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Skills that raise your rate

• Industrial coatings and abrasive blasting

  Spray-applied epoxy and urethane on steel. The best-paid work in the trade.

• Working at heights and swing stage training

  Needed for condo exteriors, bridges and water towers.

• Wallcovering and specialty finishes

  Wallpaper, faux finishes and plaster effects for high-end homes and hotels.

• Lead and asbestos awareness

  Homes built before the 1980s can have lead paint. Employers want you trained to handle it safely.