From the North East to Down Under

Taking industry training from the North East of England to Queensland, Australia, is no small undertaking. But that is exactly what Train the painter trainer Tom Whittleton has done, building on more than a decade of commitment to raising standards and creating recognised learning pathways for protective coatings operatives.

Tom is one of Train the painter’s longest-standing trainers, first becoming involved with the programme in 2014. After relocating to Australia, he took Train the painter with him, helping to establish the programme there and, since 2020, delivering training through ICB Training in Queensland.

At the heart of Train the painter is an accredited learning pathway developed specifically for coating operatives. Training in protective coatings application, abrasive blast cleaning and spray painting gives operatives the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications while building the practical skills needed in the workplace.

It is an approach Tom has supported from the outset, having recognised a significant gap in training during his own career in the coatings industry.

“There was a real lack of training for coating operatives. There was no entry level into the coating application industry with a specific qualification, which is why I supported Train the Painter,” said Tom.

Tom’s perspective comes from extensive hands-on experience. He worked his way through the industry as an abrasive blaster and spray painter before progressing to Coating Supervisor and then Coating Inspector, achieving ICorr Level 3.

He later established a protective coatings organisation in the North East of England which incorporated a dedicated training facility for coating operatives. The emphasis was firmly on practical learning, with replica offshore steel structures and ship double bottoms constructed to create realistic environments in which trainees could develop and demonstrate their skills.

The investment in the business and its approach to training were recognised when Tom received the ‘Best Small Company of the Year’ award.

Having owned coating application companies in both the UK and Australia, Tom understands the industry from both sides – the skills and competence employers require, and the need for operatives to have a clear route into the sector and opportunities to progress.

That experience continues to shape the training he delivers through ICB Training today.

More than a decade after first becoming involved with Train the painter, Tom renewed for another year last month, continuing a long-standing commitment to the programme and to developing coating operatives in Australia.

As a highly valued member of our Train the painter trainer network, Tom brings together experience in application, blasting, spraying, supervision, inspection, business ownership and training – ensuring that the learning delivered is grounded in the realities of the industry.

“I am proud to have trained coating operatives on both sides of the world, and I look forward to the next part of the journey, which includes the certification of coating operatives.”

From the North East to Down Under, Tom’s contribution demonstrates the value of combining accredited training, a clear learning pathway and genuine industry experience to support the next generation of protective coatings operatives.