Vulcan Painters Employee Named Top Apprentice

Bessemer, AL Feb 13--Thomas Long of Vulcan Painters Inc. has been selected as the Apprentice of the Year for the Finishing Trades Institute of District Council 77 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). District Council 77 represents eight local unions in five states, including Alabama. Long was selected from 190 apprentices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama.

Charles R. Hill, director of the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI) of D.C. 77, said each local selects an apprentice to represent their local as their apprentice of the year. The names are submitted to the apprenticeship committee of FTI which selects the top apprentice from the finalists, based on a number of criteria, including: leadership skills, attitude toward coworkers and instructors, communication skills, safety attitude, knowledge of the right tool for the job and safe use of tools, ability to follow directions, taking pride in the work and the trade, willingness to help others, attendance, achievement above the minimum requirements, and community involvement.

"Mr. Long has exceeded this criteria, and proven that he stands out above the rest," said Hill.

“Additionally as a great statement to his knowledge of our trade he has also been selected to take the Coating Application Specialist (CAS) Training class.” The CAS program is used to certify craft workers who have experience and training in all aspects of surface preparation and coatings application on complex industrial and marine structures.