Why Apprenticeship?

Even in today’s uncertain economy, highly trained workers are always in demand. Highly skilled workers command higher pay and better benefits than unskilled workers. Highly skilled workers are safer on the job and have fewer job-related accidents than do unskilled workers. Trained workers also benefit employers, who can finish projects faster, better, and more safely with skilled workers.

Our union is committed to meeting the demands of employers for a productive, skilled workforce by providing unsurpassed training and education opportunities for all IUPAT members. IUPAT, DC 7 offers education and training programs that make our members the most knowledgeable and accomplished craft workers in North America.

Earn while you learn.

Our programs are structured that “you earn while you learn”, and the apprentice actually gets a paycheck. The pay usually starts at around 50% of the journeyworker’s hourly wage. This is designed to allow a cost-effective method of passing on the skills of the trade. It must be remembered that not only is the beginning apprentice not capable of profitable production rates but the journeyperson must also sacrifice production time to demonstrate proper procedures to his/her trainee.

Over the course of the period of apprenticeship, the apprentice will receive increases in the percentages of journeyperson rate. This is commonly based on specific time periods. For example, the drywall finisher’s apprenticeship program is a three-year period. The apprentice receives 50% of the journeyperson pay rate plus benefits for the first period of so many hours (usually 780 to 1,560 depending on the trade) such as health insurance. Each additional time period merits the apprentice a pay step increase. If the journeyperson gets a pay increase, the apprentice receives the proper percentage of the increase. The glazer’s program is slightly different but it operates in a similar fashion.

Paid classroom training.

All apprentices must also receive classroom training that is related to the painting, drywall finishing, or glazing trades. Painter apprentices currently complete 3 semesters of day school attending one day per week. Drywall apprentices have similar classroom training while our glazing apprentices satisfy their classroom instruction through block training. Actually each program in each of our areas varies slightly, so you will need to check with the office in your area. Apprentices are paid for the time spent in day school classroom training. There are some evening school classes that our apprentices attend on their own time. The remainders of the workweeks are spent working on jobsites and the apprentice gets practical application time and teaching from the journeyworkers on the job.

Student Handbook

About IUPAT DC7

Painters & Allied Trades, District Council No. 7 is an affiliate of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), AFL-CIO, chartered on April 25th, 2003 at the State of Wisconsin.

DC 7 represents approximately 2,400 members in the State of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula and has over 180 signatory contractors. Our members are employed by PPG Industries, Derse Inc., all of the major glazing, painting & decorating and drywall taping & finishing contractors in the greater Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha, Racine & Fox Valley areas. In addition, Miller Brewing Company, the Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee Hilton Hotel, Milwaukee Public Museum, the City of Madison & Milwaukee, Counties of Milwaukee & Dane, the State of Wisconsin, Racine Unified School District, Milwaukee Public Schools, and a number of other entities also employ our members.

We help ensure that our members working conditions are safe and that our members get good pay and benefits, like health care coverage and pensions. We represent workers by bargaining collectively with employers, as well as helping workers handle difficult work situations.