A Painter must be skilled in handling brushes and other painting tools in order to apply paint thoroughly, uniformly, and rapidly to any type of surface. A Painter must also know the characteristics of common types of paints and finishes from the standpoint of durability, suitability for difference purposes, and ease of handling and application.

Painters must know how to erect the scaffolding from which they often work, including "swing stages" (scaffolds suspended by ropes or cables attached to roof hooks) and "bosun chairs," which they use when working on tall buildings and other structures.

Painters use spray guns to paint surfaces or objects that are difficult to paint with a brush such as lattices, cinder, concrete block, and radiators. They also use spray guns on large areas that can be sprayed with a minimum of preparation. When using a roller (a rotating applicator covered with soft material), the painter rolls the applicator over the surface to be covered.

Paperhangers must know how to paper walls and hang all types of wall fabrics and wall coverings.

Drywall Finishers bed tape and finish sheet rock to a smooth finish for painting on wall fabrics. They must know how to repair drywall and also know how to texture ceilings and walls.

Requirements:

-All apprenticeship programs require applicants to be physically fit.  In addition, applicants must take an aptitude test and be interviewed by the joint apprenticeship committee before acceptance.

*Where the apprenticeship program has established a formal classroom training course, these are required number of school hours the individual apprentice must attend each year.

For information on all apprenticeship programs, contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, (574)236-8295.