completed either through the week (Mon-Fri) or at weekends (Sat-Sun) – All Course Times are: 08.30am - 16.30pm
A deposit will secure a course start date and any balance can be paid on the start date or spread over the period of your training – Interest Free!
Please call for details * Email us * Request a free brochure and DVD
Able Skills has their own accommodation available at £20 per night for those of you who are travelling longer distances to train with us.

Welcome to Able Skills Various Weekend Painting & Decorating Courses
At Able Skills we enjoy the luxury of being able to be open for 7 days every week which in turn allows us to be able to provide everybody with the opportunity to learn a new skill. Those of you who are unavailable to train through the week are given the opportunity to train at weekends to learn any aspect of Painting & Decorating.
Both our Intensive and Advanced Painting and Decorating courses are available over 2 consecutive weekend periods (per course) and will cover every aspect of the week long courses as possible.
These courses are suitable to anyone looking to try their hand at Painting and Decorating and who want to learn new skills in the correct manner.
We have simulated areas where you will be taught these new skills and where you will pick up very useful tips of the trade. Whether you are looking to learn for your own personal projects or you are considering a change of career, Able Skills weekend training options give you the opportunity to decide if Painting and Decorating is for you.
Painting & Decorating Progression and Qualifications
At Able Skills, we also deliver training and assessment for qualifications at weekends:
- 4 Week C&G Painting & Decorating Qualification
- 5 Week C&G Painting & Decorating Qualification
- 6 Week Level 2 C&G Painting & Decorating Qualification
- 7 Week Level 2 C&G Painting & Decorating Qualification or even an
- 8 Week Level 3 Painting & Decorating Qualification
These are hands-on, practical courses and you will be involved at every stage and will be participating throughout the course. It is therefore recommended you bring suitable clothing and for your own safety, steel capped footwear is essential. All tools and materials will be provided throughout your training period.
If you book the 2 weekend training options together, the package has a discount price which will save you £140.00
Weekend Intensive Painting and Decorating Course Fees are: £395.00
Weekend Advanced Painting and Decorating Course Fees are: £495.00
Book the 2 together - Intensive & Advanced @ Weekends: £750.00
The content for the weekend courses could differ slightly from the 5 day course due to having less time available however, we will aim to cover:
Weekend training for the Intensive Painting & Decorating course will cover:
- Health and Safety, PPE and safe working practices
- Correct use of tools and equipment used in this trade
- Preparation of new and old surfaces ready for painting
- Repairing imperfections in walls and wood ready for painting
- Application of water based products such as primers, undercoats, emulsion and eggshell using brushes and rollers
- Application of oil based products
- Cutting around obstructions, openings, fittings such as radiators, windows, sockets and switches
- How to use a roller effectively
- Cutting, pasting and hanging wallpaper
Weekend training for the Advanced Painting & Decorating course will cover:
- Accessing for painting & decorating such as erecting a small tower scaffold and detailed explanation of ladder safety
- Detailed underpinning knowledge of Health and Safety: Working at heights regulations
- Preparation of a full room area for a patterned wallpaper scheme
- Cross lining: Hanging lining paper horizontally as a base layer for wallpaper
- Application of emulsion and oil based paints for a pattern papered room
- Application of emulsion and oil based paints for a painted wallpaper scheme (anaglyptic, blown vinyl and wood engrained papers)
- Paper hanging: Hanging 2 pattern papers to a full room area:- one with set pattern design, one with drop pattern design
- Pastes and sizing
- New plaster substrates
- Dry lined substrates
- Surface defects: causes and cures
- Paper hanging defects: causes and cures
Progression at Able Skills is very important to us so if you are planning a career long term, are looking to start a Painting and Decorating business, gain training qualifications or are maybe considering a route to NVQ, Able Skills also offers comprehensive training packages which are available using weekend training.
Should you wish to further your education in Painting & Decorating; Able Skills can offer you City & Guilds qualifications. Please visit our 4 Week C&G Painting & Decorating , 5 Week C&G Painting & Decorating, 6 Week NVQ Painting & Decorating , 7 week NVQ Painting & Decorating or our 8 Week Level 3 Painting & Decorating pages for full details of these courses, content and payment plans.
Weekend Intensive Painting and Decorating Course Fees are: £395.00
Weekend Advanced Painting and Decorating Course Fees are: £495.00
Book the 2 together - Intensive & Advanced @ Weekends: £750.00 – saving £140.00!
