How to Become a Carpenter
Description
Students who are interested in becoming carpenters need to understand the pathways available to them. First, students need an understanding of the apprenticeship process. A carpentry apprenticeship is four years long. Each year consists of 180 hours (6 weeks) of technical training and approximately 1620 hours (44 weeks) of on-the-job, practical training. To begin an apprenticeship, a person must become registered as an apprentice with a carpenter contractor.
A foundations carpentry trainingcourse gives students the opportunity to receive Level 1 technical training plus practical skills to encourage a carpentry contractor to register and hire them as a carpentry apprentice. Some school districts in British Columbia offer partnership programs with post-secondary institutions that will allow students to gain their foundation level of training while in high school. Students also need to understand the role that the ITA (Industry Training Authority) plays in the apprenticeship process.
Lesson Outcomes
The student will be able to:
•Understand the apprenticeship model system and work-based training
•Identify the minimum educational requirements to get into the carpentry field
•Know the educational strengths needed to succeed as a carpenter
•Investigate apprenticeship opportunities within their school district
•Find post-secondary institutions that offer carpentry training within their region
•Understand the ITA’s role in the apprenticeship process
•Retrieve information about carpenters through website navigation
Assumptions
•Students are interested in investigating a potential career as a carpenter.
•Students have access to a computer or tablet for this Activity Plan (recommended, but not necessary).
Terminology
Apprentice: someonewhoworks fora skilledorqualifiedperson inorderto learnatradeor profession.
Carpentrycontractor: an employeror sponsorofcarpentry apprenticeswhoprovideswork- basedtraining forcarpentry apprentices.Carpentermeansapersonwhoperforms allwork inconnectionwiththe assembly and erectionoffalsework and forms forconcrete,wood and metalframeconstruction, and installs interior andexteriorfinishing materials for residential, commercial, and industrial projects,whileconformingto plans and specifications andlocal buildingcodes.Othertradeskills include layout,rigging/signalling,cutting/welding, andthe erection anddismantling of scaffolding.
Foundationprogram:allowsstudentsto learnthe basicknowledge and skills needed for entry intoatrade. It istypicallytaught inboththeclassroom and an in-school shop setting.You do not need an employeror sponsorto participate.
IndustryTrainingAuthority(ITA):theorganization responsible for leading andcoordinating the skilledtradestraining andcredentialingsystem forthe provinceofBC.ITA providesstrategic leadership,policysupport, andcustomer servicesto help apprentices, employers, andindustry. ITA sets programstandards, maintainscredential records, and issuesthe highly regarded InterprovincialRed Seal(IP) andBCCertificateofQualification(CofQ)credentials.
Interprovincial RedSealandBCCertificateofQualification:ThroughtheRed Seal program, certifiedtradespeoplecanobtaina“Red Seal” endorsementonaBCCertificateofQualification. TheRed Seal allowsqualifiedtradespeopletopractisetheirtrade in any provinceorterritory in Canadawherethetrade is designated,without havingtowritefurtherexaminations.
See additional informationontheRed SealProgram.CofQ isonly recognized inthe provincewhere it isobtained.
Trainingproviders:ifthetraining istobecountedtoward an apprenticeship, institutionsthat offertechnicaltraining mustbe approvedbytheITAtobecome anITA-RecognizedTraining Provider.
Work-basedtraining:on-the-jobtrainingthat requires specific learning outcomes.
Estimated Time
2–3 hours
Recommended Number of Students
20, based on the BC Technology Educators’ Best Practice Guide
Facilities
Computer lab with access to the Internet or class set of tablets. Teacher: Projector with computer and speakers, Internet access
Tools
Pen, pencil
Materials
Printed question sheet
Optional
If a class set of computers is not available, the teacher could lead a discussion about how to become ancarpenter using projector and laptop to navigate through websites and explain them. This could also be an opportunity to go on a field trip to a training provider and tour a carpentry training facility.
Resources
6 Steps to Success: Industry Training Authority
Industry Training Authority: Home Page
WorkBC
Career Trek BC
Apprenticeship Basics: Industry Training Authority
CarpentryExplorationActivitySheet
Teacher-led Activity
Use a projector with computer to show the ITA website and explain the apprenticeship model.
