Careers in the finishing trades are in high demand.
They only require progress toward a high school diploma or the equivalent to get started.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) pushes students to become the best they can be.
Our grant-funded Worker Readiness Programs have placed over 60% of program completers into Apprenticeship Programs, leading to safe and fruitful careers.
Our Apprenticeship Programs have completion rates of over 80%.
Apprenticeship Programs employ 100% of participants.
As a society, we need to start giving young people the choice of going to a traditional college or university, or educating them about the diverse array of debt-free opportunities that exist in the finishing trades.
Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest (FTIUM) is an educational institute dedicated to developing professional tradespeople, advancing their skills and certifying their qualifications in the Upper Midwest.
Our learners include commercial painter decorators and industrial painters, drywall finishers, glaziers, glassworkers, sign technicians and convention workers.
FTIUM Apprenticeship Programs are all registered with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, the North Dakota Department of Labor, and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry where applicable. Each of them require:
Apprenticeship applications will be accepted on the basis that applicants have met and shown documented proof of all required minimum qualifications at the time of application.
Apprentices will be accorded equal opportunity in all phases of apprenticeship employment and training, without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), genetic information or disability.
All applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age *except as noted below. Applicants are required to submit reliable proof of age (e.g., a driver’s license, birth certificate or other acceptable documentation).
A high school diploma or GED is required. Applicants are required to submit reliable proof of education (e.g., a high school transcript or GED scores).
All applicants must possess sufficient educational knowledge to satisfactorily complete the OJL and RI.
* A high school diploma or GED is required unless an applicant can show proof of academic progress toward achieving a High School Diploma or GED at any time during their first ten months as an apprentice. If an apprentice does not complete a High School Diploma or GED within the ten months of enrollment, the apprenticeship will be suspended or terminated.
The Applicant shall be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the apprenticeship program without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves or any other individuals, with reasonable accommodations.
*An applicant who is seventeen (17) years of age and is participating in a school-to-work program or equivalent and who otherwise meets all qualifications may apply. Such an applicant must provide proof that a high school diploma or GED has been awarded and must be eighteen (18) years of age prior to being registered by the sponsor.
The applicant must be a Legal Citizen of the USA or Legal Alien authorized to work in the USA by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Proof must be shown at the time of application.
The applicant must have adequate transportation to attend On-the-Job Learning and Related Instruction classes.
All applicants must satisfy the Committee that they have the ability and aptitude to master the rudiments of the trade, based upon oral interview (if requested), written documentation submitted by applicant, and evaluation ratings.
Applicants must submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience if they are a veteran and wish to receive consideration for such training/experience and/or VA benefits.