Become a Master Carpenter

The first thing to know about becoming a master carpenter is that “master carpenter” isn’t an official title, which means even an Get-Started-in-Woodworking can call themselves one if they like. But if you want to become a professional who has really earned the nickname “master,” you need to become a certified journey worker by entering an apprenticeship. The requirements for this are pretty basic. You can either enter one right away, or take a couple of additional steps beforehand to better prepare yourself. The length and workload of your apprenticeship will vary depending on where you do it, but they generally follow a similar path toward certification.

Steps

Meeting Basic Requirements

  1. Assess your talents and interests. Keep in mind that carpentry can be a rewarding as well as demanding occupation. Before you take the time pursuing a career in it, consider your strengths and preferences regarding how you hope to spend a typical working day. Ideally, you should enjoy:
    • New challenges
    • Problem-solving
    • Physical labor
    • Working in various conditions (indoor, outdoor, and inclement weather)
  2. Earn a Finish-High-School. There a few different ways to start your training as a carpenter, and you don’t necessarily need to have graduated from high school to start them all. However, regardless of how you choose to start, anticipate having to enter an apprenticeship program at some point. Before you do this, be sure to earn a high school diploma, a GED (General Education Diploma), or an equivalent degree in order to qualify.[1]
  3. Focus on Improve-Math-Skills. Expect carpentry to involve lots of mathematics. If you’re still in high school or earning your GED, double down on your math classes. If you’ve already graduated and feel like math wasn’t your strong suit, brush up on it through resources like:[1]
    • Adult education or tutorship
    • Apps designed to test and strengthen your math skills
    • Mentally doing the math for everyday situations (like totaling your grocery bill).[2]
  4. Get in Get-in-Shape. Be aware that carpentry can often be a physically demanding job. Anticipate having to stand on your feet for long hours, lift heavy objects and equipment, and engage in repetitive actions like bending and climbing. Also keep in mind that you will need to be very precise in your handiwork, regardless of how tired you feel. If you tire easily, start exercising with a focus on:[1]
    • Strength
    • Stamina
    • Dexterity
    • Hand-eye coordination
    • Agility

Beginning Your Training

  1. Start as a helper. This step isn’t a must, so if you’re eager and qualified to begin more direct training in the field, feel free to skip it. However, if you’re unable to begin an apprenticeship right away and a local carpenter or construction crew is hiring helpers, take advantage of it. Use this opportunity to learn what you can by observing journey workers in action while completing other tasks on-site. This is an ideal learning experience if you are:[1]
    • Under the age of 18
    • Still earning your high school diploma or equivalent
    • Still waiting to become a U.S. citizen or legal resident
  2. Earn a PACT certificate. As with the helper position, obtaining a PACT (Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training) certificate isn’t strictly necessary in order to become an apprentice. However, if you have little to no experience with any form of construction, consider the benefits of earning one. These include:[1]
    • Introductions to carpentry as well as painting, plumbing, masonry, landscaping, and other building trades.[3]
    • Lessons on tools, construction materials, math, safety, and first aid.
    • Certification that qualifies you for entry-level employment in the construction trade.
  3. Find an apprenticeship program. Whether or not you decide to start as a helper or earn a PACT certificate, consider an apprenticeship as an absolute must in becoming a journey worker. Commit to a two- to four-year program, during which you will receive both technical training in class settings and on-the-job training from a journey worker. Programs are available through various sources, so to find one in your area, contact local:[1]
    • Construction unions
    • Contract associations
    • Contractors
    • Technical schools
    • Colleges[4]

Becoming a Journey Worker and Beyond

  1. Complete your technical training. The exact curriculum for your technical training may vary depending on the exact apprenticeship program that you joined. However, expect to attend roughly 144 hours of instruction each year that your program lasts. Subjects covered in this class setting may range from:[1]
    • Basic carpentry and math skills
    • Blueprint reading
    • Structural framing[4]
    • Building code requirements
    • Safety and first aid
  2. Finish your on-the-job training. Again, the exact number you need to fulfill may vary according to your program, but expect on-the-job training to take up the bulk of your time. Anticipate having to complete approximately 2000 hours of paid training per year while working on site with one or more journey workers. Obviously, the aim of this is to bring you up to their skill-level by the end of your program, but in the beginning, expect instructions in simpler tasks like:
    • How to use both power and hand tools safely and proficiently.
    • Basic carpentry like measuring and cutting studs.
  3. Fulfill additional coursework. First, complete the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety courses when specified by your program, which is a must for all programs in the U.S.[1] Additionally, if you became an apprentice through a college, keep in mind that earning an associate’s degree may be part the program. Anticipate having to take general education courses in conjunction with your training.[4]
    • General education courses may include subjects like English, math, and science.
    • 60 or more credits of general education may be required on top of your technical and on-the-job training.
    • Many colleges offer online courses for their general education requirements to make life easier for apprentices.
  4. Complete your final exams. Expect most if not all programs to finish with one or more exams that you must pass in order to become certified as a journey worker. The exact nature of these vary from program to program, but whatever form they take, bone up and study. Prove your skills and knowledge so you can achieve your hard-earned credentials.[1]
    • A journey worker credential will enable you to work on your own, without supervision. This qualifies you to pursue work as an employee for an established contractor or start your own business.
  5. Gain experience. Technically, there’s nothing keeping you from calling yourself a "master carpenter" once you become certified as a journey worker. However, hold off on advertising yourself as such. For now, stay humble and simply bill yourself as a journey worker. Then aim to do the best job possible.[5]
    • Gain even more experience by pursuing additional training. Keep up on new carpentry methods and materials. Round out your skillset in other related areas in construction (including construction management).[1]
  6. Build your reputation. Keep in mind that online reviews and social media make it quite easy for potential customers to check out your previous handiwork. Expect people to be far more negative in their comments if you billed yourself as "master" and then botched a simple job. Wait until you've earned a solid reputation with clients and employers so they will back your skills up and confirm that you're a "master" at your trade.[5]
    • A good rule of thumb to follow is to gain roughly 10 to 15 years of experience before billing yourself as a “master.”


Tips

  • The information above is specific to the United States. Other countries may require different or additional steps toward a career in carpentry.

Warnings

  • Before entering any carpentry training program, make sure it is approved by the state you live in or the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program (D.L.A.P.).

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/carpenters.htm#tab-4
  2. ↑ https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2012/05/09/everyday-ways-to-improve-your-mental-math-skills/
  3. ↑ http://www.hbi.org/Products-Services/Licensing/PACT
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://learn.org/articles/Master_Carpenter_Your_Education_Questions_Answered.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.angieslist.com/articles/journeyman-or-master-carpenter.htm
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Become_a_Master_Carpenter&oldid=291353"