Painter at Painters Dist. Council 30 N. Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Painters Dist. Council 30 N. Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute in Aurora, IL

About This Program

The Painters Dist. Council 30 N. Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute Painter Apprenticeship is a registered program located in Aurora, IL, designed to train the next generation of skilled painters in north-central Illinois. This employer-sponsored apprenticeship provides paid, structured training through a dedicated finishing trades institute.

The 3-year program combines 6,000 hours of on-the-job training with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop proficiency in surface preparation, application of paints, stains, and specialty coatings, spray equipment operation, and quality finishing techniques. Institute coursework covers trade mathematics, safety standards, materials identification, and blueprint reading to support fieldwork.

Graduates achieve journey-level status as professional painters equipped to work across residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Apprentices are paid throughout the program, making it possible to build skills and earn income at the same time — a practical, debt-free alternative to traditional education for a lasting trade career in the Aurora, IL region.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$22

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

6,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

432

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

3 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

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.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Painter

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration3 years
Starting wage$14.00/hr
Journeyman wage$22.47/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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