Plasterer and Painter (Full Time)

Train in painting and plastering. Then work on the Army’s biggest building projects, all round the world. Get a trade, qualifications and an exciting lifestyle.

Everything you need to know about the role, requirements and what you’ll gain.

Age

You can join between the ages of 16 – 36. At the time of your application you will need to be between 15 years & 7 months old and35 years & 6 months old.

You can start your training as a Junior Soldier at the Army Foundation College from the age of 16 years and 6 months.

GCSE Grade A–D/9-3, or Scottish National 4, in at least English Language, Maths and one other subject.

Need help?

Unsure about any requirements? Our recruitment team is here to help.

Painting, plastering, tiling; you’re the person who adds the finishing touches to Army building projects. You could be working on hospitals, headquarters, military plants or bases, anywhere in the world. Whatever the building, you’ll get it ready for use. First-class training teaches you about plaster boarding, scaffolding, glazing and more – skills you can use in the civilian world. Meanwhile, you can boost your CV by taking all kinds of qualifications to improve your Maths and English, for example. When you’re not working, you can have plenty of fun with good mates doing sports and Adventurous Training.
Plasterer and Painter is a Trade role in the Royal Engineers. All the Royal Engineer soldier job roles are divided into 5 groups. When you apply to the Engineers, you will apply to the trade group rather than the specific trade.

Learn a host of trades including plaster boarding, painting, and tiling

Become expert in associated skills like glazing and scaffolding

Deploy on operations all over the world

Carry out work on a variety of military and civilian projects

Experience Army sports and adventurous training

Step 1
Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.

If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do a basic military training course at Harrogate .

If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training .

Step 2
Then it’s off to the Royal School of Military Engineering near Camberley for 12 weeks. Here, you learn military engineering skills such as knots and lashings, demolition, mine warfare and bridge building. Then it’s 24 weeks at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham, learning about dry lining, painting, wall and floor tiling, planning and site safety.

You’ll earn £27,282 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.

Level 3 Military Engineering Construction Technician Apprenticeship

(contains the following pathways: Heating and Plumbing, Carpenter and Joiner, Building & Structural Finisher, Plant Operator Mechanic)

From application to training, you can expect a timeline of around 3-6 months.

Timelines can vary based on individual circumstances.

1. 1-2 days

Medical Checks

Next you'll have your medical records checked. This could take some time as it's a really important step to make sure it's safe for you to join.

4. 1-3 months

Assessment centre

Attend a 2-day residential assessment where you'll complete fitness tests, cognitive assessments, medical examinations, and team exercises.

5. 3 - 5 months

Security clearance

Background and security checks are conducted. This can take longer depending on your personal circumstances and history.

Real Army Life

Your accommodation

Take a look inside the accommodation you’ll live in during basic training.

Food & Meals

Train in modern gyms and facilities built to keep you fit, strong and ready.

Ask a Soldier

Get honest answers from real soldiers in the roles you’re interested in. Read previously asked questions or ask your own.

You can expect to travel all over the world as a Royal Engineer. In my nearly 15 years in the military as a serving Royal Engineer I have deployed on operations and exercises all over the the UK, Germany, Cyprus, Afghanistan, Turkey, Italy, France and Belgium.

As a Royal Engineer, you can expect opportunities to work and train in the UK and overseas. Sappers support operations globally, using their skills to solve real-world engineering challenges in different environments and alongside a wide range of Army units.

Rob Needham

Anybody who has a good general level of fitness will be absolutely fine. Basic training is about taking you from being fit to being Army fit.

You don’t need to arrive as a finished athlete. If you’re reasonably active and willing to put the effort in, you’ll improve quickly with training and support.

Royal Military Police

It’s similar to a normal working day, with gyms, food halls and social spaces available on camp.

Living on a base gives you a good balance of structure and normal day‑to‑day life. Your days usually have a routine, like training, work and meals, but there’s also plenty of time to relax. You live close to the people you work with, so there’s a strong sense of community. In the evenings or downtime, you might go to the gym, watch TV, play sport or just catch up with mates. Everything you need is close by, which makes settling in much easier.

Holly J

Royal Adjutant's Corps

There truly is no job like being in the Army, where colleagues become your friends.

You’re living, training and working with the same people, so friendships build very quickly.

Yes. Everyone starts in the same position, learning together and supporting each other. That shared journey makes it easy to form friendships and feel like you belong.

Kelvin R

Infantry

Phase 1 training will gradually push your limits, both physically and mentally, and you learn a lot about what you’re capable of.

Basic training is where you learn the fundamentals of Army life, from fitness and discipline to teamwork and core soldiering skills. It’s challenging, but you’re supported every step of the way as you build confidence and resilience.

Royal Army Medical Services

Your future starts here

Every Plasterer and Painter started exactly where you are now. Take the first step.

Could you look after all the Army’s heating and plumbing, all over the world? It’s a big job - but you’ll get great training and support.

Fixing bomb-damaged buildings, building runways in the Army, Bricklaying is an important job. With worldwide travel and fantastic training, you'll be set for life.