THE FINISHING TRADES INSTITUTE
of the Mid-Atlantic Region
OFFICIAL TRAINING PROVIDER OF
DISTRICT COUNCIL #21
Where Apprenticeships Meet Academics and Training Builds Careers
PAINTERS AND WALLCOVERERS • INDUSTRIAL/BRIDGE PAINTERS • DRYWALL FINISHERS • GLAZIERS • MULTI-CRAFT DECORATORS
Welcome to The Finishing Trades Institute of the
Mid-Atlantic Region (FTI-MAR)
As the official training provider of District Council #21 Apprenticeships, the FTI-MAR is unique compared to traditional Institutions. In addition to being recognized as a “trailblazer” in apprenticeships with the Department of Labor (DOL), we are also recognized as an accredited institution with the Council of Occupational Education (COE) and Licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools (DOE). We are proud to be the first stand-alone Building Trades Apprenticeship program in North America with this status!
Students at the Finishing Trades Institute accrue zero debt as part of the Earn As You Learn model. We currently have 100% job placement for students completing our programs. This is because FTI-MAR only admits the amount of students needed by each trade’s signatory contractors. We are recognized as a leader and innovator in the apprenticeship world and continue to change the model with our outside-the-box approach to training, diversity, outreach, and professional development of staff.
iFTI Reaffirmation of COE Accreditation Announcement:
The International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI) is applying for reaffirmation of accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. Persons wishing to make comments should write to the Executive Director of the Commission, Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Bldg. 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350, or submit their comments through the Council’s website (www.council.org). Persons making comments must provide their names and mailing addresses.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
We are “where apprenticeships meet academics and training builds careers.”
THAT MEANS:
- We are bridging the apprenticeship world with the academic world by using an Earn as You Learn Apprenticeship model, which is combined with a Recognized Academic Educational Program. Together, our programs prepare our apprentices to be the most proficiently skilled and academically educated professional trade journeypersons.
YOU EARN:
- Union Scale Wages
- Health and Welfare Benefits
- Pension and Annuity Retirement Plans
- High-Quality Safety Training in a Safe Work Environment
- Department of Labor Certification upon Completion of Course Standards & OJL Hour’s Requirement
YOU LEARN:
- Related technical classroom instruction/education, while earning credits towards Diploma/Degree at our state-of-the-art classrooms and lab spaces.
Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid- Atlantic Region Vocational Intern Partnership (VIP) Program for High School Students
The Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid-Atlantic Region’s (FTI-MAR) in partnership with the Philadelphia School District have developed a Vocational Intern Partnership (VIP) Program. This program is created to educate and provide hands-on experience in painting, drywall finishing and glazing to students in their Junior and Senior years of high school. The goal of the program is to provide our inner-city youth the opportunity to experience the potential that careers in the building trades have to offer by providing professional instruction and guidance in these trades. The program is geared to be a stepping-stone for students to progress from classroom to potential apprentices in these industries by teaching them the skills and knowledge that is needed to be a successful tradesperson.
This program is 14 weeks long and students attend the FTI-MAR on specified days during the regular school week. Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to receive recognized construction wide industry certifications, such as, OSHA 10, Scaffold Erector Dismantler and First Aid/CPR. Additionally, topics of instruction also include Trade Math, Labor History, Blueprint Reading and soft life skills including Interview Preparation.
TRAILBLAZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FTI-MAR
Accreditation
In 2009, the FTI became the first stand-alone building trades apprenticeship program to receive full accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Associate’s Degree
In 2016, the Glazing Program was the first apprenticeship program in Pennsylvania approved to confer an Associate’s in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
We have articulation agreements with Penn State, Rutgers University, Rowan University, and Jefferson University, empowering apprentices to complete their Associate's Degree from top universities in the area.
Awards
The Finishing Trades Program has received recognition for creating opportunity and fostering economic growth nationally, regionally, and locally:
The Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid-Atlantic Region is applying for reaffirmation of accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
Persons wishing to make comments should either write to the Executive Director of the Commission, Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Bldg. 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350, or submit comments on the Council’s website (www.council.org). Persons making comments must provide their names and mailing addresses.
Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania with District Council 21 staff at the Finishing Trade Institute of the Mid-Atlantic Region Philadelphia training center.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA 19116
Fax: 215-501-0138
Springfield, NJ
9 Fadem Rd.
Springfield, NJ 07081
Phone: 973-258-1607
Fax: 973-258-1609
Drums, PA
Can-Do-Corporate Park
Drums, PA 18222
Phone: 570-788-2814
7840 Roswell Road Building 300
Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30350
Telephone: 770-396-3898
FAX: 770-396-3790
www.Council.org