COMMERCIAL PAINTER AND DECORATOR
Residential & Commercial (Trade Code 404C)
Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act 2009 (Voluntary Trade)
COMMERCIAL PAINTER AND DECORATOR DESCRIPTION
- Read specifications to determine quantities of materials required
- Prepare and clean surfaces using methods such as scraping, sanding, sand-blasting, hydro-blasting and steam-cleaning; remove old wallpaper and loose paint; repair cracks and holes in walls, apply sealer
- Mix and thin paint to obtain desired colour and texture
- Apply paint or other materials, such as stains, lacquer, enamel, oil, varnish, fibreglass, metal coating or fire retardant using brushes, rollers or spray equipment
- Measure, cut and apply wallpaper or fabric to walls
- Assemble and erect scaffolding and swing gates
- Advise customer on selection of colour schemes and choice of wall coverings
- Provide cost estimates to clients
PERSONAL QUALITIES OF COMMERCIAL PAINTERS AND DECORATORS
- You are comfortable working on ladders most of the time
- You may be required to work in cramped areas or at considerable heights
- You may work outside at various times of the year and experience a considerable range of environmental conditions
- You can work bending down, stretching from side to side and often with your arms over your head
- You have the stamina to be on your feet for long periods of time
- You work with attention to detail
- You are in good physical condition
- Review the Essential Skills Profile for additional qualities required
COMMERCIAL PAINTER AND DECORATOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Journeypersons work for small, medium and large companies in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors or indirectly for those companies through contractors
- Many painters own their own business
- Painters work in union and non-union environments
- Painter Decorator 404C is a Red Seal Trade
EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
- The minimum entry for a painter and decorator apprenticeship is Grade 10 and proof of a minimum of 16 credits
- Completion of a 6,000 hour commercial painter and decorator apprenticeship program is required
- Painter Decorator is a voluntary trade
NEW: Trade Summary Video for Commercial Residential Painter Decorator – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIo8nPh38Lk
PAINTER APPRENTICESHIP FAQ
- 6,000 hour program; it takes 3-4 years to complete
- 720 hours come from in-school training
- 5,280 hours come from working in the trade as a painter apprentice
You will be paid a percentage of a full journeyman’s wages while you are working as an apprentice. The percentage is based on hours that are accumulated as you pass each level and work in the respective trade. For details on wage rates, please consult your employer or your local Union Business Agent.
FTI does not offer job placement. The apprentice must find a job on their own either through the local union or by contacting Painting Contractors directly. The Union or employment agencies may be able to provide assistance with job searching.
- Basic Level – 8 week duration
- Intermediate Level – 8 week duration
- Advanced Level – 8 week duration
Schooling is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at our facility at 1430 Osprey Dr., Ancaster. FTI is the Training Delivery Agent for the Industrial Painter training apprenticeship program for all of Ontario. Classes predominantly address painting theory and Health & Safety issues (e.g., CPR, First Aid, Working at Heights, and WHMIS). There are over 50 topics addressed in school. They cover everything painters do from blueprints, brush and roll, spray painting, surface preparation, and coating application. The minimum passing grade for each level of apprenticeship training is 70%.
Apprentices are invited to school by FTI and the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the start date of a course. Invitations are sent by mail and email and apprentices are required to contact the FTI as soon as possible to reserve their seat as seating is limited and on a “first come, first served” basis.
- Minimum age is 16 years old.
- A valid Social Insurance Number (if your SIN begins with “9” you must provide an expiry date).
- Minimum grade 10 Canadian education or equivalent proven by a copy of your high school transcript showing credits in Math, English and Science. A copy of your Canadian high school diploma will give you 300 hours credit towards the 6,000 contract. If your documentation is in a language other than English, you will need to have this translated by a certified translator.
- Membership in the Ontario College of Trades is mandatory for apprentices, and membership must be maintained annually. If membership lapses, apprentices will not be eligible to attend training, and may have their apprenticeship contracts cancelled by the Ministry.
- Effective August 1, 2002, the Government introduced a $400 tuition fee. If you are non-union, you will have to pay this fee for each level of schooling.
- If you have Work Experience in the trade, you could get some of those hours credited towards your apprenticeship. They must be proven by a letter on company letterhead stating the following:
- Dates of employment
- Total hours worked during these dates
- Skills and tasks performed
- Description of the types of painting jobs you were doing
Yes, there is.
- The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development will provide qualified registered apprentices with information regarding a non-repayable grant of up to $400 to purchase your tools. If you believe you qualify you can apply online at: https://www.eoss.tcu.gov.on.ca/AOL/grants/tools_grant/start?lang=en
- There are also various grants available: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/apprentices/grants.html
- Apprentices attending Apprenticeship training at FTI Ontario may collect Employment Insurance while in school if they are able to meet the qualification for a regular Employment Insurance claim.
Upon successful completion of all 3 levels of schooling and accumulating a minimum total of 6,000 hours necessary under the terms of your Training Agreement, your sponsor/employer must report your completion to the MLTSD. Once the Ministry has recorded the results in their system, your membership with the Ontario College of Trades will change to that of a “Journeyperson Candidate” membership class (please note: after April 8, 2013, you must be a member of the OCOT in order to write the CofQ). Once you are a Journeyperson Candidate with the OCOT, you are eligible to write the Certificate of Qualification (CofQ) exam.
An examination fee of $150 +HST must be paid to the OCOT in advance for each attempt at writing. The exam is written at Ministry Apprenticeship exam centres, and a minimum grade of 70% is required to pass. This will give you your Interprovincial Red Seal License (for Red Seal trades).
Contact Us Today!
Have a question? We want to hear from you. Fill in the form below, and we will get in contact with you.