The Finishing Trades Institute of BC has been providing valuable, hands-on training for apprentices and journeypersons since 1992. The FTI offers training for apprentices and journeypersons in the Painting and Decorating, Glazing, Drywall Finishing, and Wall and Ceiling Installer trades.
In 2006, the school received Training Provider status from the Industry Training Authority of BC, for the Glazing trade. The DC38 Joint Trade Society, which operates the school, invested more than $2 million in infrastructure to accommodate the growing Glazier program.
In 2007, the FTI created a comprehensive Drywall Finishing and Wall and Ceiling Installer apprenticeship program as well as journeyperson upgrade courses. The FTI is the only facility in British Columbia where apprentices can receive technical training in the Drywall Finishing trade, leading to a Certificate of Qualification and one of only two where apprenticeship in the Red Seal Wall and Ceiling Installer program is taught.
Our ongoing investment in our facility has included building customized shops and mock-ups, larger classroom space, a 34-space parking lot, and the purchase of specialized Glazing equipment, such as a swing stage, a scissor lift, power assisted lifting cups and an articulated boom lift. The FTI is currently the only comprehensive glazing training facility in B.C. where students can achieve their Red Seal.
We have recently increased our capacity to train industrial Painters by building a state-of the art industrial training facility that includes a one-of-a-kind abrasive blast tank, pleural component spray pump and a custom designed spray paint booth. Our Painting apprentices also learn how to paint using a virtual reality sprayer. This is an environmentally responsible piece of equipment that eliminates the need to use paint or solvents while allowing apprentices to practice their spray technique, all in Virtual Reality. This is why we are the only facility in the province where Painters can achieve Red Seal status.
As a result of these equipment purchases and major renovations, which required an additional $4.2 million investment, the FTI facility now boasts a 40,000 square-foot state-of-the art learning environment.
The FTI has full and part-time instructors in Painting, Wall & Ceiling Installer, Drywall Finishing, and Glazing, as well as a full time Health & Safety Trainer. The FTI brings in other training experts on an on-demand basis, as required by our signatory contractors . The FTI is dedicated to providing our apprentices and journeypersons with the highest level of practical trades training available in the province.
