A Residential & Commercial Painter/Decorator (404C) applies decorative and protective finishes to various surfaces in residential and commercial settings. An Industrial Painter/Decorator (404D) works in commercial and industrial settings to prepare a variety of surfaces prior to applying protective finishes, including paint, high performance coatings, waterproofing, fireproofing, and specialty finishes.
Job Related Skills, Interests and Values
- Measuring surfaces and reviewing work orders to estimate quantity of materials needed
- Cleaning surfaces using solvents, heat, sanding, wire brushing water or sand blasting; preparing surfaces by filling nail holes and cracks and sanding rough spots
- Using brushes, rollers, or spray guns to apply coatings and finishes to various surfaces
- Safely assembling scaffolding and other access equipment, when required
- Communicating effectively with customers, co-workers, and supervisors
- Working independently or as part of a team, or supervising the work of others
- Keeping up with trends and learning new techniques in painting and decorating
What Preparation and Training Do You Need?
- Grade 10 is the legal minimum, though a high school diploma is generally required; credits in math and English recommended
- Completion of 6,000-hour apprenticeship, including on-the-job and in-school training
- Branch 1 (commercial and residential) is a Red Seal trade
- Exam to obtain Certificate of Qualification
What's Your Future as a Painter/Decorator (404 C/D)?
- Some employed by companies but many self-employed
- Indoor and outdoor work, often with long summer hours
- Physically demanding (standing on ladder with arms over head)
- Risks include falling and chemical exposure
Wage Rate
Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $25.00-$39.00 per hour.
Self-Rating
Painter/Decorator (404 C/D)
| Ask Yourself: | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Do you have good manual dexterity? | ||
| Are you comfortable working at heights? | ||
| Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines? | ||
| Can you lift 50lbs comfortably? | ||
| Can you spot the differences in appearance and texture? | ||
| Do you have excellent eyesight? Do you have artistic abilities? Are you good at working with colours? | ||
| Are you reliable, a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision? |
If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Painter/Decorator (404 C/D) may be for you!
You might want to look at these similar trades as well;
- Auto Body Painter
- Industrial Woodworker
- Pattern Maker
Pattern Makers make wood, plastic, metal, plaster of paris, or polystyrene models to produce castings. Mould Makers then use use them to form a cavity in the sand, into which molten metal is poured to form a casting. Patternmaking is divided into two branches: wood patternmaking and metal patternmaking.
Bearings Mechanics disassemble, inspect, repair, and clean bearings, seals, and chocks.
Roofers install, repair, and replace roofing systems including conventional, inverted built-up, single-ply, and two-ply modified. They also perform damp, water, and weather-proofing, along with installing and repairing slate, tile, and shingles and resurfacing roofs.
Drywall Finishers and Plasterers apply finish, restore, and maintain plaster or similar materials on interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and building partitions to produce plain or decorative surfaces.
Horticulturists use their gardening knowledge and skills in a variety of ways and in many different settings. While some may work to maintain formal gardens, others may spend their time tending to golf courses, cemeteries, or parks.
Cabinetmakers construct and repair wooden cabinets, furniture, fixtures, and related products.
Hairstylists shampoo, cut, perm, shave, and style hair. With appropriate training, they also perform more complex tasks incuding colouring/frosting hair, weaving, and adding hair extensions.
An Exterior Insulated Finish Systems (EIFS) Mechanic installs building systems that integrate a resinous exterior cladding with a continuous layer of insulation on the exterior of a building or structure. EIFS Mechanics are commonly referred to as stucco workers.
Drywall, Acoustic and Lathing Applicators erect exterior structural steel studs, sheeting, and shaft wall systems; install and finish lath and drywall, partition walls and furring, ceiling systems, and access flooring types; and apply thermal and sound insulation.
Automotive Painters, also known as Refinishing Specialists, are involved in motor vehicle damage appraisal, surface preparation, minor damage repair, masking, colour matching, priming, and mixing paint and top coating.