Carpenter
 

   Employment Outlook: Above average occupational growth

   Physical Requirements: Lifting between 11 & 25 kg (approximately 25 to 55 lbs)

   Educational Requirements: General high school diploma
 
 

Introduction

Carpenters construct, erect and repair buildings and other structures made of wood, wood
substitutes, steel and other materials.
 
 

Duties

Carpenters' duties vary according to the type of job: residential construction, other construction
(commercial, industrial), or maintenance.

In residential jobs, carpenters crib the basement, build the house framework, walls, roof and exterior
finish, and install doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, stairs, handrails, panelling, moulding and
ceiling tiles.

In other construction jobs, they build concrete forms, scaffolding, bridges, trestles, tunnels, shelters, towers and other structures.

In maintenance jobs, they repair and remodel existing structures of all kinds.

Most carpentry tasks involve
 

Carpenters must work accurately and economically, and follow national and local building codes. Some carpenters specialize in a particular type of work
such as framing, bench work or finishing work.
 
 

Working Conditions

Carpenters may work alone, in teams or with helpers. There is some risk of injury from slips and falls, falling objects, and sharp hand and power tools.
Other working conditions vary from one job to another. For example, on some jobs carpenters work primarily indoors, are permanently employed and
work a regular 40-hour week. On other jobs, carpenters work primarily outdoors, are subject to seasonal unemployment, and routinely work overtime in
peak periods.

Lifting wood and other materials weighing up to 25 kilograms may be required.
 
 

Skills, Interests, Values

Carpenters need the following characteristics:
 

Education Requirements

Carpenters generally acquire their skills through apprenticeship training or by learning informally on the job.

To enter the Carpenter apprenticeship program administered by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, applicants must have at least Grade 9
education or equivalent (or pass an entrance exam), and find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to
hire high school graduates and select apprentices from among their current employees.

While still in high school, students can begin an apprenticeship program and earn high school credits at the same time through the Registered
Apprenticeship Program (RAP). After high school graduation, RAP apprentices may complete their apprenticeship programs as full-time apprentices.

To register in the apprenticeship program, the apprentice and the employer complete an application form together and submit it to the closest
Apprenticeship and Industry Training office (see the "Other Sources of Information" section of this profile). Once the application is approved, a contract is
signed by the apprentice and the employer.

The term of apprenticeship is four years (four 12-month periods with a minimum of 1360 hours of employment each year). In addition to the
on-the-job training, the term also requires eight weeks of classroom training for each year. Applicants who have successfully completed related courses of
study or work experience may be eligible for advanced standing in the apprenticeship program.

The classroom training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently available at

       the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton,
       the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary,
       Fairview College,
       Keyano College in Fort McMurray,
       Medicine Hat College,
       Lakeland College in Vermilion,
       Lethbridge Community College, and
       Red Deer College.

When apprentices attend training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies. Human Resources Development Canada
may provide employment insurance benefits to apprentices attending classroom training. For more information, contact your local Human Resources
Development Canada office.

After successfully completing the required examinations and hours of employment, an apprentice is awarded an Alberta Journeyman Certificate. Those
who pass an approved interprovincial exam qualify for the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal which means their trade qualifications are recognized
throughout most of Canada.

Outside of the apprenticeship program in Alberta, the following institutions offer carpentry-related programs.

       Alberta Vocational College - Lac La Biche offers a 16-week Pre-Employment Carpentry certificate program. The admission requirements
       are generally the same as those for apprenticeship.
       Alberta Vocational College - Lesser Slave Lake offers a 14-week Pre-Employment Carpentry certificate program. The admission
       requirements are generally the same as those for apprenticeship.
       Lakeland College in Vermilion offers a 12-week Pre-Employment Carpentry certificate program. The admission requirements are generally the
       same as those for apprenticeship.
       NAIT offers a one-year Millwork and Carpentry pre-employment program. The minimum admission requirement is Grade 10, including English
       and math. However, English 30 or 33 and Mathematics 30 or 33 may be required to gain admission to this competitive-entry program. NAIT also
       offers related courses through its Continuing Education Division.
 
 

Other Requirements

Apprentices usually begin to acquire their own tools as soon as they start to work in the trade.
 
 

Employment and Advancement

Most carpenters are employed by construction contractors, are self-employed or do construction or maintenance work for government agencies, utility
companies or manufacturing firms.

Experienced carpenters may advance to foreman and construction superintendent positions or become contractors. Carpenters are involved in every step of
construction which is an advantage when applying for supervisory positions. With additional training, carpenters can also transfer their skills to related
occupations such as cabinetmaker or lather-interior systems mechanic.

For the foreseeable future in Alberta, the employment outlook in this occupation is expected to be above average compared to all other occupations.
 
 

Salary

Apprentice carpenters earn at least 60% of the journeyman wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70% in the second, 80% in the third,
and 90% in the fourth year. Journeyman wage rates vary, ranging as high as $27 an hour, but generally average about $17 to $20 an hour (1996
figures).
 
 

Other Sources of Information

Apprenticeship and Industry Training Offices are located at Career Development Centres or Canada/Alberta Service Centres in Bonnyville, Calgary,
Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Hinton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Peace River, Red Deer, Slave Lake and Vermilion.
E-mail address: aitinfo@aecd.gov.ab.ca
Website address: www.tradesecrets.org

Business Representative, Carpenters and Joiners Local 1325, 10425 Princess Elizabeth Avenue, EDMONTON, Alberta, T5G 0Y5.

Chair, Construction Trades, Lethbridge Community College, 3000 College Drive S, LETHBRIDGE, T1K 1L6.
Website address: www.lethbridgec.ab.ca

Chair, Trades Division, Keyano College, 8115 Franklin Avenue, FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta, T9H 2H7.
Website address: www.keyanoc.ab.ca

Coordinator, Trades Department, Medicine Hat College, 299 College Drive SE, MEDICINE HAT, Alberta, T1A 3Y6.
E-mail address: dwilson@acd.mhc.ab.ca

Dean of Trade Technologies, Fairview College, Box 3000, FAIRVIEW, Alberta, T0H 1L0.
Website address: www.fairviewc.ab.ca

President, 2103 Calgary Carpenters, 301 10 Street NW, CALGARY, T2N 1V5.
Website address: cwppofa@cadvision.com

Program Head, Woodworking, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, 11762 106 Street, EDMONTON, Alberta, T5G 2R1.
Website address: www.nait.ab.ca

Training Coordinator, Merit Contractors Association, 10951 120 Street, EDMONTON, T5H 3R2 or 205, 2725 12 Street NE, CALGARY, T2E 7J2.
Website address: www.meritca.com
 
 

For further information on career planning, occupations and educational programs, contact the nearest Career Development Centre or
Canada-Alberta Service Centre (see the "Government of Alberta" listings in the telephone directory). Or, contact the Career Information
Hotline by telephone at 1-800-661-3753 (in Edmonton call 422-4266) or by e-mail at hotline@aecd.gov.ab.ca. Hearing impaired individuals can reach
the Hotline by calling 1-800-232-7215 for message relay (in Edmonton call 422-5283).

The information contained in this profile was current as of the date shown. Salaries, employment outlook and educational programs may
change. Please check the information before making any career decisions.