Train

CARPENTRY

CONSTRUCTION

Carpenters build things like wood buildings, floor systems, roof framing, walls, ceiling, windows, and molding. Responsibility for following blueprints is expected as well.

Career Details

Skills

Students in Carpentry are trained in the following subject areas:

  • Constructing, installing, and repairing structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard
  • Measuring materials or distances to lay out work
  • Properly using hand and power tools to shape or cut materials to specified measurements
  • Building rough wooden structures such as concrete forms, scaffolds, and temporary frame shelters according to sketches, blueprints, or oral instructions
  • Following established safety rules and regulations and maintaining a safe and clean environment

Career Options

Most Carpentry graduates go on to work as carpenters in the public or private sector. Carpentry is a physically demanding industry, and carpenters must always be focused and aware of their surroundings to ensure safety for themselves and those around them.

Requirements

Before entering the Carpentry program, students must:

  • Complete the core curriculum with passing scores on all written and performance tests.
  • Have strong math and reading skills.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Credentials

As a Job Corps student, you will have the opportunity to earn credentials in your training area that may lead to greater employment opportunities, higher wages, and promotions.

Students who complete a center-based program in the Construction training area can earn nationally recognized credentials from organizations such as:

  • National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)

Students training in union-affiliated programs can earn a certificate of completion that offers apprenticeship opportunities and on-the-job experience from organizations such as:

  • United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC)
  • International Masonry Institute (IMI)
  • International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
  • The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
  • National Plastering Industry Joint Apprenticeship Trust Fund (NPIJATF)

Carpentry Numbers to Know

8-12

months to complete career training program

$42K

National average earning potential for this career

Expectations

While on the job, you will be expected to display the following traits at all times:

Attention to detail
Dependability
Integrity
Organizational skills
Physical strength
Problem-solving skills

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