Pictured above: Dan McTaggart, Zane Fell and Stuart Pattinson
Zane Fell completes painting & decorating apprenticeship with flying colours
We’re delighted to celebrate the success of Zane Fell, who has officially completed his Level 2 Painting & Decorating Apprenticeship at Carlisle College—and impressively, he finished ahead of schedule. Zane’s quick learning, prior experience, and strong work ethic allowed him to complete the two-year programme early, demonstrating true dedication to mastering his craft.
His journey was supported by us, as we provided valuable workplace training and mentoring throughout the apprenticeship. A key figure in Zane’s success was his mentor, Stuart Pattinson, who played a pivotal role in guiding him on the job.
“Zane is a keen learner and took everything he learnt on board straightaway,” said Stuart. “It’s been great to see his progress and confidence grow. Congratulations to him—I’m sure he’ll be a great success in everything he does.”
We are also proud to support apprentices fairly. We choose to pay the National Living Wage to 18-year-olds, rather than the lower apprentice rate—recognising the value and contribution of young people like Zane from day one.
The apprenticeship was structured into three distinct phases: theory, practical, and a final professional discussion. Through these, Zane gained a wide range of skills—from painting techniques to the detailed craft of wallpapering. Carlisle College provided the academic foundation, while on-site experience brought those lessons to life.
Zane recalls the final assessment, a professional discussion with his tutor, as one of the most intense parts of the process. “It was more nerve-racking than hard,” he said, “but I passed with flying colours.”