Finishing Trades Union Seeks 50 Bridge-Painter Apprentices

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The Finishing Trades Institute of New York will conduct a very brief recruitment for 50 Painter and Decorator (Structural Steel - Bridges) apprentices, from May 20 through June 3.

The openings listed for apprentices represent the total number for three recruitment regions – Westchester, Long Island, and New York City regions.

Applications can only be picked up in person from the Finishing Trades Institute of New York, 45-15 36th Street, Long Island City, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the two-week recruitment period.

Plus, this is a limited-application recruitment. Only 500 applications will be distributed, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The recruitment will be offered for 10 business days or until 500 applications have been issued, whichever comes first.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required at the time of enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be physically able to perform the work required, as determined by a site evaluation and personal statement. More information will be provided during a mandatory orientation.
• Must be able to pass physical examination, at the expense of sponsor, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must take and pass a drug test, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship. Will be subject to random drug testing throughout the apprenticeship.
• Must sign an affidavit stating that they are physically able to perform the work of a Painter and Decorator (Structural Steel - Bridges), which may include:
  • Lifting and moving heavy equipment and/or paint weighing up to 70 pounds.
  • Working from ladders, scaffolds, and personnel lifts which may exceed 100 feet in height.
• Must be able to hear and understand instructions and warnings in English.

For further information, applicants should contact Finishing Trades Institute of New York at (718) 937-7440. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: dol.ny.gov/career-centers).

Other current recruitment efforts include a short one by the construction crafts union, seeking 10 apprentices by distributing 100 applications for 10 days starting May 3; and longer efforts by the Finishing Trades Institute, the Sheet Metal Workers and the Sprinkler Fitters union.

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.