FTI NE hosted its 2019 Graduation Ceremony; Added 42 highly-trained tradesmen and women to the New England construction industry

To meet the increasing demand for skilled labor in Boston and across New England, the Finishing Trades Institute of New England (FTI-NE) has trained 42 graduating apprentices with the skills and certifications needed to join the industry in 2019.

On May 30, the FTI-NE, the education and training arm of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 (IUPAT DC 35), hosted its annual graduation ceremony where the graduating apprentices received their diplomas surrounded by family, friends, and their brothers and sisters in the union trades.

“At IUPAT DC 35, our goal is to shape the future of the construction industry by creating next-generation leaders. Our training program has given our apprentices the opportunity to learn and practice their trade, so that they are ready to work on the job site as soon as they graduate,” said Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager of IUPAT DC 35.

The FTI-NE runs a college-accredited apprenticeship program through IUPAT DC 35. Apprentices receive college credits for their academic work during the program, which they can utilize to pursue an associate’s degree.

“Every year, we have talented and hard-working apprentices coming out of the FTI-NE’s accredited apprenticeship program through IUPAT DC 35. These graduates are trained and ready to join the workforce,” said Eric Redding, Director of Training at FTI-NE.

• Guilherme Carrijo, Glazier from Attleboro, MA
• Sean Reimer, Painter from Green Harbor, MA
• Michael Henriques, Glazier from Taunton, MA

The FTI-NE apprenticeship program graduates exceptional apprentices to the painting and allied trades every year, making IUPAT DC 35 the standard of excellence in the industry. The program, which is more than 50 years old, encompasses training for commercial and industrial painters, drywall finishers, glaziers, architectural metal workers and sign and display workers.