Painter at International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 53
at International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 53 in Weston, WV
About This Program
The International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 53, based in Weston, WV, sponsors this union painter apprenticeship. As a JATC-affiliated program, it operates under union standards and offers apprentices the backing of one of the largest finishing trades unions in North America.
The apprenticeship runs for 3 years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn surface preparation, paint and coating application, wallcovering, specialty finishes, and safety practices across commercial and industrial job sites throughout West Virginia.
Upon completion, graduates are recognized as journey-level painters within the union, with access to union-represented employment, ongoing training, and reciprocity through IUPAT affiliates across the country. Apprentices receive pay throughout the program, with wages typically increasing as they advance through each training level.
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.
How to Apply
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.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Painter
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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