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PAINTER/ WALLCOVERER

ABOUT

Painters/Wallcoverers are responsible for selecting, preparing and applying protective or decorative coating materials, such as paint, lacquer and wallpaper, to a variety of surfaces including, but not limited to, wood, masonry, drywall, plaster, concrete, synthetics, stucco and metal.

Man painting on a room

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

Students will learn to apply their theoretical knowledge and classroom instruction to calculating areas and the required amount of materials for jobs, equipment operation and maintenance, communication skills and environmental effects on finishes and applicable standards.

Specific objectives for this program include:

  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving and obtaining information from all relevant sources
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling of materials
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning and moving materials and manipulating things
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize and accomplish your work
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers and subordinates by telephone, in written form, email, or in person
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources or materials needed to perform a work activity
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations or standards

Click here to learn more about the courses and credits required to obtain a painting-decorating diploma.

Duties of a Painter

  • Preparing surfaces prior to the application of coatings by using processes such as washing, scraping, wire brushing or sanding the surface
  • In some cases, using chemicals, electric scrapers, sandblasters or blow torches to remove old paint
  • Sanding any irregularities, filling cracks and holes and removing excess dirt and grease
  • Using three major tools to apply paints and coatings: the spray gun, the roller and the brush
  • Working on projects such as building interiors and exteriors, residential high rises, institutions and other commercial projects

Painting Doors
Painter female

Working Conditions

  • Strenuous work, requiring constant movement such as walking, standing, reaching, kneeling, stooping, carrying, climbing and lifting (Ex. 60 lbs overhead)
  • Occupational hazards include falls from ladders or scaffolds, and skin or throat irritations from paint fumes and thinners
  • Exterior painters lose some work-time each year due to bad weather
  • Interior painters who work primarily on new construction may lose work-time during slowdowns in construction activity

Interest and Temperament

Painting/Wallcovering apprentices should have an eye for detail, the ability to make work plans, dexterity and steady nerves to work in high places. They should not be allergic to paint fumes, toxic materials or spray dust. An artistic sense, good eyesight and a sense of color are also necessary to do a first-class job

Terms of Apprenticeship 

Accepted students are required to complete 4 years of paid, on-the-job training and a minimum of 160 hours per year of knowledge and theory classroom instruction

Course Offerings

During your Apprenticeship at the FTI-MAR, course offerings are arranged in cohorts. A cohort by definition is a group of people who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined period; in this case the cohorts were designed so that you are enrolled in your Apprentice Trade Specific Program with the same group of people for year one through year four.

The FTI-MAR automatically enrolls you in the appropriate courses each year of your apprenticeship.  Listed below is breakdown of course offerings per apprenticeship year (trade specific):

Current Apprentices: Click here for on-the-job learning form