Painting apprenticeship covers all the bases

Krishan Clayton says painting suits his interests. Photo / Angela McCarthy

Creative Trades ITO painting and decorating apprenticeship takes about three years; more if other strands are included. Apprentices complete tasks on the job that are signed off by the employer and then assessed during block courses. There are two block courses of two-weeks' duration over two years through Unitec (Auckland), Weltec (Wellington) or CPIT (Christchurch).

Depending on their area of industry, some apprentices do extra strands in spray techniques, specialised coatings, wall coverings and industrial coatings.

Employers and apprentices sign a training agreement that is registered with the ITO. As well as painting and decorating, the Creative Trades ITO represents brick and block laying, masonry and sign-making training.

A 17-week pre-trade painting course run by Weltec (Wellington) teaches the basics, but doesn't guarantee an apprenticeship.

TRADE PAINTER

Krishan Clayton
* 28
* Painter
* Programmed Property Services
* Qualified about two years ago

Programmed Property Services works on industrial and commercial properties such as factories, schools, shopping centres and commercial buildings. The buildings are often multi-storeyed and require us to work from truck-mounted cherry pickers.

I enjoy painting because I'm not stuck in an office but move around; I like keeping active. After school I originally enrolled into environmental studies at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, but then I was offered a painting apprenticeship. I took it because I liked the idea of earning while I was learning and having a definite job at the end. My first job was residential painting; lots of new houses, including interiors.

I moved to Programmed just after my first block course. A friend who worked here told me a job was going. I moved because I wanted more variety and liked the idea of working on large-scale buildings using scaffolding and swinging stages.

Paint is a challenging product. It requires thought and planning. Every job presents its own unique issues such as working on near-inaccessible surfaces like church steeples, or spray painting inside factory walls without interfering with or damaging high-value products. You also learn a lot about colour co-ordination and the properties of paint and how to achieve visually appealing finishes.

One very challenging project was painting at Karapiro Power Station. We had to get scaffolding put down the sides to the water edges and also had the safety issue of being in the proximity of 240,000 volt generators which had to be shut down one at a time while we worked. I wasn't allowed within four metres of a generator if it was on. I used a knuckle boom - a cherry picker with more hinges and extensions - to get access around the generator without touching it.

My apprenticeship took about three years and included two block courses at Unitec. There were usually about 12 of us at Unitec which meant we got lots of one-on-one help. As well as giving more detail and information about things we already did, the tutor also taught us about things we didn't come across in our daily work. Textured coatings was one for me. We each had a cubicle that was assessed after we'd painted it showing our different skills. We also learned basic plastering and window glazing. After that I also did the spray techniques strand.

Programmed Property Services also provides lots of training for equipment like elevator work platforms, rope courses and basic scaffolding. We also do first aid training and I've now got my Class 2 truck driver's licence. I've had some great experiences as a painter, like watching the first light and setting sun near Mt Ruapehu while working on a secluded country school and sitting on a swinging platform hanging off one of Hamilton's highest buildings looking at the city below.

Yes there are cowboys around; customers should ask whether people are appropriately certified. A professional painter puts in the appropriate preparation for a quality finish and longer lasting job.

EMPLOYER

Chris Homan
* Operations Manager Northern
* Programmed Property Services

It is a hands-on job so we look for a practical commonsense attitude. You can learn the skills on-site; so what we want to identify is a real interest in painting because traditionally it has been seen as the bottom trade option. Training is helping change that impression and provides credibility for the industry through qualifications and opportunities for good money.

We're really big on training, partly because of the credibility factor, but also because we realised we had to grow our own qualified staff. We are a big company - we have 13 branches throughout New Zealand - and used to struggle to find trained people.

Currently we have 183 painters on staff, of which 27 are apprentices. Our general manager really pushes the trades, which is great. We pay for their training to show our commitment, we pay for their time off while on the block courses, travel and accommodation around the course. Our obligation is to train them to a professional level across a range of skills.

Creative ITO also offers a skill-recognition process for experienced older guys who never did apprenticeships. This means we can have guys put on specific courses to fill skill gaps so they can get a qualification to show for their experience. This benefits them and us because we get more qualified tradespeople on site.

We provide lots of other training as well so we want people that are keen to keep on learning. There are opportunities for apprenticeships for people with the right attitude.

TRAINING PLACE

Qualification: National Certificate in Painting (Level 3) / Spray Techniques strand.
Organisation: Creative Trades ITO (Industry Training Organisation).
Phone: 0800 200 486
Email: info@creativetradesito.co.nz
Web: www.creativetradesito.co.nz
Entry requirements: NCEA Level 1 or 2 Maths and English useful. High school technology and workshop subjects or BConstructive programme also good.
Course costs: Vary. Annual fee $297, training record book $69.30, block courses $450 to $480, plus other costs. Some apprentices' fees deducted weekly; some reimbursed on successful completion; others' employers cover costs.
Pay rates: Newly qualified $16 - $20 per hour, depending on organisation.

angela@careerideas.co.nz