Drywall Finisher
Starting Wage
$15.59/hr
Journey-Level Wage
$39.25/hr
***The listed wages may vary by state and county.***
Rock-Solid Benefits
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Retirement And Pension Funds
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Wellness Program
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Health Care
Career Requirements
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Must Be 18 Years Old For Hire
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High School Diploma or GED
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Driver's License
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Reliable Transportation
Drywall finishers, also known as tapers, start their jobs after drywall installation. Finishers tape and apply joint compound to prepare walls or other finishes. Apprentices learn how to read blueprints, prepare surfaces, finish drywall, use and care for state-of-the-art tools and equipment, and abide by health and safety regulations. Drywall finishers work in office buildings, hospitals, and a variety of different commercial buildings.
These careers involve climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching and good color vision. You may occasionally be exposed to the weather and work frequently in the proximity of dust, fumes and moving mechanical parts.
APPLY TODAY!
Enroll in a drywall finisher apprenticeship through the Upper Midwest Finishing Trades Institute here.
RECOMMENDED HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
The recommended prerequisites for high school students include construction courses, shop courses, English and math courses. General building classes will familiarize students with measuring and tools they may use or see on the job. Writing and reading fluently in English will help students succeed in following written instructions, safety warnings and communicating with clients.
Completion of high school classes does not count for hours in the apprenticeship program, but the experience and classes taken are valuable in building students’ skill sets.
TRADE OR TECHNICAL SCHOOL CREDIT
A two-year diploma is not required to qualify for a drywall apprenticeship. However, Council on Occupational Education(COE) has programs that align with FTIUM apprenticeship requirements. Contact Recruitment Coordinator, Greg Renne at 651-379-9600 or grenne@ftium.edu.
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Candidates applying for a drywall finisher apprenticeship will begin by going to the union hall at 3205 Country Dr. Suite 150 Little Canada, MN 55117 or by contacting Greg Renne at 651-379-9600 or grenne@ftium.edu to schedule an interview.
A drywall finisher apprentice through FTIUM JATC Training Center is a two-to-three-year training program where apprentices earn while they learn. A glazier or glassworker apprenticeship requires the completion of 5,400 hours of on-the-job practical training as well as 144 classroom-training hours.
When a drywall finisher apprentice can demonstrate competence in vital skills, the apprenticeship will be complete. Apprentices will graduate to journey-level status.
KEY SKILLS
Skills needed to become a drywall finisher include eye-hand coordination, physical fitness, and time management. The ability to solve arithmetic problems quickly and accurately also is required.
High school students preparing to become a drywall finisher should seek out part-time jobs that require being physically fit and working in teams. Team sports and landscaping work are great ways to build the skills needed for drywall finisher apprenticeship.
MILITARY
Military members applying for a drywall finisher apprenticeship receive direct entry into the program by contacting Recruitment Coordinator, Greg Renne, at grenne@ftium.edu or at 651-379-9600. Military members can search job opportunities at https://helmetstohardhats.org/.
Local Offices
Minneapolis / St Paul
Minneapolis Painters & Allied Trades Local 386
Little Canada, MN 55117
St. Paul Painters & Allied Craftsmen Local 61
Little Canada, MN 55117
Rochester
Duluth
Duluth Painters & Allied Trades Local No. 106
2002 London Rd.
Duluth, MN 55812
Drug Testing
An employer/contractor/apprenticeship instructor may require drug and alcohol testing of employees and applicants for employment, including random testing.