Course Overview

Brighten a dreary room, highlight a home’s architectural detail or launch a rewarding career. In our nationally accredited Painting & Design course, students learn how paint can do it all. As students learn to create inviting interiors and exteriors for residential and commercial structures, they’re introduced to the following skills:

• Stripping, spackling and otherwise preparing surfaces for paint.
• Applying paint using a variety of brush, spray and faux finishing techniques
• Removing and hanging wallpaper and other wall coverings
• Staining and finishing wood, as well as varnishing and restoring furniture
• Color coordination and interior decorating

Practicing on-the-job safety, developing product knowledge and producing cost estimates are important elements of the course, too. Students hone their skills through a combination of expert instruction and hands-on training with professional-grade equipment. Training includes on-campus maintenance projects and off-campus activities like painting LCTI’s student-built house.

Upperclassmen are encouraged to test their skills by securing resume-building internships or co-op positions with local companies, such as Sherwin Williams. They also have multiple opportunities to earn industry credentials that signal their experience to employers and qualify them for articulated college credits.

Our Painting & Design course is accredited by the following organization:

NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research)

Course details

Course length: 9 months

Next start date(s): Fall 2025 dates TBD

Tentative schedule: 8:15 am – 2:45 pm, M-F

Program availability is contingent on high school enrollments and open seats.

Credentials & college credit

Students who complete our course earn the following industry-recognized credentials:

• NCCER Credentials
• OSHA Certification via CareerSafe
• Pennsylvania Skills Certificate via NOCTI
• Pennsylvania Builders Association Skills Certificate

Students who complete our course are well-positioned to earn associate degrees at the following school(s):

• Lehigh Carbon Community College

Career Pathways

with credentials earned at LCTI:

• Residential/Commercial/Industrial Painter
• Wallcovering Installer
• Furniture Finisher/Restorer

with credentials + experience or college degree:

• Interior Designer
• Construction Manager

Learn more about potential career pathways.

If you’d like more information in regard to Adult Workforce Education, please contact Amy Rex at 610-799-1316 or rexa@mylcti.org. Individual tours are available by appointment.