The Work

Painters prepare and paint an incredibly diverse array of surfaces. There are three main areas of the industry: industrial (steel structures like ship tanks and bridges), commercial (everything from small businesses to skyscrapers), and residential (homes and small apartments). Painters need to be skilled with a wide variety of hand and power tools, depending on the type of surface preparation and coating required. Glaziers prepare and install various types of glass, mirrors, metal framing, and glass and aluminum doors and entrances in on buildings at residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Work is often performed with other trades-people on new construction, remodeling and repair jobs. Hand and power tools are used during the preparation and insulation process. Floor coverers install carpet, linoleum, and soft tile on floors, walls, and stairs at residential and commercial sites. This includes the preparation of the surface, measuring and calculations, cutting and fitting, and sewing (carpets).

Working Conditions

Painters work indoors and outdoors at floor levels, on ladders, rigging, and scaffolding. They use a variety of chemicals and are exposed to fumes from paints and solvents. Workers may have to travel great distances to work sites. Glaziers work indoors and outdoors. Although some work is done at floor level, a considerable amount of the work is conducted at great heights on ladders, rigging, and scaffolding. There is considerable bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Floor coverers usually work indoors. There is considerable bending, stooping, pulling, pushing and heavy lifting. Preparation and installation on outdoor surfaces is influenced by weather conditions. These three trades may experience periods of unemployment between jobs.

The Apprenticeship

The painter, glazier and floor coverer apprenticeships consist of a 3-4 year program requiring 6000 hours of on-the-job training and an additional 144 hours of related classroom instruction per year. Satisfactory progress must be maintained in all training classes.

Enrollment Period:

30 day opening, usually in the spring for Unions. It is advertised in the newspaper and posted at job service offices. Check with AB&C Inc. for non union enrollment.

To Apply

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
360 W. Benson
Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99503
Contact: Apprenticeship Director
(907) 565-5600 (phone)
(907) 565-5645 (fax)

Painters & Allied Trades Local 1140
Painters, Glassworkers, Floor Coverers, Drywall Finishers
Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
650 West International Airport Road, S. 100
Anchorage, AK 99518
Contact: Apprenticeship Coordinator
rspaint@alaska.net
http://www.ibpat.net/alaska/lu1140.htm
(907) 562-8843 (phone)
(907) 563-8843 (fax)

Painters & Allied Trades Local 1555
Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
P.O. Box 71428
Fairbanks, AK 99707
Contact: Apprenticeship Coordinator
lu1555rc@mosquitonet.com
http://www.lu1555.union-yes.cc/
(907) 457-4444 (phone)
(907) 457-4446 (fax)

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