Professional Carpentry Careers And Their Function In Society

One of the oldest and most in-demand building crafts is carpentry. Carpenters use raw materials (wood/timber) to create wooden fixtures and fittings. You could work as a carpenter installing doors, flooring, and furniture in building construction. You could also remodel or refit existing buildings, create sets for theatre and film production firms, and more.

THE BEST WAY TO BECOME A CARPENTER

There are many paths one can take to become a joiner or carpenter. You can earn the necessary credentials by completing an apprenticeship or college course. Investigate these options to see which is best for you. Despite the fact that some alternatives indicate educational qualifications, many employers are more interested in candidates who are passionate, open to learning, and able to follow directions. You might need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

COLLEGE OR TRAINING FACILITY

If you don't have any experience or are considering a change of job, some institutions offer part-time, intensive courses in carpentry and joinery. This could be an excellent method to determine if working with wood or timber is for you.

APPRENTICESHIP

A suitable starting point is a carpentry or joinery apprenticeship. Anyone over sixteen is eligible for an apprenticeship. You will have a full-time job with your employer as an apprentice, and you must work at least 30 hours per week. Your time will be divided between college or training facilities and on-the-job training.

It is necessary to complete a two-year intermediate carpentry and joinery apprenticeship. You may advance to higher-level training or specialize in furniture/cabinet building if your employer can give you the necessary experience.

For an apprenticeship, you might need GCSEs (including English and maths), but not all firms require them.

WORK HISTORY

Getting a job in the construction business requires experience. It is necessary to complete a two-year intermediate carpentry and joinery apprenticeship. Any prospective employer will be happy to see your employment experience on your resume.

SKILLS

Anyone thinking about working as a carpenter may find the following additional skills useful:

• The capacity to operate, maintain, and repair equipment.
• Understanding of construction and building.
• Design knowledge and abilities.
• Pay close attention to details and be meticulous.
• Outstanding verbal communication abilities.
• Good at collaborating with others.
• Capable of taking the initiative.
• Ability to operate a computer and critical software programs confidently.

WHAT IS THE JOB OF A CARPENTER?

You will be involved in the planning, chopping, and construction of furniture as a carpenter using various types of wood. A construction site, a client's home, or a workshop are all examples of work settings. Carpenters have the following responsibilities:

• Wood is measured, marked, cut, shaped, fitted, and finished.
• A variety of power and manual tools.
• Installing wall dividers, roof trusses, floor joists, and flooring.
• Interior fittings, including stairways, doors, skirting boards, cabinets, and kitchens.
• Constructing the framework for buildings, roads, dams, and bridges.
• Working with and creating technical drawings.
• Learning about the various types of wood and how they are used.
• Working in commercial or residential structures.
• Restoring old structures.
• Working on a building site, at a client's place of business or residence, or a workshop.
• Working outside in all weather and at heights or performing tasks in dusty environments.

5 GOOD REASONS TO TRAIN AS A CARPENTER

1. A HANDS-ON JOB

One of the key elements influencing good job satisfaction in skilled professions like carpentry is the capacity for hands-on work.

Many people don't think of working as a job as doing paperwork or staring at a computer screen. This is while seated at a desk in a cubicle. Carpenters and other artisans use their own hands to build and create things. Compared to other professional options, work is less monotonous because every project and day is different.

Construction is exciting and gratifying work for carpenters since they get to use their hands and can see the results of their labor in real-time.

2. CONSTRUCTION IS IN HIGH DEMAND

Construction is very large. Construction produces structures worth $1.4 trillion.

There is always a demand for constructing homes, offices, hospitals, schools, factories, highways, and other significant constructions. This suggests that the construction sector has a large number of available vacancies. Through December 2024, more than 1.3 million carpenters will be needed in the US.

Carpenters are among the workers in short supply in the construction sector for a variety of reasons. There aren't enough qualified carpenters working at the moment to meet the demands of all the various projects underway across the country. 

Carpenters and other skilled tradespeople are highly sought after. As a result, these areas provide a lot of prospects, improved job security, and better benefits. In the current market, skilled carpenters should always find suitable employment.

3. POSSIBILITIES FOR PROGRESS

Professional carpenters who demonstrate their expertise and worth in the field will gain opportunities to develop their careers into more significant positions. This is because construction is a merit-based sector.

The aging workforce adds to this opportunity. The median age of a skilled trades professional is 43, which is higher than the average age for most industries. This number has increased as fewer new graduates have entered the workforce behind the majority of construction employees. These individuals are getting closer to retirement age.

As they retire or change roles, the leadership positions that the seasoned experts in the construction sector are leaving behind will become available. Someone must step up and fill critical positions like a foreperson, site supervisor, or project manager. Those who begin their carpentry training now will be in a fantastic position to take advantage of these opportunities in a few years.

4. A GOOD JOB WITHOUT A COLLEGE LOAN

Compensation, like any employment, is a significant consideration. Because craft skills are distinctive and in high demand, the building sector pays well. Carpenters earn $56,877, or $26.92 per hour. Additional incentives for travel and overtime can raise take-home pay above these high base rates, sometimes reaching six figures.

Carpenters also have the advantage of not requiring any college debt. Another common requirement for employment is a four-year university degree, which can be expensive. The total amount of student debt in the US is $1.7 trillion. Typically, carpentry vocations are taught and trained using significantly less expensive methods. Some of these training options, like apprenticeships, actually pay the apprentice wages for the work they accomplish while receiving on-the-job training, enabling learners to make money even while they learn.

Careers in carpentry and other trades provide a wonderful head start compared to their classmates attending university, taking into account the decent income, the lack of student debt, and the chance to start earning money sooner.

5. A CHANCE TO HAVE AN IMPACT

Everyone aspires to make a lasting impression on the world. Carpenters offer the opportunity to influence lives.

When you work in construction, the things you create will help the community in the long run. These residences will house expanding families. Education will be in those institutions. Because of those gyms, churches, and businesses, lives will be altered.

The tasks you might do in a matter of months could last for 100 years or longer. People's fondest memories or most significant moments could involve you in a small but meaningful way. What a legacy to leave behind!

Carpentry is a fantastic job and a worthwhile career choice for all of these reasons and more.