More about the apprentice program

What is apprenticeship?

The system of apprenticeship first developed in the late middle ages and came to be supervised by craft guilds and town governments. A master craftsman was entitled to employ people as an inexpensive form of labor in exchange for providing formal training in the craft.

How does the SAA apprentice program work?

If you are a professional decorative painter looking to master your craft, you will study to move from one level to the next. Professionals must undergo a specific amount of field hours. The School of Applied Arts alumni and instructors are committed to utilizing fellow PAA alumni for needed labor and to help each other accumulate apprentice hours. When an alumni member or instructor has a job/project, they post it on the school schedule as apprentice hours for others to work on for a minimum rate of reasonable pay.

Do the Hours on personal jobs count?

You are allowed to use your personal recorded man-hours (field hours) and apply them to these credits during your transition between Journeyman and Craftsman only. On Student and Apprentice levels, you must work under Journeyman and Craftsman.

Does the school require this program?

In order for a student to move from level to level, or to get your certification, you must complete a required amount of apprentice/field hours.

How many hours are required?

Student requires 168 recorded apprentice hours

Apprentice requires 120 recorded apprentice hours

Journeyman requires 120 recorded apprentice/Field hours

Craftsman level requires 120 recorded apprentice/Field hours

Why is this required by the school?

Apprentice hours and field experience are required so that the School of Applied Arts can certify that the students are competent practitioners.