Venetian Plastering Training for Ely

Ely is a small cathedral city, and Venetian plastering training is not available there. The courses are taught at the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham, so anyone in Ely or the villages of the Fens who wants to learn the craft travels to Birmingham for three or four days.

That includes self employed decorators and one person plastering businesses, builders who take on refurbishments, people who run holiday lets and want to finish them well, and anyone looking for a hands on change of career. You do not need to have used decorative plaster before.

What the work looks like around Ely

Ely is much smaller than the big cities, so the market is shaped by the character of its buildings and the people who own them rather than by volume. That suits a decorator who values quality over quantity.

The cathedral, often called the Ship of the Fens, dominates the skyline, and the streets around it hold medieval and Georgian buildings. Beyond the city are fenland villages with older cottages and farmhouses. Solid old walls need materials that let moisture pass, so lime based plasters and Marmorino are the natural choice. The riverside and the city centre also have pubs, cafes, guest accommodation and independent shops where a characterful wall helps a business make an impression.

Cambridgeshire is a growing county, and newer homes in and around Ely have flat modern walls that suit polished plaster. A decorator who can talk about both kinds of wall, old and new, and recommend the right finish for each, comes across as a specialist rather than a general painter.

Because the area is smaller, word of mouth matters. A single well finished fireplace wall or hallway can lead to the next call, which is why panels and photographs from your training are worth keeping.

Which course to book

Take the Beginner Course to start, the Advanced Course to deepen your skills, or 1 to 1 Training to build a programme around a goal. Each day begins at 10am and finishes at 5pm.

• Beginner Course, 3 days, £750 per person. Designed for people with no experience.
• Advanced Course, 4 days, £1,200 per person. Designed for those who have done the first course or work on site.
• 1 to 1 Training, 3 days, £1,500 in total. Open to every level and shaped by you.

The Beginner Course is the best way to understand the whole process, from surface preparation to burnishing. The Advanced Course works on artificial rock, textured Marmorino, stencil work, vein work and colour blending. A one person business might prefer 1 to 1 Training, since the days can be spent on the exact finishes you plan to sell.

Compare the options in group course or 1 to 1 training. Dates, when listed, are on the training page, with a form to register interest.

Travelling to the Academy

Students come to Birmingham by train or by car. The city is central in England, and the course lasts three or four days, so book somewhere to stay when you book your seat.

Zavoré holds a partner rate at a hotel close to the Academy, which you can use by quoting Zavoré. Airport or station pickup can be added to your booking, with the price based on where you arrive. Lunch and refreshments are included each day, and there are no more than six students on a course.

Using your skills back in Ely

You return with your own finished panels, a Zavoré certificate and trade pricing on Zavoré materials. The private course group and helpline are there for life, which is useful if you are working alone and want a second opinion on a tricky wall. Advanced students are also helped to find, price and win a first paid decorative job.

Take a look at Venetian plastering in Ely to see the work Zavoré offers, and visit the shop for materials with tracked UK delivery. If you are weighing up a new direction, our guide to starting a decorative plastering career may help.

Questions about Venetian plastering training for Ely

Can I take Venetian plastering training in Ely?

Not in Ely. The Zavoré Academy in Birmingham runs the courses, and students from Ely and the Fens travel there.

Is the training suitable for a one person decorating business?

Yes. The courses are open to sole traders and small firms. 1 to 1 Training lets you spend all three days on the finishes you plan to offer.

Is it useful for owners of holiday lets or guest rooms?

It can be. Anyone who wants to understand how a wall is prepared and finished, including a property owner, is welcome on the Beginner Course.

What is included in the course price?

Tuition from working applicators, all materials and tools, lunch and refreshments, your finished panels, a Zavoré certificate, trade pricing on Zavoré materials and a private group with a helpline for life.

To book a bench, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. Half the price holds your place and the rest is paid on the day, or book online and pay in full. See the training page for dates.