A Drywall Finisher and Plasterer tapes and finishes wallboard (drywall), applies, maintains and restores plaster and similar materials on interior and exterior walls, ceilings and building partitions to make them more decorative, soundproof and firerated. A Drywall Finisher and Plasterer also textures concrete, applies coats of plaster to foundation materials, and installs, repairs and restores mouldings and ornaments. Specifically, a Drywall Finisher and Plasterer:
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. The program duration set in regulations for the trade of Drywall Finisher and Plasterer is 5,400 hours (approximately three years) consisting of 4,920 hours of on-the job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.
As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.
IN-SCHOOL TRAINING
A Drywall Finisher and Plasterer apprenticeship includes one level of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:
Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:
Drywall Finisher and Plasterer is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.
This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade. Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.
In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program—the national standard for the trade across Canada: www.red-seal.ca.