Why become an apprentice?

Financial Freedom

You don’t need a job, you need a career. Apprenticeships enable students to climb the career ladder and gain financial security.

Safety on the Job

Our apprentices can walk on the job site confident that they’re prepared for anything. Their families can rest easy knowing apprentices are operating safely.

Good Benefits

Health insurance, retirement benefits, and a pension are essential to a secure future. We ensure these important benefits are available to all DC 35 members.

Through the apprenticeship with DC 35 and being a union member, we ensure you’re going to get great wages, good benefits that you’re going to be able to provide for your family and your future.”

Jorge Rivera
DC 35 Director of Organizing

Jorge Rivera headshot

FTI-NE is New England’s #1 Apprenticeship Program for Industrial and Commercial Painters, Drywall Finishers, and Glaziers.

Apprenticeship applicants, before being accepted as apprentices, must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete the application form furnished by the Finishing Trades Institute of New England. Click to fill out and download the application.
    • After completing the application, submit a hard copy to 25 Colgate Rd, Roslindale, MA 02131 in-person.
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Copy of a valid driver’s license
  • Be an American citizen or be lawfully permitted to work in the United States of America
  • Produce a copy of their high school diploma, GED, or Job Corps Completion Certificate
  • Be physically able to perform the work required of the trade
  • Attend and successfully complete the apprentice information session
  • Complete a favorable interview with an assigned DC 35 interviewer
  • Pass a drug screening

We will be open for applications on the 1st business day of every month from 10 AM – 4 PM and continue to accept applications each day thereafter from 10 AM – 4 PM until we reach our quota.

The Finishing Trades Institute of New England accepts the first 25 completed apprentice applications per month starting the 1st business day of every month except November & December.

Each applicant who meets all minimum requirements will be evaluated for acceptance.

The Painters and Allied Trades Finishing Trades Institute of New England is an Equal Opportunity Training Program. We encourage individuals of all racial and ethnic backgrounds and all gender identities to apply.

The FTI of New England will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older. The FTI of New England will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.

Apprentices who are accepted into the program will be required to complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training together with 480 hours of related classroom instruction.

All FTI-NE Apprentices will attend four full-time, one-week training sessions, spread out over a one-year time period typically between the months of September and June.

The FTI of New England will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older. The FTI of New England will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.

Apprentices receive a percentage increase in their pay every 750 hours of work performed for the life of the apprentice agreement. The apprentice is responsible for tracking and submitting their work hours in order to receive the percentage increase.

  • 10-Hour OSHA (Occupational Health & Safety)
  • Scaffolding
  • First Aid/CPR
  • PFT (Pulmonary Function Test)
  • MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform)
  • Fall Protection (FP)

DC 35 hosts an annual STAR Awards ceremony to reward members who are up-to-date on their safety requirements. The STAR 2023 and 2024 training requirements will once again be PFT and any other course taught by the FTI New England. Click here for the most updated course calendar.