•Explain the apprenticeship process so students understand the apprenticeship model. See the Apprenticeship Basics link in the Resources section. The Red Seal Program is also explained on this page.
•Go to the Youth in Trades section and then the Programs tab. This section explains the ACE IT and SSA programs.
•Go to Trade Programs and select Carpenter, Construction. Download the Program Profile, which explains the apprenticeship pathway and educational requirements to become a carpenter.
•Find the Our Trades Training System section and select Training Providers. This section shows all public and private training providers for trade programs.
Student Activity
Option 1: Class Set of Computers or Tablets Is Available
Students navigate through the WorkBCwebsite and answer the questions found on the Carpentry Exploration Activity sheet regarding the carpentry trade.
Option 2: Class Set of Computers or Tablets Is Not Available
The teacher uses a projector and laptop to navigate through websites and leads a discussion about how to become a carpenter. Students complete the Carpentry Exploration Activity sheetas the teacher moves through the sites. Once complete, have students draw a graphical
representationof the apprenticeship process showing foundation-level training, and the school and work portions of each year of training, culminating with the Red Seal qualification.
Evaluation Guidelines
The student:
•Completes the answer sheet accurately
•Actively participates in the activity
•Actively participates in class discussion
•Actively participates in the optional extension activity
Optional Extension Activity
Students could create an account on the ITA website and in the Discover Apprenticeship Programs section, select the Essential Skills section. If students enter the site and create an account they may complete a free Essential Skills assessment. This assessment should take about an hour and should give the students a good idea of the skills they have and the skills they need to develop to become a carpenter.
Carpentry Exploration Activity
Find out some facts about carpenters. Use the website
It’s time to do some career exploration.
1.Find the Career Profile for a carpenter. The NOC (National Occupation Classification) number you are looking for is 7271.
a.List the first six main duties of an carpenter:
a. List five facts about carpenters’ work environment.
a. How many weeks in total will an apprentice spend getting his or her classroom educational training?
2.Answer the following questions concerned with demographic information:
a.What is the median hourly wage of a full-time carpenter in the current workforce?
a. What percentage of workers havefull-time employment in the industry?
Find the Employment Outlook.
3.What is the expected change in the unemployment rate between 2010 and 2020?
4.Watch the Carpenters (NOC 7271) video (link is on the WorkBCpage).
a.How many hours of training are required to become a carpenter, according to the video?
a. What are the typical winter working hours for a carpenter?
a.What five skills are required to be a carpenter, according to the video?
5.Why are math skills important for carpenters?
6.What is a common general misconception about the job duties of a carpenter, according to the carpenter interviewed in the video?
Optional Extension Activity
Go to and search for two carpentry contractors in your area. List them on this sheet.
Carpentry Exploration Activity Answers
1.a. Carpenters perform some or all of the following duties:
•Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
•Prepare layouts conforming to building codes, using measuring tools
•Measure, cut, shape, assemble, and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel, and other materials
•Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring, and erect walls and roof systems
•Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding, and hardware
•Maintain, repair, and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants, and other establishments
See more at:
b.Five facts about carpenters’ working conditions:
•Carpenters typically work 40 hours per week. They may have to work longer hours to complete projects on time.
•Work may also be seasonal in nature. Construction activity is limited in the winter outside of the Mainland/Southwest and Vancouver Island/Coast regions. As a result, carpenters in these regions may work longer hours during the summer. Options for work during winter months in these regions may also be limited.
•Carpenters work alone or in teams.
•The work environment can be indoors and outdoors, and is often noisy and dirty.
•Carpenters must take appropriate safety precautions when lifting materials, working from heights, and working with equipment and tools.
3.The unemployment rate will drop from 12.1% to 9.9%.
4.a. Total hours of training—6500
b.Typical winter working hours—8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
c.Five skills required to be a carpenter:
•Numerical ability
•Spatial perception
•Motor coordination
•Manual dexterity
•Object-oriented
5.Math skills are important in order to built accurately and avoid construction mistakes.
6.A common general misconception about carpenters is that they simply build furniture.