Dulux Academy October 2023

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Professional BUILDING ■ FLOORING ■ PLUMBING ■ ROOFING ■ CARPENTRY ■ PAINTING AND DECORATING ■

TRAINING& UPSKILLING

in association with

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT WWW.DULUXACADEMY.CO.UK

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TRAINING & UPSKILLING ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

EMPOWERING DECORATORS: INSIDE THE DULUX ACADEMY COMMUNITY

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ince its inception, the Dulux Academy has trained over 15,000 people. The team recognise the importance of bringing together tradespeople in a supportive, open and welcoming environment. As such, those who enter the Dulux Academy’s doors benefit from in-person courses, as well as wide range of other resources – including virtual training via Dulux Academy Live, personalised online learning with The HUB and access to the private Dulux Academy Facebook forum. For access to an even wider community, decorators can choose to be part of the Dulux Select Decorator scheme if they meet the entry criteria and on-site assessment requirements.

The Dulux Academy also hosts networking events throughout the year, such as its Open House summer event. It brings people together for a day of exploring what the Dulux Academy has to offer and is an opportunity to meet the expert training team, network with suppliers and get hands on with the latest painting tools.

At the event, we caught up with decorators to find out more about the Dulux Academy and why training with the team there is so beneficial.

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52 OCTOBER 2023 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

Established in 2016, the Dulux Academy represents the home of painting and decorating excellence. It supports those looking to enhance their decorating skills (including professional painters, multi-trades and apprentices), and its team of expert trainers are focused on enhancing knowledge and providing insights that empower attendees to build their business and create stunning spaces their customers will love.

The Dulux Academy also hosts networking events throughout the year, including its Open House summer event.

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Nigel Bennett, Director of Bennetts Decorating Services and Dulux Select Decorator, commented: “I’ve been to the Dulux Academy many times to take part in courses and product testing days. I attended Nigel Bennett, Director of Bennetts the Digital Murals & Feature Walls Decorating Services course which I found very interesting. I also got to learn about all the different digital mural options that are available and hone my wallpapering skills.”

Speaking on the Open House event, Nigel added: “I always enjoy coming down to the [Dulux] Academy and Open House was no exception. I was able to pick the brains of the suppliers and meet up with fellow decorators, which I don’t get to do as often as I’d like.”

Jade Gordon of Deja New Decorating also attended the Dulux Academy Open House event and said: “I took an Introduction To Spray course at the Dulux Academy and Matt Gray (the Jade Gordon of Deja trainer) encouraged me to come New Decorating along for freebies, BBQ, and music – so I had to be there.

“My favourite thing about Open House was testing out the spray guns with Graco. It was great to see what products are on the market and what new tools are available. I’m looking to invest in a spray machine to help my business and once I’ve done that, I’ll certainly be back at the [Dulux] Academy to take the advanced spray course. “

It’s all about community Nicola Holmes has been working at the Dulux Academy for four years. She runs the colour and design courses, which explain colour theory and help decorators provide expert colour advice to their customers. She commented: “The Dulux Academy is an amazing place and sometimes people are surprised by all that we have to offer. We are here to help and want to give decorators the knowledge to make their business better. Being a decorator can be quite lonely but events like Open House are great as it brings people together and reassures them that they are not on their own.”

Nicola is just one of the Dulux Academy’s expert Skills Development Consultants.

Also, on the team are: ● Matt Gray – who specialises in artisan craft effects. His marbling and effect finishes have even been used on a number of high-profile projects. ● Mark Rigby – the Dulux Academy’s wallpaper expert who, during a highly successful career, has won several industry awards and now brings over 30 years’ experience into the role. ● Tony Pearson-Young – whose expertise lies in spraying. Tony owned his own business and received a number of industry awards prior to joining the Dulux Academy team. ● Scott Oliver – a Dulux Academy partner who specialises in early career

advice. He holds over 25 years of painting and decorating teaching experience.

In 2023 the Dulux Academy also welcomed new associates: ● James Wildish – offers spray expertise, with a focus on uPVC spraying. ● Steve Dove – who provides training in business development and communication. ● Georgie Baker – focuses on bringing decorators the tools and skills they need to help develop their social media platforms, websites and boosting their SEO.

the talents they have acquired.

In addition, attendees are granted entry to The HUB – a personalised online platform providing round-the-clock access to learning and networking opportunities.

This resource-rich space offers supplementary materials for enhancing skills and deepening knowledge. Users can create their own learning plans and pick between a wide range of resources including Academy Live courses that allow users to interact and engage in real time – or E-learning options that can be completed at the user’s own pace.

Dulux Academy: Locations The Dulux Academy’s aim is to make training as accessible as possible – to as many people as possible. That is why it delivers courses across the UK within its purpose-built locations or at one of its college partners. Dulux Academy courses are also available at select Dulux Decorator Centre stores nationwide. All facilities have both classroom and practical training spaces, so attendees can learn the theory and put it into practice to really hone their craft.

Continued support Once their in-person course is complete, Dulux Academy attendees are provided with access to the private Dulux Academy Facebook forum. Here, they can ask the Dulux Academy team and fellow tradespeople any questions, and proudly display their latest projects to showcase

SEE ALL LOCATIONS BY VISITING WWW.RDR.LINK/BAW045 TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DULUX ACADEMY AND ITS RANGE OF COURSES VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAW046

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