District Council 51 and the Painting, Decorating, Paperhanging, Drywall Finishing, and Glazing Contractors participating in the Finishing Trades Institute offer a three year apprenticeship for individuals interested in getting into the Drywall Finishing trade; a four year apprenticeship for individuals interested in the Commercial Painting trade; a three year apprenticeship for individuals interested in the Bridge/Industrial Painting trade; and a four year apprenticeship for individuals interested in the Glass and Glazing trade. 

Each Apprenticeship Trade offered is a separate career path.  All four programs are registered with the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council and the Washington DC Apprenticeship and Training Council.

The Drywall Finishing Apprenticeship Program is a three year apprenticeship program providing formal classroom instruction of four hundred thirty two (432) hours in all aspects of the drywall finishing trade and six thousand (6000) hours of supervised hands on training by skilled journeypersons. 

The Commercial Painter Apprenticeship Program is a four year apprenticeship program providing formal classroom instruction of five hundred seventy six (576) hours of formal classroom instruction in all aspects of the painting and decorating trade  and eight thousand (8000) hours of supervised hands on training by skilled journeypersons.

The Bridge/Industrial Painter Apprenticeship Program is a three year apprenticeship program providing formal classroom instruction of four hundred thirty two (432) hours in all aspects of the bridge/industrial painting trades and six thousand (6000) hours of supervised hands on training by skilled journeypersons. 

The Glazier Apprenticeship Program is a four year apprenticeship program providing formal classroom instruction of five hundred seventy six (576) hours of formal classroom instruction in all aspects of the glazing trade and eight thousand (8000) hours of supervised hands on training by skilled journeypersons. 

The Finishing Trades Institute in an effort to keep its journeypersons  the safest working, most qualified and productive workers in the industry, provides continued education training, in the form of skill enhancement and health and safety training, to allow them the opportunity to further develop their skills and increase their knowledge, exposing them to new cutting edge technologies, advancements within the industries, and preparing them for the demands the twenty-first century may present.

NATURE OF THE TRADE

Members of District Council 51 working in the Drywall Finishing industry prepare wall and ceiling surfaces for the application of  protective coatings and materials. Drywall Finishers apply joint compound and tape to finish the flat and beveled joints, inside corners and outside corners of drywall . They also apply outside corner beads, fill nail or screw heads, and then sand to a smooth seamless finish ready for primer or sealer. They also patch, coat, skim, and texture surfaces using various knives and tools including the use of automated taping tools, finish boxes and angle tools.

Members of District Council 51 working in the Commercial Painting industry perform work in painting, paperhanging, drywall taping and finishing, and other related skills that attribute to the protection, decoration and beautification of interior and exteriors of buildings and structures of all types. Painters prepare surfaces of buildings and other structures to apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, lacquer and other coatings to these surfaces. Painters also prepare surfaces to apply various types of wall coverings and materials. They also block, tape and finish drywall in preparation to receive the paint, wall covering and various coatings and materials.

Members of District Council 51 working in the Bridge/Industrial Painting industry prepare and paint iron and steel members in bridges and all other elevated structures; chip, wirebrush, clean and prepare iron work and steel components of bridges and elevated surfaces for painting or repainting; rig lines and tackle for boatswain chairs, work platforms and scaffolds; paint and repaint bridges, towers, tanks and other elevated structures; mix colors and paints; clean, maintain and store tools, materials, and equipment.

Members of District Council 51 working in the Glass and Glazing industry cut, fabricate and install structural and architectural metal, glass, plastic and other related products used in various residential and commercial applications. Glaziers load and unload glass, metal and various building products and materials by hand, rigging and/or other mechanical devices for the purpose of installing and erecting stick or unitized window, curtainwall, skylights and slope glazing systems. Glaziers read and interpret blueprints for take off, layout and installation of these materials. Glaziers attach these systems to buildings and structures with metal anchors, bolts and/or welded connections. They also seal these systems from water and air infiltration with butyls, silicones and other types of sealants.

QUALIFICATIONS

·         Must be 18 years of age and are required to submit documentation to substantiate proof of age.

·         Must possess sufficient knowledge to satisfactorily complete the on-the-job training and related technical instruction.

·         Must be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the apprenticeship program without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of oneself or others.

·         All persons interested in making application must submit to a pre-admission drug screening within 30 days of making application. The cost of the pre-admission drug screening is $35.00, payable in cash (exact change) or money order made payable to the Finishing Trades Institute. All applicants refusing to submit to the pre-admission drug screen will not be permitted to make application with this program. All pre-admission drug screenings must be done through an approved FTI provider. All drug screening scheduling is done through the FTI Office.  Drug screening paperwork is processed Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 10:00 am only, no appointments are necessary. Pre-admission applicants are required to complete the drug screening paperwork, read the FTI Drug Policy, and pay for the testing before proceeding to the test center. Pre-admission applicants will be given the laboratory paperwork and directions to the test center where the testing takes place. The drug screening test must be performed within 24 hours of making payment and receiving all applicable paperwork. The drug screening test is only good for 30 days.  Pre-admission applicants must return to the FTI offices to complete the Apprenticeship Application Process which is held on the first Monday of the month following the drug screening test. All costs for the initial drug screening test, retesting, and subsequent follow up testing will be paid for by the applicant. Any applicant whose test results reveal intoxicants at or above the allowable limits will not be extended an offer of admission. Those testing positive to the drug screening will be notified of their inability to apply. An  applicant who tests positive may reapply after six (6) months. Upon confirmation of a negative drug screening test an applicant will be eligible to complete an application.

·         Applicants will be screened by the FTIC and all that meet the screening criteria are accepted by the FTIC as eligible for apprenticeship and are provided a Statement of Eligibility Form and then referred to participating contractors who are hiring.

·         An applicant will be given 30 days in which to secure employment. When an applicant is accepted by a participating employer, the applicant will return to the FTIC offices with an Intent to Hire Form, which must be completed and signed by the employer indicating the initial starting date of employment. If an applicant does not secure employment within 30 days after being issued a Statement of Eligibility Form they must return to the FTIC office to renew that Statement of Eligibility every 30 days.

·         Upon receipt of the completed Intent to Hire Form an applicant becomes a Probationary Apprentice for a period of 90 days or 500 hours, whichever comes first. Upon successfully completing the 90 day probationary period an apprentice is indentured into the program.  

Applications are taken quarterly, the first Monday of the months of  

March, June,  September, and December 

at 9:00 am sharp 

at

The Finishing Trades Institute of Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and Vicinities

4700 Boston Way , Lanham , Maryland  

Call 301-918-3175 for more information

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY

The Finishing Trades Institute of Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Vicinities admits students (apprentices  and journeypersons) of any age, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally afforded or made available to students in the Training and Education Program. It does not  discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and all school administered programs.