Cost and Duration of Weekend Introduction to Painting & Decorating
Duration: 2 Weekends
Additional Information
Able Skills is open 7 days every week and most courses can be completed either through the week (Mon-Fri) or at weekends (Sat-Sun) – Please call for details
A deposit will secure your start date and any balance can be paid on the start date or spread over the period of your training – Interest Free!
For all workshop based training and/or assessment we recommend suitable clothing and for your safety, protective footwear is essential.
Painting & Decorating Courses at Ableskills Dartford
by Able Skills
Dean M
I took the Painting & Decorating Course and found both Instructors to be very helpful and always there to help and answer any questions. The facilities here are brilliant, I’ve picked up so much in a short time of training. I should be coming back for the plastering course and really looking forward to come back to Able Skills and would definitely recommend it to anyone. I could not have asked for better Teachers as they are both A1, thank you all for everything!
Dean A
I chose Able Skills to take my Wall papering course as they seemed very professional. The course was value for money. The tutors Mark & Mark were very helpful and explained everything in detail. I feel I have gained a lot and enjoyed my time on the course! I will be recommending to my friends.
Roy G
I found Able Skills on the internet and decided to train with them for Painting & Decorating. The instructors were approachable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and took time to repeat information to make sure it was understood. The course was value for money, it met with my expectations and will be recommending them to others.
William K
I took the 4 week C&G Painting & Decorating course through Able Skills. This course was perfect for me as I could work it in to suit my life and to be able to pay as you go is brilliant. I will be attending other courses with them and would recommend anyone looking to train within construction to contact Able Skills.
Min Bahadur
I chose to train with Able Skills as they have a lot of experience. The instructors are fantastic and helpful at any time. I would rate Able Skills as excellent.
Sher Gurung
Able Skills have employed experienced instructors. They have always created a friendly relationship between us (Ghurkhas), which broke the barriers and opened access to work easily at all times. Both Instructors supported and committed to our courses, so well done to them.
Dhiraj Davan
I used Able Skills for my painting & decorating training as they were highly recommended by my friend who had attended a course previously with them and they had an excellent reputation. The instructors provided all sorts of sources of information as their basic guideline. They took it gradually as the days went by which allowed us to understand the sequences very easily. The instructors are very experienced with broad knowledge upon this particular subject course. We are very fortunate to have worked under the supervision of these experienced instructors.
Simon P– 2 Day Wallpapering Course
Able Skills have so many different trades to choose from, that is why I decided to train with them. Mark was a very good, patient instructor. He praised us when we did well and gave clear information.
Jonathan D – 2 Day Wallpapering Course
I found my time with Able Skills very beneficial and helpful, Mark our tutor set me on the right direction.
Tonya H – Weekend Advanced Painting & Decorating Course
I found out about Able Skills after browsing the internet. I choose to train with Able Skills as the course offered good value for money and the centre was close to my home. Mark was an excellent tutor and he adapted the course to fit in with my needs, I would certainly recommend this course to family and friends.
Luke O’Grady
Important factors to me when deciding where to train were cost of course, recommendation and duration. I found Able Skills to be value for money and it met with all my expectations. I felt the first week went very slowly and it took a while to find my feet. Initially it was a bit overwhelming, but when I gained an understanding of basic painting techniques and where everything was located, I found I relaxed into the process and enjoyed the remaining unit. The tutor was very skilled and patient. He provided me with an insight, information and techniques that will be very useful. I particularly enjoyed the wallpapering and multi coloured techniques. I had an overall good experience with Able Skills.
Lokbahador Gurung
During my two week course, I gained knowledge about the painting & decorating. My Tutor Mark is one of the best tutors. He is very helpful and handles his students very smoothly. Mark is also able to speak Nepal language as well. So Mr Mark is Best!
Kevin Curling
Mark was a very polite to me and patient. He was an excellent instructor and I have gained a lot from this course. I give the centre an overall rating of excellent!
Kenneth Maclean
I have absolutely loved training for my NVQ Level 3. The quality of information and instruction is second to none. Such a laid back and realistic place to train. Mark is quality and has passed on all his inside knowledge which has given me massive confidence to move forward into civilian street. I can’t wait, I am indebted to Mark and Able Skills as a company for putting me through a great challenging 8 weeks. Thanks so much, I will be back and will most definitely recommend you to other service leavers.
David Line
The instructor was very knowledgeable and patient. He gave clear instruction on technique and allowed ample time to put them into practice. Many thanks for an enjoyable week.
Stephen Sampson
Excellent Instruction and help from Mark. Facilities good and real life scenarios for potential work places are good. I have enjoyed my four weeks here.
