Entries are now being accepted for the annual event that is open to painting and decorating students and apprentices across the UK who are working towards NVQ or Diploma Level 2 Award. The Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year 2012 competition aims to showcase fresh new talent, reward best practice and encourage young people to enter the industry.

The first stage of the competition will see a series of regional events take place in the spring, with the winners of these local heats then going on to take part in the national final. Devised by the experts at Johnstone’s, the young painters will complete tasks designed to test their skills in a number of key areas including preparation, application and ability to work from a written specification.

Megan Esmond from Johnstone’s comments: “Now in its eighth year, the Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year competition presents a fantastic opportunity for students and apprentices to demonstrate their talents and to make their mark in what is a very competitive industry. The accolade of ‘Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year’ would look great on anyone’s CV and with a great package of prizes worth £2000 also up for grabs, we are expecting this year’s event to be even bigger and better than before.”

Last year’s winner, Kerry Isom, adds: “Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year gives people the chance to demonstrate their skills and gain experience for the future. Hopefully it encourages more young people to get into the trade.”

To request an entry form, please e-mail megan.esmond@ppg.com or telephone 01924 354000. Deadline for entries is 16th March.

A lucky decorator walked away with a brand new MacBook Air after triumphing in Johnstone’s Decorating Centre’s ‘Land a Laptop’ competition at the recent National Painting & Decorating show at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

Barry Boole, a self-employed decorator from Derby, was picked out at random from over 400 entrants after putting his name into the hat during his visit to the show.

The show itself, which this year saw nearly 80 exhibitors, is the biggest annual event in the UK painting and decorating industry and sees manufacturers, contractors, stockists, interior designers and specifiers from both the private and public sector come together.

Barry said: “I can’t believe I’ve won! It was my first visit to the P&D show so I feel like I’ve had an extra bit of luck. I only entered the competition on a whim after going to take a look at the Johnstone’s Decorating Centre stand to see if there was anything new I might be able to test out. I was pleasantly surprised to get the phone call letting me know I’d won and I’ll certainly be putting the new computer to good use!”

Jane Clough from Johnstone’s said: “We always enjoy being involved in the National Painting and Decorating show and this year was no different. We put a great deal of effort into our stands and see it as a fantastic opportunity to let people get up close to the brand and see what we’re about. It was great this year to be able to give something back to one of our customers, Mr Boole, who has been a loyal user of Johnstone’s for many years!”

For more information on Johnstone’s please visit www.johnstonestrade.com