Painter and decorator apprenticeship
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toPainter and Decorator·Certificate
A multi-level trade apprenticeship program teaching surface preparation, brush and spray application, wall coverings, and specialized industrial coatings.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
WorkBC training funding
Up to $7,500 tuitionIf you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeNot yet verifiedFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
Money for apprentices
EI, a $4,000 loan per level and a tax creditWhile you are at school for each level. The old federal grants ended in 2025.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- Grade 10 completion with Math 10 and English 10 (Grade 12 graduation recommended)
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- Active employer sponsorship registered with SkilledTradesBC
- WHMIS and respiratory protection medical clearance
- WHMIS and respiratory protection clearance
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Obtain employment with an approved painting contractor or union contractor with IUPAT Local 138
- Register your apprenticeship agreement with SkilledTradesBC
- Register for technical training classes at the Finishing Trades Institute of BC (FTIBC) in Surrey
- Apply for federal apprentice incentive grants after completing Level 1 and Level 2
Step 5 of 8
Painter and decorator apprenticeship
⏱ 6 weeks per Level (3 Levels)- 3 levels of technical training (6 weeks per level, 18 weeks total) at the FTIBC trade campus
- Surface preparation: drywall taping, scraping, power washing, sandblasting, and chemical stripping
- Brush and roller mastery: cutting-in precision, gloss enamels, oil/waterborne primers, and stain matching
- Spray technology: airless, conventional air-spray, and high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) equipment
- Commercial wall coverings: vinyl wall fabrics, wallpaper pattern matching, and decorative murals
- Industrial coatings: high-build epoxies, polyurethanes, zinc-rich primers, and corrosion control on structural steel
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 1 school in BC- Finishing Trades Institute of BC — 6 weeks per level, 3 levels (Tuition not yet verified)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- SkilledTradesBC Level 1, 2, and 3 modular trade examinations
- Interprovincial Red Seal Examination (minimum 70% passing mark)
- SkilledTradesBC Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal Endorsement
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Painter and Decorator
- Explore Painter and Decorator wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(1 school)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.