Drywall Finisher and Plasterer
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:
- tapes and finish wallboard (drywall)
- applies tape to fire rate and gas proof walls
- installs beads to protect corners
- fills joints and imperfections
- mixes and applies compound and sands to create a smooth surface
- textures concrete, prepared walls and ceilings
- applies coats of plaster to foundation materials
- wires mesh and installs ornaments
Red Seal trade
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training.
The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Drywall Finisher and Plasterer at 5,400 (approximately three years), which consists of 4,920 hours on the job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training. These hours are consistent with apprentice training hours previously set out in regulation under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, R.S.O 1990.
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:
- trade knowledge and safety
- taping preparation techniques
- taping standards and requirements
- special application techniques
- interior base and finishing plaster procedures
- plaster veneer systems procedures
- cornice moulding and ornamental moulding
- cast and pre-fabricated moulding and cornice production
- exterior cement plaster or aggregate techniques
- drywall, taping, and plaster repair
- special application and coating techniques
Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:
- block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
- day release (one day per week from September to June)
- part-time (night-school programs)
- alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)
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— under the title Drywall Finisher and Plasterer: www.red-seal.ca.