Welcome to Specialist Trade Courses

Specialist Trade Courses is a multi-award winning training organisation headed by master-craftsman Mark Humphreys. We deliver high-quality, intensive courses in tiling, plastering and painting and decorating which combine hands-on skills with practical business advice like how to attract customers and produce estimates. As a result, 96% of our students go on to earn money as a self-employed tradesperson, and we’ve helped launch more than 3000 new businesses to date.

Come and spend a day at one of our training centres completely free of charge, and you’ll get a unique opportunity to look around our facilities and talk to our experienced trainers about what you can expect from our courses.

Tiling Courses

Virtually all private and commercial properties have tiling in them somewhere, so professional tilers are always in great demand. New trends in ceramics and innovations like under-floor heating make this a fast-growing business, and as a result, STC-trained tilers are called on to work on a range of projects nationwide. Our tiling courses teach you everything you need to quickly build a successful tiling business that will give you great rewards and the lifestyle you want.

Find out more about our tiling courses

Decorating Courses

Becoming a professional painter and decorator involves a lot more than first meets the eye. That’s why our courses are designed to help you with every aspect of taking on a job. We teach you about substrates, surface preparation, measuring and pricing work, applying undercoats, the properties of different types of paint and wallpaper setting out, and then we show you how to set up on your own. We even give you a marketing plan to help you successfully launch your business.

Find out more about our decorating courses

Plastering Courses

Plastering skills are required on virtually every new-build and refurbishment project undertaken, so learning this trade will mean you’re always in demand. Plastering is also a great springboard into other trades – master the basics and you’ll find other skills are faster and easier to learn. We offer courses in hand plastering and fibrous plastering for everyone from beginners to pros – and unlike other plastering courses, we also give you full business start-up training so you can start earning straight away.

Find out more about our plastering courses

As featured on the BBC's Working Lunch
 The above clip was filmed by the BBC and shown on their Working Lunch program on BBC2.