CareerMATTERS - Careers - Painters & Coaters, Industrial

Description

In this job you "spray it, don't say it." Manufacturing painters and coaters operate spray and coating machines that cover equipment with lovely colours and protective layers. Brushes are used here and there for small items and touch-ups. Painters and coaters help make industrial equipment look a little more attractive and last a lot longer.

Painters and coaters make grey, hulking machinery look good. Ever helped paint the house or maybe your bike? If so, you have an idea of the process. This time, it's on a much larger scale.

You'll be using machines and brushes to apply paint, enamel, lacquer, and other coatings. You should have an appreciation for quality paint jobs. The job may be repetitive, but it's important to produce consistent, quality work.

Specific duties

As a manufacturing painter or coater you are responsible for the following tasks:

selecting appropriate paints and mixing them using automated mixing equipment
tending and operating equipment to clean and prepare objects for painting
tending and operating automated spray paint, dip- or flow-coating equipment
using handheld spray guns to paint still and moving items, and
preparing and applying stencils, decals and other decorations.

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

English

ENG1D
English, Grade 9, Academic

or

ENG1P
English, Grade 9, Applied

ENG2D
English, Grade 10, Academic

or

ENG2P
English, Grade 10, Applied

ENG3C
English, Grade 11, College Preparation

or

ENG3E
English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation

ENG4C
English, Grade 12, College Preparation

or

ENG4E
English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

Math

MFM1P
Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied

or

MPM1D
Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic

MFM2P
Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied

or

MPM2D
Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic

MBF3C
Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation

or

MCF3M
Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

or

MEL3E
Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation

MAP4C
Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation

or

MCT4C
Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation

or

MEL4E
Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

Science

SNC1D
Science, Grade 9, Academic

or

SNC1P
Science, Grade 9, Applied

SNC2D
Science, Grade 10, Academic

or

SNC2P
Science, Grade 10, Applied

SNC3E
Science, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation

or

SNC3M
Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

SNC4E
Science, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

or

SNC4M
Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

Optional

TTI1O
Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open

TCJ2O
Construction Technology, Grade 10, Open

or

TDJ2O
Technological Design, Grade 10, Open

or

TGJ2O
Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open

or

TIK2O
Computer and Information Science, Grade 10, Open

or

TMJ2O
Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open

TCJ3C
Construction Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation

or

TCJ3E
Construction Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation

or

TDJ3E
Technological Design, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation

or

TDJ3M
Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

or

TGJ3E
Communications Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation

or

TGJ3M
Communications Technology, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

or

TMJ3C
Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation

or

TMJ3E
Manufacturing Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation

TCJ4C
Construction Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation

or

TCJ4E
Construction Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

or

TDJ4E
Technological Design, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

or

TDJ4M
Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

or

TGJ4E
Communications Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

or

TGJ4M
Communications Technology, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

or

TMJ4C
Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation

or

TMJ4E
Manufacturing Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

Apprenticeships are available as Painter and Decorator, Commercial and Residential, or Painter and Decorator, Industrial.
Practising your basic math skills can help you figure out the technical demands of various painting situations. Ease with computers is good. You'll be "interfacing" with automated mixing and painting equipment, which may get more sophisticated over time.
On-the-job training is provided by the company that hires you and will probably last for several months. Aircraft painters and other specialized jobs require specific college courses.

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution

Programs offered

Registered Career College

Granton Institute of Technology

Paint and Coating Processes

Painting, Drywall, Plastering and Decorating

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Painting and coating are entry-level positions. Workers in this field can acquire other skills along the way and qualify for related work, such as autobody repair or furniture finishing. It's also possible to make a move into supervisory positions in the painting biz.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

manufacturing companies

Work environment

Usually, you'll work indoors in a climate-controlled environment. These buildings can either be noisy or quiet, clean or dirty.

You'll probably work full-time, though shiftwork and temporary lay-offs may occur. Dangerous chemicals and fumes are part of the workplace, so caution is required.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Aircraft painter
Assembly painter
Automobile painter
Coating machine operator
Dip tank attendant
Industrial product painter
Manufacturing painter
Paint machine operator
Paint systems operator
Production painter
Spray paint operator
Spray painter

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.