Trade Programs: Painter & Decorator

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a Painter and Decorator do?

A painter and decorator applies paints and other finishes to protect and beautify surfaces in all kinds of buildings. They work with other skilled tradespeople to contribute to the finished appearance of a building. Depending on your employer’s needs, your work as an apprentice in this trade will include:

• painting wood, masonry, wallboard, plaster, concrete, stucco and metal
• selecting/applying finishes to surfaces and completing decorative installations
• applying neutralizing agents, putty, varnish and lacquer
• blending/mixing paint products
• matching colors and color schemes
• spray painting with air-driven and airless equipment
• stipple-texturing walls and ceilings
• painting super-graphics on large display areas
• matching and applying fabric or vinyl products to ceilings and walls
• working from ladders and scaffolds
• taping and finishing walls and joints on gyproc and wallboard

What skills/abilities are required?

If you appreciate design, colour and detail, and enjoy seeing the results of your handiwork, you may want to be an apprentice painter and decorator. You should have good communication skills and be able to master reading blueprints and other technical written materials. As the trade sometimes requires sketching and design work, an artistic ability can prove useful. The ability to visualize a finished job is important, especially with larger jobs.

Painters and decorators must be familiar with a variety of finishing techniques and products. After you are certified, you are expected to keep up with developments in new products and techniques in your trade.

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship in this trade is three years of three levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training.

What is taught during in-school/technical training?

During your apprenticeship, you will be required to attend periods of in-school training. Subject areas include:

• Trade-related Mathematics, Science and Communications
• Basic Components of Paint
• Equipment Maintenance and Use
• Preparation and Application of Interior/Exterior Coatings
• Paint Failure: Causes and Prevention
• Spray Painting
• Fundamentals of Paper Hanging and Wall Coverings
• Sketching and Blueprint Reading
• Decorative Painting, Stippling, Glazing, Blending, Lining
• Wood Finishing

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 1:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

Senior Years Apprenticeship Option: Begin your apprenticeship practical training in highschool. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A high school diploma or equivalent is strongly recommended, including courses in Math. A minimum Grade 9 is required. If you are19 years or older and do not hold a high school diploma, you can qualify as a Mature Student. Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a “Red Seal” endorsed interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

Your “Red Seal” endorsed Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson floorcovering installer is recognized throughout Canada.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

Manitoba's Painter and Decorator Trade Regulation states that when an apprentice is not in school, an employer must pay a percentage of what a journeyperson would earn. This must be at least:

• 40 per cent during the first six months
• 50 per cent during the second six months
• 65 per cent during level two
• 75 per cent during level three
• 85 percent during level four

Apprentices who work for unionized employers are entitled to the wage rate specified by the collective agreement if it is greater than those wages in the trade regulation.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits. In total, the value of the benefits can range from 20 per cent to 30 per cent over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule

What are the career prospects?

Painters and decorators work on residential, commercial, institutional, industrial and construction projects as well as at renovation job sites. Many find that their prospects for steady, full-time work in the trade improves as they gain experience. Fully experienced trades professionals can expect above-average incomes.