Hundreds of years ago, the Master Painter emerged in most countries throughout Europe as the pinnacle of the process whereby a young person (only a young man in those days) would begin the long journey towards the attainment of a 'craft.' He might start as an apprentice, then progress towards 'journeyman'. Only the 'creme de la creme' ascended to the lofty level of Master Craftsman ... in our industry, to the level of Master Painter.
1885 saw the emergence of the Master House Painters Association of the United States and Canada, based in New York City. It's purpose was "To remedy a defective apprenticeship system, to solve problems created by unsatisfactory materials, and to devise a means for assuring the public of the skill, honorable reputation and probity of master painters."
- 1890 The Master House Painters and Decorators Association of USA
- 1903 The Master House Painters and Decorators Association of USA and Canada
- 1904 International Association of Master House Painters and Decorators
- 1911 The Master Painters & Decorators Association was commenced
- 1927 The Master Painters & Decorators Association was incorporated
- 1928 International Society of Master House Painters and Decorators
- 1937 The Painting & Decorating Contractors of America
- 1996 The Master Painters Institute (MPI) was formed.
Apprenticeship, in simple terms,
is a program of "learning while earning." Unlike other vocational training, which is held in a school setting, apprenticeship is based solidly on an employer-employee relationship. The apprentice employee has voluntarily entered into a mutual agreement with an employer regarding training. It can thus be perceived that employment and training are interrelated. Apprenticeship can be seen as part of the "conditions of work."
Apprenticeable areas are in occupations requiring a wide and diverse range of skills and knowledge, as well as a high level of maturity, reliability, and judgment. Additionally, they are clearly identified and commonly recognized as separate and distinct trades requiring broad skills applicable throughout the industry. To paraphrase an old cliche, we are talking about "the Butcher, the Baker, the Tool and Die Maker." In the apprenticeship system, proficiency in the job is known as "journeyperson status." A journeyperson has well-rounded ability in all phases of each trade and requires a minimum of supervision. For the most part, the day-to-day training of an apprentice rests upon the journeyperson who in turn conducts training under guidelines set forth by the employer. These guidelines conform with State and Federal standards. The Apprenticeship Index gives more detailed information on apprenticeable trades. *
This is how Keith Lynch has achieved the title * Master Painter * .
* Master Painters Institute Inc.
info@northstarpainting.net