Bijay Gurung
Excellent tutor, very good way of teaching, very friendly and a nice course. Thanks to Mark.
Thomas Ingram
Mark was very helpful in explaining how it should be done by drawing all the correct ways it should be done. It was most important how it was put on the wall. He was very helpful and gave me lots of tips on what to do to improve on.
Durga Rai
Able Skills is very good for practical training. Everything you need is available and I recommend Able Skills to anyone that wants to improve or learn a new trade.
Tom Dexter
The teaching at Able Skills is really good, run well, not in any way like a school. The instructors understand when you struggle. There is friendly staff and I feel comfortable to approach any of them
KENNETH MSCCEAN – PAINTING AND DECORATING WEEKS 8 NVQ LEVEL 3
I heard about Able Skills though word and mouth and also on a search of the internet. I got told about Able Skills and how good it was there and also when I phoned up to book my course they understood how the army even better than me. It is close to my home and how easy it was to book and also that they have accommodation for only £20 a night is very reasonable. I am on my 2nd week of an 8 week painting and decorating course and I have learnt so much already even though i have had previous experience, the knowledge that mark passes on is second to none, very professional and knowledgeable and he is always aware at what stage you are at within your NVQ. How he keeps up is unbelievable. He is an excellent instructor his explanations and demonstrations are great and gives you exactly what you require and more about the industry outside in the real world. Will keep you up dated on my work.
GANESH PURJA MAGAR- 2ND WEEK OF AN 8 WEEK PAINTING AND DECORATING COURSE.
My friends told me about Able Skills, I didn’t consider anywhere else I don’t know about any other training company’s. I can’t say anything bad about Able Skills everything is good. I really enjoy my course. My instructor is always very helpful and friendly will like to do level 3 in the future.
LIL-PAINTING AND DECORATING 2 WEEKS OF AN 8 WEEK COURSE.
I found Able Skills on the internet. Able Skills is good for all their courses. I am enjoying my painting and decorating course at Able Skills and i like all the Able Skills staff. NO COMPLAINTES AT ALL.
Claire & Grant Young
We felt that we gained a lot out of our time and the course was awesome. I liked how mark checked work and ensured that all questions were answered as we worked through.
Aleksandr Petuhhov – 2 Day Wallpapering Course
I didn’t consider another training centre; Able Skills was my first choice. My main reason for choosing Able Skills is that they offer weekend courses and I thought the course prices were very reasonable. Able Skills have excellent tutors, the tutors are easy to talk to and give you help whenever you need it. They provided a good and positive working environment.
David Lloyd – 7 Weeks Painting and Decorating Course
I did consider other training centres but choose Able Skills because they allowed me to undertake the course at the weekends, which was important to me. Another great factor was that they allowed me to spread the payments interest free over my training period. I was very impressed with my tutor Mark, he was very knowledgeable and always willing to help and give me advice if it was required. I think the cost of accommodation was very reasonable.
John Edwards –2 Day Wallpapering Course
When I was looking for training provide I only considered Able Skills. One of the most important things for me is that Able Skills have a very good reputation. Able Skills tutors were there to help when I needed it and catered to my needs.
Able Skills has grown and so has the amount of students in attendance and we are being used by everyone right across the UK and abroad.
As a result of the increase in students, Able Skills has purchased 3 properties to accommodate the growing numbers of people travelling from distance.
Able Skills properties are licensed HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) and are fully equipped in line with local authority standards.
The properties will provide you with your own fully furnished room with washing facilities and TV. There are several bathrooms/WCs as well as fully fitted kitchens and a dining areas to eat and/or meet your fellow students.
Able Skills employs someone to maintain the properties on a regular basis and also to ensure that the property is being looked after by those staying.
We are very pleased to be able to offer this accommodation at £20 per night and we are keen to ensure that your time away from home is enjoyable and comfortable. The properties are situated close to all of our training centres and some have allocated private parking facilities.
This enables you to leave your vehicle in a safe and secure environment and make that short walk to whichever course you are attending.
We are a very popular choice of training centre and as a result we are very busy and so is our accommodation. We would recommend that you make every attempt to tie in any accommodation requirements at the time of booking your course.
If our accommodation is full, there are other local alternatives available which range from £20 per night upwards.
During your stay at Able Skills accommodation we will guarantee you a secure area to keep all of your belongings and additionally, we guarantee that the only people using this property are Able Skills students.
Should you require any additional information or wish to book training and accommodation, please do not hesitate to contact Gary, Angela or John on 01322 280 202.
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