Homebase is offering 14 young people an opportunity to join its training scheme designed to help them gain experience and qualifications in interior design and decorating.
Running now for a second year, the Design & Decorating Academy offers people aged 16 and above the opportunity to work with industry experts such as DIY SOS interior designer Julia Kendell, as well as big brand suppliers of Homebase including Farrow & Ball and Graham & Brown.

Over the 12-month programme the students will study towards a City & Guilds accredited qualification in interior design and decorating and also receive visual merchandising training and experience.

While on the training programme the Academy students will be working full-time in their local Homebase store's Design Hub to gain experience in helping customers decorate and redesign the look and feel of any room in their home.

Said Homebase retail & distribution director Graham Heald: "Being able to support and train the future talent of our industry is really important to us, and the Design & Decorating Academy provides an exciting opportunity for people to make the most of their passion for interior design and learn the skills to help bring this to life for customers in store."