Painters
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Job description
These individuals prepare, package, and apply coatings to various building surfaces. They also apply wallpaper. They sandblast and finish, as required. They are self-employed or work for:
- Companies specializing in painting buildings
- Construction companies (commercial, industrial, residential, institutional)
- Wholesalers, distributors, and retailers of wall coverings
- Renovation centres and hardware stores
- Real estate companies
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Odours
- Nontoxic dust
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Hazardous workplaces
Main tasks
- Read and interpret plans and work orders.
- Mix and match colours of covering products.
- Apply stains and varnishes according to specifications.
- Perform touch-ups, as required.
- Maintain a variety of equipment.
- Install reinforcements or iron corners, as required.
- Fill joints, as required.
- Estimate the quantity of materials required and costs.
Advancement and mobility
- Qualified Painters obtain a Red Seal endorsement upon successful completion of the Interprovincial Examination.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
DVS in peinture en bâtiment
Placement rate: 87%
2.6% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Certificate of qualification.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Active listening
- Time management
- Critical thought
- Social perception
Abilities
- Hand-arm stability
- Core strength
- Overall balance of the body
- Colour perception and distinction
- Physical flexibility in extension
- Near vision
- Oral comprehension
- Manual dexterity
- Speech clarity
- Written comprehension
- Limb coordination
- Overall coordination of the body
- Endurance
- Static muscle power
- Verbal skills
- Control accuracy
- Deductive reasoning
- Distance vision
Knowledge and attributes
- Autonomy
- Capacity to adapt
- Capacity to work in a team
- Versatility
- Sense of initiative
- Attention to detail
- Respect standards and regulations
- Sense of observation
- Commitment to quality
- Knowledge of buildings and construction
Interests
- Make, build, install
- Self-employment
- Work manually
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) (CNP 73112)
Skill type
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026