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УкраїнськаErmanno Molinari, an Italian entrepreneur in the interior painting sector, talks about his relationship with his job, the satisfaction and emotions it brings him, the relationship he builds with his customers and the importance of this profession in society.
chatEmilio is a painter with 13 years of experience in the painting industry in Spain. He takes great satisfaction in his work, especially in wallpapering and creating artistic murals, as well as in offering creative solutions to his clients. He views technology as an important aspect of his profession that will undoubtedly introduce new ways of working.
chatMarisa Álvarez, an entrepreneur and painter with 32 years of experience, presents the painting sector in Spain. She discusses how this is increasingly focused on sustainability and the search for new labour. It would be helpful for her to introduce the industry in schools, promoting and enhancing it.
chatThis laboratory, which is a synergy of many professionals, gives me great satisfaction. It makes me feel successful, both from a personal point of view, because I continue to do a job that I love, but above all, I do a job that I like. I surround myself with people that I like. I must say that among these people who collaborate with me, many are non-EU citizens, they are migrants. It is clear that time confirms our stance. We are obtaining excellent results, not just good, but excellent results!
In my case, the work also creates a series of relationships with customers, friendships, and other things that last over time. This is precisely because when we give or do anything at their house, they feel that it is done with heart and passion, beyond the economic cost. In the end, if they are satisfied, it is money well spent. Otherwise, it is not. So, we establish working and personal relationships with the client that last over time.
Beyond the jobs, which are more or less beautiful, the relationship with the clients remains. This is why I feel like I'm on the right track.
This is something a client wrote to me when I finished his house.
« We all have a lovely house. Yes, it's true. We all have nice houses, but now ours is exceptional. We always like a house, especially our own. It's our nest, it's where you raise your children, where you live and where you dream. Then you don't care what colour it is. You live inside your nest. But then, one day, you decide that your nest needs maintenance because the signs of ageing are evident. It's always beautiful, its values are sacred, but time takes its toll, and from then on, as perfect neophytes, we set out to colour our nest. Fortunately, we met a very good friend, a professional painting teacher. Yes, he doesn't just paint houses. He dresses them as if he were dressing himself. He is not ordinary. He feels that your house is his. He, the Master, takes you by the hand and wants the best for you. He is a friend, a very good friend. We will make our life a single painting for our house. He does it out of passion daily, and we, as perfect neophytes, start discussing if and what is best to do. He is patient, puts it away and creates our nest. Sometimes, being a great friend and Master can sometimes make it a bit challenging when it comes to our love for our cosy nest. Yes, it's true; we all have beautiful homes, but after a while, ours is not only beautiful architecturally but also a real beauty for the eyes of all those who pass by and can see and admire it. Thank you for giving us our splendid nest. Our family is lucky to have such a big house, in its context and splendid tranquillity. Recently, everything has also become wonderful. Thank you all from us, Ermanno. »
Tell me what a person can harvest the most from their work! I harvest a lot, and I like it because I like it. But maybe it's because we also give a lot. I say «give» because now, in short, we have expanded and become an important group. But we always try to give our best, pouring our hearts into everything we do.
How many years have you been working in the construction industry in the field of painting?
My name is Emilio, and I am from the Dominican Republic. I have been in Spain for 15 years, between Valencia and Asturias. Practically, of those 15 years, I have worked between 12 and 13 years in painting. In my country, I also worked in this field from a very young age, studying in the morning and painting in the afternoon. Here, I decided to pursue a career as a professional. I did a 6-month painting course in a Vocational Training Centre. My relatives informed me about the products and the painting techniques in Spain. Thankfully, I have been working in the sector uninterrupted until now.
What are the main technical skills a painter should have?
I believe that technical skills go beyond simply painting a wall. It is important to know how to deal with the complications that arise. The training offered by institutions like the “Fundación Laboral de la Construcción” (Construction Labour Foundation) and other centres is essential for acquiring the tools to solve the problems that painters face on a day-to-day basis, such as dampness and condensation, which go beyond the simple application of paint.
How do you keep up to date with new technologies and legislation in the sector?
By taking advantage of technology and the internet, as well as the courses offered by centres such as this one, we keep up to date with products and their application. It is also important to belong to institutions or groups such as the painters' association, which keep you informed and offer ease in gaining more knowledge in the area.
What kind of jobs give you the most satisfaction?
Particularly, the jobs that give me the most satisfaction are those that involve specific challenges and finishes. I really like wallpapering, which is making a comeback with new technologies and papers. I also enjoy decorating walls. I like to go deeper; I have no limits when it comes to painting because I always like to learn. When offering a job, I strive to provide the customer with an alternative that extends beyond painting, including decoration, advice, and putting my knowledge into practice.
In addition, what types of jobs are most in demand by clients?
