Foundation Trade Readiness Programme - FTRP

16/10/2026

🚨🔥 WILL’S BACK… AND LOOK WHO’S GETTING STUCK IN! 👀💪

Our Will is back in action on the Foundation Trade Readiness Programme (FTRP)! 🙌🔥

🛠️ Scoring out cracks
💪 Applying Peel Stop
✅ Skimming and filling
🔥 Learning new skills with every step!

It’s not just about getting the job done… it’s about building confidence, developing practical skills and taking pride in your work! 👏❤️

THIS IS WHAT GIVING PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY LOOKS LIKE! 💯

🙌 Come on, Facebook… LET’S GIVE WILL SOME LOVE!

👇 Who wants to see more of Will’s progress?

15/10/2026

🎨🔥 LEARN THE TRADE, BUILD YOUR FUTURE! 💪🖌️

🏆 Foundation Trade Readiness Programme – Kent

🌐 www.FTRPKent.co.uk

12/10/2026

🏆 Well, this is a bit surreal… the Foundation Trade Readiness Programme - FTRP up there with the big boys! 😅

Honestly, I had to look twice.

To see FTRP named as a finalist for “Training Provider of the Year” at the Trade Decorator Awards 2026, alongside names like these, is something I never imagined. 🤯

I’m just trying to do my bit for young people who need someone to give them a chance.

No fancy classrooms, no big teams. Just me, over 20 years of experience, some paintbrushes, real jobs & a belief that a bit of time, patience & encouragement can make a difference to someone’s future.

Sometimes it’s not just about teaching someone a trade. It’s about helping them realise they’re capable of more than they thought.

I know we’re the little fish in a very big pond, and that’s absolutely fine by me.

Winning isn’t something I’m expecting.
Just being considered alongside these fantastic training providers is more than enough.

If FTRP helps even one young person find their confidence and a way into the trade, then it’s doing what I set out to do.

Feeling very grateful, a little overwhelmed & incredibly proud just to be included.

Not bad for one bloke with a few paintbrushes and an idea! 🎨👏

08/10/2026

Feeling genuinely humbled to have been named a finalist for Mentor of the Year at the Trade Decorator Awards 2026. 🙏

I’ve never been one for recognition. For me, it’s always been about giving something back, sharing what I’ve learnt along the way and hopefully helping someone else find their feet.

Seeing people grow in confidence, develop their skills and start believing in what they’re capable of is what makes it all worthwhile.

I’m fortunate to work alongside some brilliant people who care just as much about making a difference, and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported what we’re trying to achieve through FTRP.

There are so many good people in our industry who quietly give their time to help others, so to be recognised in this way really does mean a lot.

Congratulations to all the other finalists, and thank you to everyone who has played a part in this journey.

At the end of the day, if I’ve helped even one person believe in themselves and take that next step, then that’s something worth being proud of. 💙

08/10/2026

🏆 FINALIST – Training Provider of the Year 2026! 🙏❤️

Feeling incredibly humbled & honoured to see FTRP recognised alongside some of the biggest and most respected names in the painting and decorating industry.

We’re a small programme with a big heart, simply trying to change lives, create opportunities and make a difference.

To be recognised at this level is something we’ll never take for granted.

Whatever happens, we’re already incredibly proud just to be here.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has believed in us and supported our journey. It means more than words can say. 🙏

04/10/2026

💚 EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN THEM. ❤️

Not every youngster shines in a classroom. Not everyone knows where they’re heading, and that’s absolutely okay.

Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity, a little patience and someone who genuinely believes in you.

Through the Foundation Trade Readiness Programme - FTRP I want to help young people discover more than just practical trade skills.

Confidence. Purpose. Self-worth. A future they can feel proud of. 🎨🛠️

I’ve experienced my own difficult chapters, and they’ve taught me something I’ll never forget…

Nobody deserves to feel written off, invisible or not good enough.

❤️ TO THE PARENTS: Your child doesn’t need to follow everybody else’s path to achieve something wonderful. Every youngster has potential; sometimes they just need the right environment and someone willing to see it.

💚 TO THE YOUNGSTERS: Your grades don’t define you. Your past doesn’t define you. You matter, your dreams matter, and you have something valuable to offer this world.

And if nobody has told you lately, I believe in you.

I’m here to encourage, listen and help wherever I can.

Because sometimes the greatest thing we can build isn’t a business, a career or a beautifully decorated home…

It’s a young person’s belief in themselves. ❤️

Somewhere in Kent is a young person who hasn’t yet discovered just how capable they are.

Together, let’s make sure they get that chance.

