Carpenters build, install and frame. They play a big role in original construction or remodels of almost every kind of structure. Like any profession, a carpenter may focus in a certain area like residential, maintenance, commercial, pile driving, bridge mill, cabinet making or exterior-interior work. Or, a carpenter may choose to be skilled in multiple areas.

Carpenters work with power and hand tools. They build forms for concrete, frame buildings, walls, footings, columns and stairs. Wood framing includes house building, roofs, stairs, decking and sheathing. Carpenters install doors, windows, storefronts and handrails. They build cabinets, counter tops and finish stair handrails. They also work on drywalling, wood flooring, metal jams and ceilings. Carpenters do interior and exterior finish work, work with drywall, metal studs, and install other systems, welding and many other related work processes.

Conditions

• Strenuousness: Very physical with standing, climbing, kneeling, lifting and squatting
• Environment: Indoors and/or outdoors
• Location: Job sites change, maybe several times in a year which requires travel
• Nature of work: varies. Some work is quite strenuous, others very delicate and precise like finish work or cabinetry

Abilities

• Manual: Use of hands to manipulate objects, tools and controls
• Health: body strength needed for flexibility, agility, stamina, good eyesight
• Awareness: often exposed to odors, dust, contaminates or sounds, carpenters wear protective and safety gear
• Spacial acuity: create, design or visualize: understand concepts in 3-D
• Accuracy: Follow directions, complete measurements, read information

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Persons interested in becoming a carpenter usually needs several years of work related experience, on the job training, apprenticeship and/or vocational training. Training can be informal and be gained through on the job training through an employer. The most standard method is through formalized apprenticeship training that may require 5200 to 8000 hours of standardized, on the job training and a requirement to attend training classes for 144 to 603 hours per year.

Check into Blue Print -Your education and training for information on carpentry training and education sites in Pierce County.

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This career pathway shows the typical way a person enters Carpentry and advances in the profession. Some may enter directly via entry level jobs, building professional skills through their work experience.

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