District Council 16

The history of the Painters and Allied Trades Apprenticeship in the west started at the same time trades unions were founded. District Council 16 of the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades was established in 1934 in San Francisco, California, with many of its Locals chartered in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The Apprenticeship programs back then, as is now, was a means for a person to learn a set of skills and craftsmanship that would command a better than average wage. Over 20,000 apprentices have graduated through our programs to become successful crafts persons throughout the years!