How to Find Painting & Decorating Apprenticeships

Learning how to be a painter or decorator is best done with hands-on, on-the-job training. Finding an apprenticeship is usually fairly easy, even in this economy. You need to be willing to work hard and get your hands dirty, especially at first. Beginning income for an apprentice painter or decorator may be rather low, but there is potential for a very good living. Finding a painting or decorating apprenticeship can depend on your geographical area and even the time of year.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check online and newspaper classifieds for painting and decorating jobs. Be even more proactive and call painting and decorating firms, letting them know you would like to learn the trade and are willing to work hard. Post a brief resume and your contact information at paint stores and decorating centers.

2. Network aggressively. Ask friends, neighbors and family if they know anyone who may hire a hard worker. Be persistent. Most of the trades have work that comes in sporadically, depending on the season and even the weather. Painting and decorating is a seasonal business, and when the weather is very cold or wet, business is down and few people will be hiring. The best time to look for work is spring and early summer.

3. Contact the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (see Resources). There may be a union painting or decorating company near you that offers apprenticeships.

4. Consider related trades, especially if you are in a tight job market. Painting and decorating is closely related to several other disciplines, like drywall, wallpaper and even retail paint and decorating sales. The more familiar you are with all aspects of the trades, the more proficient you will be in a painting or decorating career.

5. Diversify. Don't forget that related skills like faux painting, wallpaper, wallpaper removal and drywall are an integral part of the painting and decorating skill set.

Tips & Warnings

• Some painting and decorating involves working from ladders and scaffolding. Be honest with your employees if you need a bit of time to acclimate to heights. Nobody wants to see on the job injuries. It is better to work slowly and avoid mistakes than to rush and do sloppy work. Work to develop good customer-relations skills. An integral part of painting and decorating is being able to communicate and work with the client.

Resources

• IUPAT