What Does a Carpenter Do?

Carpenters work mainly with wood, wood-substitutes, or other material such as drywall, plaster, steel, copper or tiles. Carpenters may construct, erect, install, maintain or repair various structures and be responsible for framing and forming or finishing cabinets, doors, stairs and other major wooden structures.

 

 

Learn about the business case for training apprentices in the carpentry field

Essential Skills for Success as a Carpenter

Job -Related Skills, Interests and Values

• Reading and interpreting blueprints and drawings
• Planning the most effective way to complete a project
• Using knowledge of the qualities of wood (grain, density, flexibility) to select the best material for the job
• Laying out, measuring, cutting assembling and joining various materials
• Using a variety of hand and power tools safely and effectively

To view the Essential Skills necessary to work as a Carpenter click on the following link and scroll down to Carpenter NOC code 7271: http://www10.hrsdc.gc.ca/CE/English/ShowProfile.aspx?v=201

What Preparation and Training Do You Need

To become a Carpenter, you should preferably have a secondary school diploma (although Grade 10 is the minimum educational entry requirement in Ontario under the TQA) before entering and completing an apprenticeship program of 7200 hours. If you are currently attending high school, you may benefit from enroling in a Construction focused Specialist High Skills Major program. For more information, please click on the following link:

http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/studentsuccess/pathways/shsm/construction.pdf

What’s Your Future as a Carpenter?

Most Carpenters work full-time, usually with building construction firms or residential/commercial building developers, but a significant number are self-employed. Technological changes in the field will mean that carpenters will need to become computer literate in order to work with computer based drawing, estimating and cost reporting systems. Examples of typical employers include:

• Interior and Finishing construction companies
• Residential Building Developers
• Commercial Building Developers
• Building Construction firms
• Self-employed

For additional information about this career, check out the construction sector website at: www.CareersInConstruction.ca

Wage Rate

• An Apprentice generally makes significantly less than a journeyperson
• A Carpenter’s wage increases as he/she gains more experience and skills
• As skills and knowledge increase, wages do as well; a general Carpenter can make from $25.00-$40.00/hour depending on the quality of their work

Self-Rating

Ask Yourself: Is Working as a Carpenter For You?

Can you stand for long periods of time, carry and lift heavy material?	Yes      No
Can you communicate effectively with co-workers and customers?	Yes      No
Do you enjoy planning a job from start to finish?	Yes      No
Do you enjoy keeping up with new technology and new materials? shape or form?	Yes      No
Can you look at a blueprint or diagram and visualize how things come together?	Yes      No
Do you enjoy working with numbers and performing calculations?	Yes      No
Are you good at working independently or as part of a team to accomplish a task?	Yes      No

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, a career as a Carpenter may be for you!

You may also want to explore other careers that require similar interests and skills, such as:

• Industrial Woodworker
• Cabinetmaker
• Machinist
• Plumber
• Tool & Die Maker
• Electrician