The St. Paul Painters Pre-Apprenticeship Program, a partnership between St. Paul Community Development Ministries and the Chicago Painters Union District Council 14 of Chicago, recently announced the graduation of five recent Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduates and their placement into full time jobs.
Three leading union painting contractors, Ascher Brothers, All-Tech Decorating, Inc. and ERA Valdivia, hired the graduates. Additionally, the program’s new cohort began a new 12-week program on July 7, 2025.
The St. Paul Painters Pre-Apprenticeship Program helps young men and women interested in the construction trades by serving as a critical pipeline for union apprenticeship programs and union contractors in Chicago’s finishing trades. The program offers access to resources and training so they can pursue careers in the construction trades and shows them how a career in the trades can offer growth, stability and an opportunity to create a better life.
“This partnership shows the commitment from local employers and leading painting contractors to hire St. Paul Painters Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduates,” said Miles Beatty, executive director of Finishing Contractors Association of Chicago (FCAC). “Our program builds skilled local finishing trade talent which strengthens the ties between labor and the community while providing a pathway for community members to build their career and flourish in their communities.”
Four years ago, the partnership between St. Paul’s Ministries and the Chicago Painters Union District Council 14 formed, although the first apprenticeship program came to life nearly 25 years ago as Pastor Kevin Ford of St. Paul Ministries and union leaders first collaborated to offer young men a pathway into the construction trades.
“This program is changing lives and creating real, sustainable career paths,” said
Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford, President, St. Paul Community Development Ministries. “We’re grateful to our union partners for recognizing the value of these individuals and investing in their futures through the program as it uplifts young men and women and gives them purpose and pride while creating financial stability and a career path.”
To date, more than 270 young men and women have completed the program with a 95% placement for program graduates. Graduates have the entry-level skills for admittance to union apprenticeship, receive industry-recognized certification and continued support services, and ultimately a career path that affords competitive wages, benefits and a retirement pension.
“This collaboration is a powerful example of what can happen when community organizations,
labor unions, and employers come together with a shared purpose: building brighter futures,” continued Beatty.
Apprentices train at the Painters Union Apprenticeship Program, Finishing Trades Institute of DC14 Chicago state-of-the-art training facility and receive hands-on education from top industry instructors who have spent cumulatively years in the field working. The carefully planned curriculum delivered with their individual expertise and perspective provides a unique real-world learning environment that exposes the apprentices to all aspects of the finishing trades.
Graduates of the program take away a sense of pride and purpose, investment in their trade and community and a career path that creates financial stability. Currently there are two cohorts of the St. Paul Painters Pre-Apprenticeship Program each year with a goal of expanding to four cohorts a year if additional support and funding is secured.
More information on the program can be found at https://www.finishingchicago.com/apprenticeship-program/
