Located near the Fraser River in Surrey, the Finishing Trades Institute of British Columbia (FTIBC) is a specialized trades training centre serving British Columbia apprentices in the Red Seal trades of painter/decorator, glazier, lather also known as interior systems mechanic and drywall finisher.
The 40,000-square-foot facility includes five fully equipped classrooms dedicated to theory instruction, examinations, technical drawing, occupational health and safety training, and apprenticeship-related coursework.
Training combines traditional instructor-led learning with the technical components required for apprenticeship programs, Red Seal preparation, industry certification and specialized safety courses. Six instructors support students through this training.
Mark Longmore, FTIBC’s director of training and a glazier by trade, says the institute provides the only trades training in British Columbia for painting, industrial painting and glazing.
Glazing
The institute’s glazing shop is designed to give apprentices practical experience using the tools, machinery, materials and equipment commonly found throughout the glass and architectural construction industry.
The facility is equipped with chop and miter saws, table saws, drill presses, grinders, brake machines, shear machines, pneumatic copy routers, power drills, impact drivers, as well as a broad selection of specialized hand and power tools.
According to Longmore, glazing students take part in full-scale projects covering multiple aspects of the trade. Their work includes aluminum framing, storefront systems, commercial entrances, curtain wall assemblies, glass installation, sealants and other building envelope systems.
FTIBC also maintains purpose-built glazing mock-ups where apprentices can develop and test a wide range of skills in a controlled training environment. These exercises include commercial entrance assembly, curtain wall installation, layout, measuring, fabrication, glazing, sealing and troubleshooting.
The institute is also a permanent testing location for the Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (AGMT) certification program, with dedicated spaces for both theoretical and practical assessments.
Painting and decorating
The Surrey facility has dedicated training areas for painter and decorator apprentices as well.
Students work on a broad range of skills, including surface preparation, coating application and the proper use of brushes, rollers and other painting equipment. Training also covers material handling and finishing techniques.
Industrial painting
FTIBC’s industrial painting program combines classroom teaching with practical shop training to prepare students for employment on industrial, commercial, infrastructure and major construction projects.
Apprentices learn surface preparation, sandblasting, coating application, and the use of industrial painting tools and equipment. Safe work practices commonly required on industrial jobsites are also an important part of the program.
Hands-on training gives participants direct experience with the preparation and application processes required for industrial coating systems.
The program places particular emphasis on proper surface preparation, safe material handling, the correct use of tools and equipment, coating application techniques, and an understanding of jobsite procedures and expectations.
Drywall finishing and lathing
Drywall finishing and lathing have their own dedicated hands-on training areas at FTIBC.
Students can practise drywall taping, finishing and sanding, while lathers develop the skills needed to build steel stud and structural frameworks for drywall, walls, ceilings and partitions.
Occupational Health and Safety training
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training is another major component of the institute’s programs.
FTIBC supports training in fall protection, aerial lift and elevating work platforms, confined space entry, swing stage operations, counterbalanced forklift operation and glazing crane operation.
The training goes beyond classroom theory. Students must demonstrate to instructors that they can safely operate equipment and carry out required work procedures.
OHS instruction also covers respirator fit testing, audiometric and hearing testing, WHMIS training and first aid.
By completing their OHS training at FTIBC, apprentices and journeypersons can obtain many of their required safety certifications at the same facility where they receive their technical trades training.
Demand remains steady across the finishing trades
Longmore says the finishing trades continue to provide employment opportunities, although, like other trades and industries, they experience ups and downs influenced by economic and political conditions.
Even so, he expects the finishing trades to remain busy most of the time because they serve the commercial, industrial and residential sectors.
And because finishing contractors are also involved in service work, the sector benefits from an additional source of demand from existing clients.
