Home is where the art is for staff at a well-known DIY chain who achieved City and Guilds qualifications in painting and decorating.

Fifteen customer service advisers from Homebase stores across the West Midlands, including Sutton Coldfield, Oldbury, Solihull, Leamington Spa and Worcester, gained their level one certificates at Walsall College’s construction department.

Working with MidKent College, the Midland college developed a bespoke five-day programme to meet Homebase’s needs.

The training was designed to help retail staff increase their product knowledge and enable them to give better advice to customers.

Paul Armstrong, trainee team leader at Homebase Oldbury, said: “The course at has given me some great tips-of-the-trade to pass on to customers.

“Having completed a mix of practical and classroom-based exercises, I feel more confident about advising customers on products and techniques that will help them achieve professional results.”

Barry Hill, construction curriculum manager at the college, added: “We are looking at developing courses with Homebase shaped on this successful format to help staff in other areas of DIY.”