Painter at Quad City Painters JATC Lu 502 & 676
at Quad City Painters JATC Lu 502 & 676 in Rock Island, IL
About This Program
The Quad City Painters JATC LU 502 & 676 Painter Apprenticeship is a registered union program based in Rock Island, IL, serving the Quad Cities region. As a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program, it is backed by both labor and management, offering apprentices union-quality training, benefits, and representation from the start.
This 3-year apprenticeship includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside experienced journeymen to develop skills in surface preparation, paint and coating application, spray equipment use, and finishing standards. Classroom instruction covers trade safety, materials science, estimating basics, and industry regulations.
Graduates complete the program as union journey-level painters with the credentials and practical experience to work on major commercial, industrial, and residential projects. Apprentices earn wages throughout the entire training period, and union membership provides access to negotiated pay scales, health benefits, and retirement planning from day one in Rock Island, IL.
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.
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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