SHARON ATCHESON

		‘The best part of this job is the variety. I really enjoy the travelling and working in different places all the time. I work with lots of different types of people and the work changes every day. I’ve discovered that no matter how much you know there is always more to learn.’

PAINTER & DECORATOR
BRIAN KELLY PAINTING CONTRACTOR

When Sharon finished her GCSE’s she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. She did some work experience in childcare but realized she wanted to do something different where she would get out and about. She also knew that she wanted to do something practical - painting & decorating seemed ideal!

Sharon took up a training course with Belfast Institute and found a placement with a local employer. This was a small family firm and she worked daily with the boss who explained the work to her and helped her put into practice what she was learning in college. The work was wide and varied, working in different private houses, painting and wallpapering.

After some time she wanted to move to a bigger firm to improve her prospects so she joined her present company. The firm is based in Kircubbin but contracts can be located anywhere in Northern Ireland, which often means an early start in the morning. No two days are the same. The company has 3 or 4 sites operating at a time, so Sharon might work on any one of them working indoors and outdoors, in schools, office blocks, private houses and building sites. She works as part of a team usually with another painter but sometimes on site she has to work with other craftspeople like joiners and plasterers.

On site, Sharon is treated like any other worker. She has to follow instructions and work under pressure to get the job finished on time and to a high standard.

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