THE PAINTER’S APPRENTICE A demanding industry offers big-time perks BY PRISCILLA PÉREZ BILLIG
A worker paints a shower stall. PHOTO COURTESY THE ZELINSKY CO.
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ecoming a professional painter means more than picking up a brush and a can of paint. The painting industry requires its professionals to learn their craft through the rigors of an apprenticeship, with the payoffs coming back as a good salary and steady work. “Even during these times of uncertainty, most of our members have been very fortunate to be able to continue working,” says Sean Cordero, director of training for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 50 Painters Local Union 1791. “Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic the Painters Union has been, and is currently, attracting new appliSean Cordero
cants into the apprenticeship program. As an apprentice in the Painters Union, individuals are required to complete 576 hours of related training instruction usually held on Saturdays and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.” Cordero adds that related training instruction is delivered several ways to the apprentices: Face-to-face in a classroom and workshop setting, online lessons using the union’s learning management system and virtual classrooms via Zoom. On-the-job training allows the apprentice to learn while working under the supervision of a journey worker while earning fair wages. “Once an apprentice successfully completes the requirements of the apprenticeship program, the apprentice becomes a certified journey worker painter,” Cordero says. “Even as a journey worker, members are still required to attend classes, www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 37
