Description

Painters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They are employed by construction companies, painting contractors and building maintenance contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Job Titles

• Apprentice industrial painter and decorator
• Apprentice painter and decorator
• Bridge painter
• Building painter
• Commercial building painter
• Commercial construction painter
• Construction painter
• House painter
• Industrial construction painter
• Industrial maintenance painter
• Journeyman/woman painter and decorator
• Maintenance painter
• Painter
• Painter and decorator
• Painter and decorator apprentice
• Painter and paperhanger
• Painter-decorator
• Paperhanger
• Plant maintenance painter
• Residential construction painter
• Residential painter
• Roof painter
• Rough painter – construction
• Specialized painter and decorator

Main Duties

• Read specifications to determine quantities of materials required
• Prepare and clean surfaces using methods such as scraping, sanding, sandblasting, hydro-blasting and steam-cleaning; remove old wallpaper and loose paint; repair cracks and holes in walls; and sandpaper and apply sealer
• Mix and thin paint to obtain desired colour and texture
• Apply paint or other materials, such as stains, lacquer, enamel, oil, varnish, fibreglass, metal coating or fire retardant using brushes, rollers or spray equipment
• Measure, cut and apply wallpaper or fabric to walls
• Assemble and erect scaffolding and swing stages
• May advise customer on selection of colour schemes and choice of wall coverings
• May provide cost estimates to clients.

Workplaces

• Building maintenance contractors
• Construction companies
• Painting contractors
• Self-employment

Skills

• Coordinating
• Management of Material Resources
• Management of Personnel Resources
• Numeracy
• Operation and Control

Abilities

• Gross Body Coordination
• Gross Body Equilibrium
• Stamina
• Trunk Strength
• Arm-Hand Steadiness

Personal Attributes

• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Independence
• Innovativeness

Similar Occupations

• Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (53122)
• Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators (94213)
• Interior decorator (in 52121 Interior designers and interior decorators)

Source: OaSIS

Employment Outlook

The employment outlook will be good for Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) (73112) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

The prospect for employment in this occupation is good as there continues to be a shortage of workers and unfilled vacancies in the province due to strong gains in both residential and non-residential investment. The demand for workers in this occupation is expected to remain favourable driven by continued housing development to support population growth, as well as maintenance, renovation, and repair work. Opportunities are expected to arise as there will be a need to replace workers who retire. 

The demand for painters and decorators tends to fluctuate seasonally, with employment needs strongest during the summer months and declining at other times of the year. Employment in this field is sensitive to the level of construction activity as the majority of painters and decorators are found within this industry, employed mainly by building finishing contractors. Some decorators are employed in decorating and interior design firms, or sometimes in conjunction with realtors. Self-employment is common in this occupation.

Painters and decorators with several years of on the job experience will fare better in securing employment in this occupation. Job prospects may be better for those with a driver’s license or access to a vehicle since painters and decorators will be required to travel to various job sites.

Here are some key facts about Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) in Prince Edward Island:

• Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 90%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 82% compared to 84% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 18% compared to 16% for all occupations
• 34% of painters and decorators (except interior decorators) work all year, while 66% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
• 51% of painters and decorators (except interior decorators) are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 93% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 7% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 35% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 38% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 13% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • bachelor’s degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

Source: Job Bank