The commercial painting industry is characterized by excellent employment opportunities, with figures expected to increase 20 percent by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, whether you want to work as an independent contractor or to get a job at one of the painting companies available in Jacksonville, becoming a professional painter isn’t that easy.
How Can You Become a Professional Painter?
In order to start a Jacksonville painting career, for instance, you must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate and complete an apprenticeship training program. Although training programs vary greatly based on the needs of employers and training agreements, all of them provide apprentices with the all the knowledge and skills they need to become qualified painters.
Unfortunately, completing a training program doesn’t ensure success. To become a successful painter, it’s imperative to have innate talent, good hand-eye coordination, and a great aesthetic sense, to enjoy practical work, and to be able to work at heights. If you intend to advance into management, your strengths must also include great organizational skills along with excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Before developing your Jacksonville painting career plan, you need to know that professional painters have certain duties and responsibilities, such as:
- Building scaffolding and working on different structures, including residential buildings and commercial spaces;
- Preparing surfaces for painting – a task that generally implies removing old paint, sanding and washing walls, sealing cracks and filling holes with caulk, plaster, or putty, and treating problem areas;
- Applying primer according to the type of surface and ambient weather conditions;
- Keeping abreast with the latest technologies, techniques, including the correct use of treatments and chemicals, and trends relating to decorative finishes and color schemes;
- Complying with the latest building codes, which support the green building movement that encourages the use of sustainable products, while focusing on the longevity of exterior and interior building finishes, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality;
- Offering warranty on the work performed; since painters are required to guarantee workmanship, most of them warrant labor for a period of one or two years, which is usually enough, considering that any problems associated with substandard workmanship will become evident within one seasonal cycle;
- Obtaining legal documents; although special permits for painting walls and installing wallpaper aren’t required, professional painters working as independent contractors must get certain licenses, permits, and sales tax certificates in order to make their business legal.
Entering Employment
It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced or inexperienced painter; a few employment options can help you jump start your Jacksonville painting career.
Although we can’t deny that most employers prefer to hire people with experience, many of them are ready to offer on-the-job training. The pay may be basic, but you’re given the chance to build up knowledge, learn on the job, and gain enough experience to move up your career ladder.
Another essential point is that, even though formal qualifications aren’t always required, they can help you get a higher-paying job and boost your career.
Should You Become a Painter?
Working in the painting and decorating industry can be rewarding. Not only will you be well paid for your services and develop your creativity, but you’ll also help people turn dreams into reality. A knowledgeable and skilled painter can be a real lifesaver for someone who knows nothing about walls and painting. And since only a few things can compare to feeling the gratitude of customers, a Jacksonville painting career can be as fulfilling as any other job that makes a difference to people’s lives.
