Painters and Decorators prepare and apply paints, wall coverings and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. It is a creative and rewarding trade within the construction industry, including residential and commercial sectors.
Upon completion of this first-year apprenticeship program, graduates will have the knowledge and skills required by industry to interpret layouts, use and maintain the equipment and tools of the trade, and assess projects for quality finishes.
Once graduates earn employment as a Painter and Decorator Apprentice, they are encouraged to contact the Division of Apprenticeship and Trades Certification of the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour to become a “Registered Apprentice.” Under the supervision of a Certified Journeyperson, the hours and competencies the apprentice earns will be then credited toward the qualifications required to become eligible to challenge the Interprovincial Exam.
For complete course details, please click here for the Provincial Plan of Training for Painter and Decorator.
Program Outline
Block 1
TS1510 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
This course is designed to give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to interpret the Occupational Health and Safety Act, laws and regulations; understand the designated responsibilities within the laws and regulations; the right to refuse dangerous work; and the importance of reporting accidents.
TS1530 STANDARD FIRST AID
This course is designed to give the apprentice the ability to recognize situations requiring emergency action and to make appropriate decisions concerning first aid. Students will complete a St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Certificate course.
TS1520 WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (WHMIS)
This course is designed to give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to define WHMIS, examine hazard identification and ingredient disclosure, explain labeling and other forms of warning, and introduce material safety data sheets (MSDS).
PL1100 WORKPLACE SAFETY
This course covers safety regulations, fire safety and equipment, and hazardous workplace materials.
PL1110 BLUEPRINT READING AND INTERPRETATION
This course covers locating and interpreting information contained in blueprints, specifications and contract documents. Students will learn to use information contained on blueprints and in specifications to prepare material estimates and to apply the appropriate national, provincial and municipal building codes.
PL1120 TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
This course covers selecting, using and caring for tools and equipment.
PL1130 ACCESS EQUIPMENT
This course covers the safe assembly and use of scaffolding and staging. Students will gain knowledge of ladders and their safe use.
PL1140 SURFACE PREPARATION 1 (PREVIOUSLY COATED DRYWALL)
This course covers the different types of drywall substrates and preparation methods for previously coated surfaces. It deals with the characteristics, categories and use of materials in previously coated surfaces.
PL1150 DRYWALL FINISHING
This course covers preparing drywall for finishing.
PL1160 SURFACE PREPARATION 2 (METAL)
This course covers the different types of metal substrates and preparation methods, the characteristics, categories and use of materials in metal surface preparation, and the different types of mechanical treatments.
PL1170 SURFACE PREPARATION 3 (STUCCO)
This course covers the different types of stucco substrates and preparation methods, and the characteristics, categories and use of materials in stucco surface preparation.
PL1180 SURFACE PREPARATION 4 (MASONRY)
This course covers the different types of masonry substrates and preparation methods and the characteristics, categories and use of materials in masonry surface preparation.
PL1190 SURFACE PREPARATION 5 (WOOD)
This course covers the different types of wood substrates and preparation methods and the characteristics, categories and use of materials in wood surface preparation.
PL1200 SURFACE PREPARATION 6 (PLASTER/VENEER PLASTER)
This course covers the different types of plaster substrates and preparation methods and the characteristics, categories and use of materials in plaster surface preparation.
PL1211 PAINTS AND COATINGS
This course covers the different types of coatings, their applications, and safe use.
PL2100 PAINTING 1 (BRUSH AND ROLLER)
This course covers selecting and using the proper brush, roller and associated equipment. It deals with various techniques to paint a variety of surfaces and the cleaning and storage of materials and equipment after use.
PL2110 PAINTING 2 (SPRAY SYSTEMS)
This course covers selecting and using the appropriate spray painting equipment. It deals with spray painting techniques to paint a variety of surfaces and the cleaning and storage of materials and equipment after use.
PL1220 COLOUR THEORY AND MIXING
This course covers colour theory and perception and colour mixing.
AP1100 INTRODUCTION TO APPRENTICESHIP
This course is designed to give participants the knowledge base and skills necessary to understand and successfully navigate the apprenticeship/red seal program.
SP2330 QUALITY ASSURANCE/ QUALITY CONTROL
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the concepts and requirements of QA/QC such as interpreting standards, controlling the acceptance of raw materials, controlling quality variables and documenting the process. It includes information on quality concepts, codes, and standards, documentation, communications, human resources, company structure and policy, teamwork and responsibilities.
CM2160 COMMUNICATION ESSENTIALS
This course involves the knowledge of the importance of well-developed writing skills in the workplace and in career development, principals of effective workplace writing, standard formats and principals for effective letters and memos, preparing and delivering oral presentations, and the importance of effective interpersonal skills in the workplace.
SD1760 WORKPLACE ESSENTIALS
This course focuses on workplace essentials in the areas of meetings, unions, worker’s compensation, workers’ rights, and human rights. It focuses on good customer service practices and effective job search techniques.
MC1060 COMPUTER ESSENTIALS
This course involves knowledge of computer systems and their operations, popular software packages and their applications, and security issues related to computers.
AM1100 MATH ESSENTIALS
This course in Basic Math requires knowledge of general mathematical concepts and processes to enable trades persons to function in the institutional setting by developing numeracy skills required for technical courses. This math course should also provide a foundation for experiential learning through knowledge of math relating to on-the-job skills and practices. A detailed course outline is available from Institutional and Industrial Education, Standards and Curriculum Division to training institutions upon request.
Block 2
PL2000 WALLCOVERINGS
This course covers the preparation of walls to accept wallcoverings and the selecting and application of the proper type of wallcovering for specific applications. It deals with specialty wallcoverings and estimating the number of materials required to complete a job.
PL2120 WOOD FINISHING
This course covers wood products and their composition, the preparation of wood surfaces for finish product application, and the application of finish products to various types of wood surfaces.
PL2140 DECORATIVE AND SPECIALTY FINISHES
This course covers preparing various surfaces for decorative and specialty finishes. It deals with selecting and applying decorative and specialty finishes and estimating the number of materials required to complete a job.