Much luv

John 💚
John Professional Decorating Services
Foundation Trade Readiness Programme

🌐 www.FTRPKent.co.uk

💚 Parents, friends, tradespeople and local businesses - please share and help us reach the youngsters who need that little bit of encouragement or opportunity.

Let’s build more than skills.
Let’s build brighter futures. ❤️

03/10/2026

30/09/2026

🚨 PAINTERS & DECORATORS — WE WANT YOU INVOLVED. 🎨

Could your experience help inspire the next generation of decorators?

At Foundation Trade Readiness Programme, we’re not just teaching people how to paint a wall.

We’re teaching what it takes to become TRADE READY. 💪

🎨 Preparation
🖌️ Cutting in
🏠 Working in real homes
🤝 Respecting the client
🧠 Problem-solving
✨ Taking pride in the finish

Real rooms. Real clients. Real challenges. Real trade skills.

And this page isn’t just about showing what we do — we want the trade involved too.

So whether you’ve been on the brush for 1 year or 40+ years, FOLLOW OUR PAGE and get involved.

Share your knowledge.
Join the debates.
Give your advice.
And help us inspire the next generation of painters & decorators. 👊🎨

🔥 NOW LET’S SEE WHO WINS THIS ONE…

👇 HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN ON THE BRUSH?

1? 10? 20? 30? 40+?

Drop your number below — let’s find the most experienced decorator following our page! 😂👇

The Foundation Trade Readiness Programme - FTRP

The only programme of its kind in Kent.

30/09/2026

🚨 REAL JOB. REAL CLIENT. REAL DECISION. 🚨

This is the Foundation Trade Readiness Programme - FTRP👷‍♂️🎨

Today’s challenge?

🟦 TEAM TAPE vs 🎨 TEAM FREESTYLE

We’re working in a real client’s bedroom where the paintable wallpaper is staying.

No stripping everything back.
No freshly plastered walls.
No perfect training-room conditions.

Because that isn’t always how the real world works.

Sometimes the client says “I want that to stay” - you have to adapt, protect what’s there and still achieve the best finish possible.

🎥 In this video, we look at TAPE vs NO TAPE when cutting in.

But there’s a bigger lesson behind it.

Trade readiness isn’t just about learning how to hold a brush.

It’s learning to assess a job.
Understand the client’s requirements.
Choose an appropriate method.
Problem-solve.
And take pride in the finished result.

That’s the difference between simply learning a skill & learning how to apply it in the real world.

Now we want the professionals involved. 👀👇

DECORATORS — WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH?

🟦 TAPE — preparation and protection first?

🎨 FREESTYLE — develop that steady hand and learn to cut in?

Pick ONE and tell us WHY. 👇

And learners - read the comments.
This is where experience gets passed on. 💪

Real rooms. Real clients. Real challenges. Real trade skills.

Foundation Trade Readiness Programme.

The only programme of its kind in Kent.

28/09/2026

💙 A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR FTRP - AND NOW WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT 🇬🇧

Today, I received an official acknowledgement from the GOV.UK Contact the PM service confirming:

“Your message has been passed to the relevant Government Department for their attention.”

For the Foundation Trade Readiness Programme - FTRP this matters.

FTRP has been built around a straightforward belief: young people who are ready to work hard deserve a genuine opportunity to show what they can do.

It’s a Six-week programme combines practical painting and decorating experience with workplace standards, assessment, CV preparation and clear next-step planning towards employment, apprenticeships or further training.

But building the programme is only part of the journey.

To create more opportunities for young people, we need people to open doors.

We need employers willing to look at emerging talent.

We need schools, colleges & training providers willing to explore another route for young people who thrive through practical learning.

We need local authorities, organisations and industry partners willing to have a conversation about what could be possible.

And sometimes, we simply need someone reading this post to say:

“I know somebody you should speak to.”

The message from No. 10 does not mean FTRP has received Government endorsement, funding or approval. It means exactly what the official acknowledgement says: our message has been passed to the relevant Government Department for attention.

That is why this moment is important - but what happens next matters even more.

FTRP is ready to have serious conversations with organisations that can help turn practical training into real opportunities for young people.

If you are an employer, training provider, school, college, local authority or organisation that could help - or you can introduce us to someone who can - we would genuinely like to hear from you.

Please share this post. One introduction, one conversation or one opportunity could make a meaningful difference.

This is bigger than a document.

It is about giving young people a chance to build a future with their own hands. 💙

Foundation Trade Readiness Programme (FTRP)

Practical skills. Professional standards.
A route forward.