Apart from the basic painting work in new buildings and renovations, which is always in demand, here in Asturias specifically the treatment of damp and condensation due to the climate is in great demand.
What are the main challenges you face in your daily work?
The main challenge, which at the same time is a source of satisfaction, is that the client is satisfied with any type of painting job undertaken. I think it is a significant challenge in our area because, on work sites, whether they are new or undergoing renovations, we are the ones who put the finishing touches. It is one of the most beautiful jobs in that sense, because when the client sees the finished work, we practically hand it over to them, regardless of who has worked on it before. That is one of the greatest satisfactions of this trade.
What advice would you give to young people who want to become painters?
The advice I would give them is that painting is a very nice field within construction, as we are the ones who give the final touch to the works. It is essential to stay current with the latest technologies and methods to provide effective advice to clients. You must be confident and try to convince the customer of what they truly need.
Do you feel that you have received adequate training to work in this sector?
In my case, apart from the experience without studies, I then did a 6-month course and I think it was a fairly complete training, although there is always something new to learn. Additionally, the training included practical experience in a company, which was very positive. But as in all professions, you always learn as you go along and you have to keep up to date with new products and techniques.
Will anything change in your profession as technology advances?
Like everything else, technology is changing our lives and it also applies to the tools we will use in the future. Technology is sure to change the quality of materials. The apps we use on our phones help us to choose colours and do virtual simulations of decoration. I think technology will bring new ways of working and we will have to keep up with it.
How do you think this sector could be made more attractive to attract more professionals in the future?
I believe that, apart from the economic aspect, which is important for everyone, training courses should continually innovate by adding new techniques and technologies. For young people, it would be effective to complement painting courses with basic knowledge of other related areas, such as plasterboard, within the construction chain. Offering more than just painting in a course would attract more young people.
How many years have you been painting?
I am Marisa Álvarez, from the company Pinturas Lolo SL, and I have been working in this sector for about 32 years.
Why did you decide to work in this sector?
I did not start working in this field, my husband was self-employed in painting and needed help. As I had always liked these things, I started to help him as a labourer, preparing jobs. Little by little I did more and more. When I was widowed, I decided to continue with the business. Initially, I didn't start on my own, but I then continued on my own.
What were your beginnings like?
It was somewhat complicated, as it coincided with the 2008 financial crisis. We served customers, we looked for jobs and little by little we got ahead. We were two people at the beginning, then we grew, but the truth is that we were never short of work.
How do you choose and train the people you work with?
Some people have been with us for more than 20 years, since my husband was with us. Two others came from a company that went bankrupt during the crisis; we knew them and hired them. Others came through the “Agrupación Regional de Pintores Asturianos” (Regional Association of Painters of Asturias), seeking work there. The manager informed us, and we contacted them. We also received CVs and phone calls.
Do you find professionals to work in this sector?
It is very difficult to find professionals. I do not know exactly why, but we cannot find qualified or unqualified staff. Often, we fail to find people who are willing to learn and collaborate.
How do you promote safety at work within the company?
We have hired a company responsible for health and safety at work. On other sites, if they have a safety plan, we adapt it to theirs.
Do you think there have been any recent changes or developments in the paint industry that have had a major impact on your business?
Some techniques and machines have improved and are now more efficient, but there have not been major advances in this area.
How do you see the future of the sector, and do you think it offers many opportunities?
I believe there are numerous opportunities, both in painting and across all construction trades. It is not hard work and it is very rewarding because you see the results. I think it is a good opportunity and people should think about it. They do not require so much effort and they are not so demanding that you cannot take advantage of them with the current demand. I think this should be encouraged a little bit.
Is sustainability an important issue in your work?
All products now come in good condition and have to meet sustainability standards. The Regional Association of Painters of Asturias, for example, provide us with free recycling containers, which is important and helps us to be cleaner and more environmentally friendly. The products comply very well with European standards.
What types of jobs are most in demand today?
All kinds of paints, from floors to any surface. There is a lot of demand, also because during the crisis, things were not preserved and now everything requires maintenance. Therefore, there is a lot of demand in this trade.
What are the advantages of working in this sector and why would you recommend it as a career?
As I said before, it is not a very heavy job. If you are interested, as in everything, it requires learning at the beginning, but it is not difficult if you are willing. There is a lot of demand, we do not live badly, we have good working hours, plenty of days off and we keep to the timetable. In my opinion, it is not badly paid and nowadays it is a good opportunity with a positive future.
How do you think young people could be encouraged to enter this sector?
I think it could be done from an early school age, dignifying the trades. Just as a local policeman could give a lecture, so could a painter, showing them rollers, coloured paint and plasterboard so that they can see that it is not difficult and it is rewarding, as they can see the final result. The same could be done with other trades, dignifying them from school age and then, for older people, demonstrating that it's not only possible to earn a living through university studies but also that other jobs offer a good livelihood.