Painter and decorator apprenticeship
Painter and Decorator Apprenticeship
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.
How long
6 Weeks per Level (3 Levels)
Cost
Not published
Schools
1 in BC
🏫Where you can take this: 1 school
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)
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
1
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 School Year- General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
2
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 School Year- Grade 10 completion with Math 10 and English 10 (Grade 12 graduation recommended)
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 1 school in BC- Finishing Trades Institute of BC — 3 years (Not published)
7
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
8
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.
🎨
Duration3 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“SkilledTradesBC designated trade schooling covering surface preparation, commercial spray equipment, wallpapering, wood finishing, and industrial coatings.”