Exploring the Job of Carpenters
Carpenters are called upon to complete a number of different tasks, though the primary task is to construct structures. The work environment of a carpenter career is often on-site and requires working and coordinating with many other workers, with many of the other workers specializing in different trades.
As with any construction trade, carpenters must also perform heavy physical labor, which can require one to be in good physical condition. In addition, work conditions can be inside and outside, causing one to be subject to the weather.
Work for carpenters is often steady, with most working a great deal of overtime during busy seasons. At the same time, carpenters can be unemployed for months at a time depending upon weather and construction needs.
Pay during busy times is often very high for carpenters. Insurance is a requirement for every carpenter, however, and the payments for this insurance are often taken straight out of their paychecks. The job generally involves utilizing a great deal of creativity, and for those that enjoy physical activity and construction, the career can be quite rewarding.
Educational Requirements for Carpenters
Carpenters learn both through informal and formal training. To become a skilled carpenter, around three to four years of on-the-job training and classroom instruction is needed. Those interested in the field, however, can get a jumpstart while in high school as many high school classes are helpful for those interested in pursuing a career in carpentry.
Gaining experience outside of high school usually involves interning with a more experienced carpenter. While working with a more experienced carpenter as a ''helper,'' an individual interested in a career in the field can also attend either a trade school, vocational school, or community college in order to receive further training and knowledge. Some formal apprenticeships are also offered by employers. These apprenticeships combine hands-on experience and classroom instruction.
Some of the training those interested in becoming carpenters will receive includes instruction on common carpentry jobs, such as layout, form building, rough framing, and outside and inside finishing. Carpenters must also learn how to use a variety of tools, machines, equipment, and materials.
Classroom instruction for carpenters typically involves instruction on safety as well as in specialized areas such as blueprint reading, freehand sketching, basic math, and other techniques. Apprenticeships for carpenter jobs are limited, but those wanting to be carpenters can gain experience and training through vocational-technical schools and through training academies. This type of training is looked favorably upon by employers. The carpenters union is also a great resource for finding training opportunities.
Completing a formal apprenticeship program allows a carpenter to receive certification as a journeyperson. In addition, a carpenter can earn certifications in a variety of specialty areas, such as scaffold building, high torque bolting, or pump work. Carpenters also have the potential to become supervisors, but many find that advancement requires being bilingual in Spanish and English in order to communicate effectively with all workers.
