Courtesy photo Two students work outside of Baker Mansion as part of Student Painters, a group that is part of Young Entrepreneurs Across America, that has recently transitioned into Pennsylvania over the past few years, according to branch manager for the Altoona area, Ja-Neil Wehr.

A program aims to teach communication and business skills through painting.

Student Painters is part of Young Entrepreneurs Across America, an internship program that not only provides students with skills but also helps them earn money for tuition.

Started in Ontario, Canada, in 1987, Student Painters has been active in this area for the past four years.

“As a company, we have been operating for 37 years, mainly in Michigan and Ohio, but have made the transition to Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on central Pennsylvania” over the last few years, said Ja-Neil Wehr, branch manager for the Altoona area.

Painting typically runs from May until mid- to late-August and Wehr said he expects to hire 10 to 15 painters. While most painters are college students, the company does have students between high school to college, but all are college-

age, said Wehr, a business management major at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business with an interest in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Student Painters do exterior work on residential and commercial properties.

“One of our more notable jobs in the area was repainting all of the trim and shutters on the Baker Mansion this past summer,” Wehr said.

Wehr said the typical project is a two-story home using a crew of four to five painters.

“On average, it takes around a day and a half to complete a job like that for us. We try to be as quick and efficient as possible while still guaranteeing quality work,” Wehr said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.