No matter how sturdily it's built, how a building looks in the end depends on the skills of finishers.

When a structure is completed - whether it is a home, factory, office building, bridge, sports arena or shopping mall - one of the very last - if not the last -- stages of construction is the painting. This is why Painters are considered "finishers."

Two other categories that fall under the finishing trades profession in New Jersey are Drywall Finishers and Glaziers.

In completing the construction process, the skill of professionals in each of these three trades determines how the final product looks.

The invaluable contribution of finishers can be seen everywhere. The smooth texture of walls and the perfect color scheme make a world of difference in any building or structure. Rows of sunlight-bearing windows and glass doors give an office building, retail mall or hotel a distinguished, polished appearance.

Painters
Quality painting requires intensive training. There are too many variables involved to trust a job to painters who've never been properly trained. This is why highly trained painters are considered essential on any building project.

Painters must know the various application techniques and choose the correct one for each respective project. The right tools for each job not only expedite the painter's work but also produce the most attractive surface. They must understand color harmony - how different colors or tints will look when they are adjacent to one another. They must know how surfaces respond to the various types of coatings. They must know how to read blueprints and how to properly prepare a surface for painting.

Drywall Finisher
Before paint or other covering can be applied, the drywall must be completely smooth and this is the responsibility of the drywall finisher - otherwise known as a taper.

Drywall finishers go to work immediately after the drywall is put up. To create a seamless finish, tapers fill joints between panels with a joint compound. Using the wide, flat tip of a special trowel, they spread the compound into and along each side of the joint with brush-like strokes. Then, they apply a paper tape-used to reinforce the drywall and to hide imperfections-into the wet compound. Nail and screw depressions also are covered with this compound, as are imperfections caused by the installation of air-conditioning vents and other fixtures. On large commercial projects, finishers may use automatic taping tools that apply the joint compound and tape in one step.

When a professionally trained drywall finisher is through with his or her task, it is virtually impossible to see where two pieces of drywall meet. They also fill any holes, cracks or imperfections in the drywall so that painters have a perfect surface on which to complete the job.

Glaziers
Glaziers install windows, mirrors and glass doors; install and repair architectural aluminum window and door frames, such as those in storefronts; install and repair automatic doors like the ones used in every supermarket; and install plastic exterior panels, such as those used for backlit signs. Once glaziers have the glass in place, they secure it with mastic, putty, or other paste like cement, or with bolts, rubber gaskets, glazing compound, metal clips, or metal or wood moldings. When they secure glass using a rubber gasket-a thick, molded rubber half-tube with a split running its length-they first secure the gasket around the perimeter within the opening, then set the glass into the split side of the gasket, causing it to clamp to the edges and hold the glass firmly in place.

Glaziers most often work in teams of two or three in order to lift and set large panes of doors and storefront glass.

Salary and Benefits
One of the primary - if not the primary - factors in choosing a career is the compensation - salary and benefits. Professionals in the finishing trades earn a high wage and excellent benefits.

Following are the current wages for painters, dry wall finishers and glaziers*

Journeyman Foreman General Foreman

$20.27 - $34.05 per hour $22.33 - $37.45 per hour $23.37 - $40.15 per hour

*In southern New Jersey, Glaziers fall under a different collective bargaining agreement. The current wages for Glaziers in the southern New Jersey are: journeyman, $26.80; and foreman, $27.80.

Working Conditions
The working conditions of all three specialties in the finisher's trade present starkly different work environments.

Painters work both indoors and outdoors, but rarely work in extreme conditions because of the materials with which they work. They often work at heights on scaffolds and ladders. The heaviest lifting involves large paint containers (5-gallon plastic drums) and scaffold components. Occasionally, painters must also move furniture and other heavy objects. Inherent hazards also include the dangers of toxic poisoning from paint, related material, fumes and dust. However, proper safety measures are extensively incorporated into apprenticeship training.

Drywall Finishers work almost exclusively indoors. There is very little heavy lifting or use of heavy equipment. They often have to work at heights. Drywall finishers also must be mindful of the toxins and fumes from paints and other finishing materials.

Glaziers work mostly outdoors in all types of weather conditions. Heavy lifting is a routine part of the job. Glaziers do some of their work at heights and rigging is required.

Painters and glaziers must often work at tall heights using scaffolding, including "swing stages," which are scaffolds suspended by rope or cables attached to roof hooks. When painting steeples and other conical structures, they use a boson's chair, a swing-like device.

Career Outlook
According to the Federal Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for painters will grow about 10 percent through the year 2010. This growth projection reflects increases in the level of new construction and in the stock of buildings and other structures that require maintenance and renovation.

All of the finishing trades are skill and labor-intensive and are not susceptible to the elimination of positions due to technological advancements.

Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship for all finishing trades consists of 3 years of on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Classroom training takes place once a week from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the James T. Brennan Training Center in Neptune (Monmouth County). Apprentices spend 144 hours in the classroom each year.

While classroom training is vital to an apprentice's development, the vast majority of training occurs on-the-job. Apprentices spend 2,000 hours on the job each year, learning under the supervision of experienced journeymen.

All apprentices earn a wage and benefits while they work on a job site. The rate begins at $9 per hour and increases steadily every four months. By the final four months of their third year, apprentices are earning 90 percent of the journeyman wage.

Though the investment in time and wage scale are the same, the curriculum for painters, dry wall finishers and glaziers is quite different.

Painters
Apprentices receive instruction in color harmony, use and care of tools and equipment, surface preparation, application techniques, paint mixing and matching, characteristics of different finishes, blueprint reading, wood finishing, and safety.

Apprentices begin by carrying supplies, erecting scaffolds, and performing simple painting and surface preparation tasks. As they gain experience, they learn to prepare surfaces for painting and paperhanging, to mix paints, and to apply paint and wall coverings efficiently and neatly. Near the end of their training, they learn decorating concepts, color coordination, and cost-estimating techniques. In addition to learning craft skills, painters must become familiar with safety and health regulations so that their work is in compliance with the government regulations.

Drywall Finishers
Apprentices, at the beginning of their training, perform basic tasks such as carrying materials and cleaning up debris. Soon, they move on to taping joints and touching up nail holes, scrapes, and other imperfections. Next, they learn to install corner guards and to conceal openings around pipes.

Glaziers
On the job, apprentices learn to use the tools and equipment of the trade; handle, measure, cut, and install glass and metal framing; cut and fit moldings; and install and balance glass doors.

In the classroom, they are taught basic mathematics, blueprint reading and sketching, general construction techniques, safety practices, and first aid.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age • High school degree or GED • Valid drivers license and access to a vehicle for reliable transportation • Medical statement as proof of their physical ability to perform work.

Applicants will take a written aptitude test and participate in a one-on-one interview at the James T. Brennan Training Center.

Profile

•Manual dexterity as well as steady nerves to work in high places. • No allergies or sensitivity to paint fumes, toxic materials, or spray dust. • Painters require an artistic sense, good eyesight, and a sense of color in order to do a first class job. • Drywall finishers must display precision, organization and the ability to work independently. • Glaziers must display strong teamwork as they must work in teams and perform in a coordinated fashion

Recommended High School Courses: General Science, General Math, Mechanical Drawing, Chemistry will help.

Contact

Finishing Trades:
	Director of Education and Training Painters DC 711 Education Fund Springfield, NJ (973) 258-1607 Painters DC 711 Education Fund Neptune City, NJ 07753 (732) 774-6663