Apprentice
A drywall apprentice is a trainee learning to install, finish, and repair drywall (gypsum board) on walls and ceilings, combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to master skills like measuring, cutting, taping seams, applying compound (mudding), sanding, and texturing, progressing from basic tasks to complex projects under experienced professionals to become a skilled journeyman.
Key Responsibilities
- Installation: Measuring, cutting, and hanging drywall sheets.
- Finishing: Applying tape and joint compound (mud), sanding for smooth surfaces, and creating textures.
- Support: Moving materials, setting up scaffolding, and cleaning job sites.
- Safety: Following strict OSHA and company safety protocols.
- Learning: Reading blueprints, learning new techniques, and operating specialized tools.
How it Works
- Earn While You Learn: Apprentices get paid wages, often starting at a percentage of a journeyman's wage, with benefits and pay increases as they progress.
- Structured Training: Programs last several years (often 3-4) and include a mix of supervised work and formal classroom/online education.
- Career Path: It's a pathway to a stable, lifelong career in construction, offering skills in high demand and the potential to become an independent contractor.
What They Learn
- Basic Skills: Handling tools, material prep, hanging, taping, mudding.
- Advanced Skills: Spray texturing, Venetian plaster, architectural details, using stilts/lifts.
- Professional Skills: Estimating materials, time management, leadership.