Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program

PAT-VP gives veterans a plan, a new skill set, and support to make the transition from military to civilian employment.

About PAT-VP

Separating from the military without having a job lined up is tough enough. Being stuck there for months or even years is worse. In today’s economy, unemployment not only harms your finances — it can eat away at your confidence, your health, and your relationships with family and friends. But here’s the good news: we’ve got your back.

If you’re viewing this website, you’re one of a select group of veterans eligible for a special job-training program currently available in the United States. The training is FREE. The careers are in professional trades, with good pay, generous benefits, and a secure future. The work is challenging and ideally suited to military veterans.

Our intensive training lets you earn while you learn. You’ll be qualified to enter a wide range of professions, doing work that cannot be outsourced overseas:

  • Industrial and commercial coating and painting (for corrosion control and protection)
  • Glazing/glass and architectural metal
  • Drywall finishing
  • Floor covering installation

The Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program gives veterans a plan, a new skill set, and support to make the transition from military to civilian employment. You have been trained by the best and proudly served your country.  Now, the IUPAT stands ready to advance your skills and offer you a new career in the Finishing Trades through apprenticeship learning and on-the-job training.

About the IUPAT

Founded in 1887, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) represents men and women in the United States and Canada who work in the finishing trades.

Our members are highly trained in commercial and industrial painting, drywall finishing, floor cover installation, glazing, and sign/ display.

We have over 30 multi-craft training centers throughout the United States and Canada.

You have been trained by the best and proudly served your country. Now, the IUPAT stands ready to advance your skills and offer you a new career in the Finishing Trades through apprenticeship learning and on-the-job training. You’ve served your country. Now let us serve you.

Work Your Way Up the Union Career Path!

Get the training you need for a successful career with long-term security for yourself and your family. As your skills increase, so will your salary. Available to you FREE as a veteran or transitioning service member.

Free Training – Earn While You Learn

Veterans can save their GI Bill for future college courses.  We are proud to bring members of the military this opportunity for new career training at absolutely no cost to them.  In fact, you’ll be learning your trade on the job and in the classroom at the same time.  
That’s why we call it Earn While You Learn!

The Benefits of Union Membership

As a member on the job in the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, you not only receive skills and safety training, you earn eligibility for health insurance, a pension and other retirement savings opportunities like an annuity or 401k.

Training and Education Never Stop

Long after you complete your apprenticeship and become a journey worker in the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, you’ll have the opportunity to advance your skills and career through ongoing training and education.
Our training isn’t just in trade skills for the worksite; we also offer supervisor training to give you the tools to push your career forward.

Is a College Degree in Your Plans?  We Have You Covered!

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades partners with Mountwest Community and Technical (MCTC) college to give our members the opportunity to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Careers with the IUPAT

Get the training you need to succeed — FREE. No GI Bill payments are required, so you can save them for additional education and training in the future.

Opportunities for you include successful and secure jobs in a variety of professional trades:

Training Program

Get the training you need for a successful career with long-term security for yourself and your family. As your skills increase, so will your salary. Available to you FREE as a veteran or transitioning service member.

Every year, the American economy suffers more than $1 trillion in financial losses due to corrosion. Structures affected by corrosion include the following:

  • Bridges and water towers
  • Offshore drilling platforms
  • Ships and industrial equipment
  • Power plants, refineries, and factories

Preventing and repairing corrosion is a huge task, requiring thousands of working men and women. As a result, there is an immediate need for trained workers with specialized skills. Unlike other industries, jobs in this field are growing and offer long-term security. This is work that simply cannot be outsourced.

The training required for these jobs is perfectly suited to military personnel. And that career training — along with job-placement assistance and college credits — is available to you FREE as a veteran or transitioning service member.

Here’s a quick overview of this pilot program, available throughout the United States:

It all starts with intensive training designed for active-duty service members transitioning from military to civilian employment. You get the skills and knowledge to become a highly trained and expert industrial painter.

Earn while you learn! You complete an apprenticeship that includes paid work alongside an experienced journey worker. Your training is close to home at one of more than 100 facilities nationwide. Lessons in the field are delivered by our powerful Learning Management System (LMS). Plus, your training translates to college credits from Mountwest Community & Technical College (MCTC) in Huntington, West Virginia. This lets you keep going with your education should you choose to complete an associate’s degree.

You leave the classroom with Certificates of Completion in these six career subjects:

  1. Maritime Industry and Safety (OSHA compliant)
  2. First Aid/CPR
  3. Scaffold Awareness
  4. Basic Rigging
  5. Confined Space (OSHA compliant)
  6. Coating Application Specialist Level I (after passing CAS I exam)

Upon graduation, you are qualified for exclusive job placement with an employer/contractor and membership within the IUPAT, as well as entry into advanced Apprenticeship Programs.

  • Office Space and Landmark Buildings
  • Sports and Entertainment Venues
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Bridges, Water Towers, and Storage Tanks
  • Industrial and Construction Equipment
  • Power and Petro Chemical Plants
  • Ships (ocean-going and lake vessels)
  • Hospitals and Health Facilities

Training provided by the Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program will lead to professional jobs on projects across the U.S. and Canada, including:

You’re invited to take advantage of this no-cost training, which can make all the difference to you and your family.

Take the next step! contact us at recruit@iupat.org or pick up the phone and call 800-422-1144.

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