For certification, painters must pass a written examination and have at least 2 years of experience in the field. High school, trade or vocational school, or community or junior college training in automotive painting and refinishing may substitute for up to 1 year of experience. To retain certification, painters must retake the examination at least every 5 years. Experienced painting and coating machine operators with leadership ability may advance to supervisory jobs. Those who acquire practical experience or college or other formal training may become sales or technical representatives to large customers or for chemical or paint companies.
Some automotive painters open their own shops.
Job Outlook Little change in employment of painting and coating machine operators is expected through the year 2005 as technological improvements enable these operators to work more productively. Nevertheless, several thousand jobs will become available each year as employers replace experienced operators who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. Turnover is moderately high, reflecting the hazardous working conditions and wages that are below other machine operative jobs. In manufacturing, employment of painting and coating machine operators is expected to decline, reflecting the increasing automation of paint and coating application. Improvements in the capabilities of industrial robots allow them to move and aim spray guns more like humans.