Become a Carpenter Apprentice
Carpentry is a great career choice for anyone who likes working with their hands and enjoys building things. Carpenters are highly skilled craftsmen who use their knowledge of carpentry and construction to build everything from houses to furniture. If you’re interested in becoming a carpenter, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Get an education. There are many different types of carpentry training programs available, including community colleges, vocational schools and trade schools. Some employers may even provide on-the-job training programs for new employees. The more education you have under your belt, the better your chances of getting hired as a carpenter!
- Take an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships are an excellent way to learn the ins and outs of becoming a carpenter; however, they can be hard to find unless you already know someone in that field who can help guide you through the process. There are many different types of apprenticeships available in carpentry such as bricklaying, drywall installation and cabinet making; however most people just stick with one specific type so it’s easier to find work later on down the road!
How To Become Carpenter Apprentice
Carpenters in the construction industry work with materials like wood and steel to create structures like homes and offices for their customers. To learn the skills of their trade, many carpenters become apprentices and develop their abilities under the supervision of a more experienced tradesperson. If you’re interested in a career as a carpenter, understanding the steps to get an apprenticeship can help you get started. In this article, we explain what a carpenter apprenticeship is, discuss how to get one and provide tips for becoming an apprentice.
Read more: FAQ: What Is the Job of a Carpenter? (Plus Benefits)
Get your personalized job feed on Indeed
Be the first to see new jobs in your area
What is a carpenter apprenticeship?
A carpenter apprenticeship is a training period for new carpenters to learn the trade and complete their work safely while an experienced carpenter supervises and mentors them. Some credentials require an apprenticeship or relevant work experience to apply, so these programs can be useful if you plan to become a licensed or certified carpenter and start your own business.
Besides preparing for your future career, becoming an apprentice in this field can teach you the skills you need to succeed and help you learn elements of carpentry like industry vocabulary, using different tools, reading blueprints and how to do your work while following safety regulations and recommendations. Plus, apprentices typically get paid for their work, so you get to learn and practice carpentry while receiving income.
Related: How To Become a Carpenter
How to get a carpenter apprenticeship
Follow these steps to help you learn how to get a carpenter apprenticeship and start your career in construction:
1. Get a high school diploma or GED
The first step to getting an apprenticeship in carpentry is to receive a high school diploma or your GED to prove your basic math, reading and writing skills. These skills help you complete typical carpentry duties accurately and independently, so mentors for apprenticeship programs often require these educational credentials for candidates. Taking carpentry classes in high school can also help you prepare for future work in the field and may impress potential mentors when you send in apprenticeship applications.
Related: Apprenticeship vs. Trade School: Benefits and Differences
2. Gain construction experience
If you want to get an apprenticeship in carpentry without a high school diploma or GED, many programs also accept candidates with experience working in construction. For example, some programs expect at least six months of previous jobs on construction sites if you don’t have educational credentials. Having a construction job as a laborer allows you to familiarize yourself with the various materials carpenters use, local safety regulations in the industry and potential carpenters who could be your mentor.
3. Fulfill additional requirements
Many apprenticeship programs also have additional requirements besides education and experience that help them choose candidates that can safely and effectively perform the work of a carpenter. Some additional requirements you may need to fulfill include being at least 18 years old and having good physical strength and stamina to lift and move heavy objects. You can typically find these criteria in the directions for an apprenticeship application or by contacting the director of the specific program in which you’re interested.
4. Choose a carpentry area
There are a few different areas of carpentry from which you can choose when starting the process of becoming an apprentice. Each area of this field focuses on a different type of carpentry work, like commercial versus residential structures, building with specific materials and creating structures in various size ranges. Consider researching local apprenticeships in a few areas of carpentry work to help you choose a program that matches your interests, abilities and future career goals.
5. Find an apprenticeship program
Once you’ve done your research and about areas of carpentry and satisfy the basic requirements for most apprenticeship programs, you can begin your search for a program that works for you. To find an apprenticeship, consider these sources:
- Local unions: Your local carpentry union may have a website or an office where you can find information about apprenticeship opportunities. Local unions are a useful source when you start your carpentry career because they regulate registered programs to ensure all apprentices have safe and useful experiences.
- Job boards: Online job boards may list carpentry apprenticeships that you can apply for using a digital application. Often, you can find the requirements, salary and location for these programs on the job listing, which makes it easy to understand the qualifications you can include on your application to increase your chances of being hired.
- Local contacts: Other good sources of information for carpenter apprenticeships are local carpenters you can contact to ask about their availability as mentors. While not every experienced carpenter may accept an apprentice, they can help guide you to others in their industry who want apprentices or give you details about where to find these programs.
6. Complete the application materials
After choosing a program you like, you can gather your application materials and ensure you meet the basic qualifications to become a carpenter’s apprentice. The specific materials you need may differ depending on the source of the program, like whether it’s directed by a union or a local carpenter you know, and the specific area of carpentry you choose. For most applications, you might need documents proving your education or references from previous employers.
Related: How To Write a Carpenter Apprentice Resume (With Example)
Top job searches near you
Tips for getting a carpenter apprenticeship
Use the following tips to help you prepare and get hired as a carpenter apprentice:
- Thoroughly understand the requirements. Since each apprenticeship program may have slightly different requirements for candidates, it’s important to understand what you need for mentors to consider you for apprenticeship. To ensure you don’t miss any important qualifications, consider making a list of all the documents, credentials and materials you need for an application.
- Contact people in your network. Experienced carpenters and recent apprentices can help you learn more about becoming an apprentice in the area and the specific steps you can take in your geographic location. Try to contact people in your network who understand apprenticeship programs or meet local carpenters who can give you more details.
- Consider additional vocational classes. Vocational classes are a great way to enhance your skills and show potential mentors and employers you’re dedicated to becoming a carpenter. There are a variety of classes you can take besides those that your high school may have offered, and you can typically find them at local vocational schools, colleges and community centers.
- Ask potential mentors questions. Once you find an apprenticeship program that interests you, it’s useful to contact the carpenters that would be your mentors in that program to ask them questions about the job duties, work environment and expectations. Asking these questions to potential mentors can help you decide if a program is a good fit for your career goals.
- Collect references in advance. If an application requires professional references, try to collect the names and contact information of people who know you professionally in advance. It’s also respectful to ask these people to be your references rather than just writing their information on an application so they can decide whether they want to be a reference.
- Understand your career goals. While becoming an apprentice is the first step to becoming an independent carpenter, preparing for the rest of your career often means understanding your career goals. In an interview with potential mentors, try to describe clearly how joining an apprenticeship program can help you reach those goals because this can add value to your application.
