Painter at Finishing Trades Institute Northwest (FTINW) Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program (PATVP)
at Finishing Trades Institute Northwest (FTINW) Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program (PATVP) in Seattle, WA
About This Program
The Finishing Trades Institute Northwest (FTINW) Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program (PATVP), based in Seattle, WA, offers a painter apprenticeship specifically designed to support veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce and the skilled trades. This employer-sponsored program provides a structured pathway for those with military backgrounds.
The program runs for 3 years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop skills in surface preparation, interior and exterior painting, protective coatings, spray application, and jobsite safety — with an instructional approach that respects the discipline and work ethic veterans bring to the trades.
Graduates complete the program as journey-level painters, equipped to pursue lasting careers in construction and finishing trades throughout the Pacific Northwest. Apprentices earn wages throughout training, making this a financially viable path for veterans entering a new career.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$22
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
3 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Painter Career Outlook
National Median
$22.47/hr
~$46,737.6/yr
Apprentice Start
$14/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Painter employment is projected to grow in line with construction and renovation activity. Residential repainting and commercial building maintenance provide steady, recurring demand. Painters with industrial coating experience, lead abatement certification, or decorative finishing skills command higher wages and have the strongest employment prospects.
What to Expect as a Painter Apprentice
Duration
3 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
432 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Painter
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Washington
Painters in Washington are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
View full Washingtonlicensing requirements →Reviews
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