Painters & Finishers

Magnificent flooring. Dazzling glass high-rises. Stunning bridge coatings that prevent corrosion. They’re the work of highly skilled craftspeople who are members of the Finishing Trades, part of the building trades that specialize in finishings. These are the wall coverings, paint and industrial coatings, glazing and glass work, drywall taping, signage, trade show display and floor coverings that finish a construction project. These are just a few of the trades within the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) that add beauty, value and longevity to virtually every structure, from ship hulls and stadiums, to historic buildings like the U.S. Capitol and Parliament Hill in Canada.

There’s a remarkable variety of finishing trades, all in great demand. Making each finishing trade a high-paying career choice with endless opportunities to advance.

In fact, the average union construction worker makes more than the average computer worker out of college and has better benefits than the average corporate employee. Best of all, Finishing Trades apprentices are paid while they learn, so they can immediately build their savings instead of sinking in college debt.

How do you get started with a career in the Finishing Trades?

All careers in the Finishing Trades start with a registered apprenticeship. Co-sponsored by the IUPAT and the International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI), Finishing Trade apprenticeships are designed to give you the advanced practical skills and knowledge you need to achieve success. During your apprenticeship, you’ll learn through a hybrid approach that combines classroom instruction and on-the-job learning. You’ll receive a salary during your training and veterans may claim their GI Bill benefits during their apprenticeship.