Text Box: How do I Prepare for Apprenticeship? For those interested in becoming a skilled carpenter, the most importance of a well-rounded high school education cannot be overemphasized. A strong background in math and good communication skills are important. Good attendance is a necessity. Today's competitive industry requires carpenters to perform technical tasks, exercise good judgment and possess a strong work ethic. What are the Hours and Working Conditions? The typical workday for a carpenter begins early. He or she is often on the job site with a toolbox before daybreak, and he or she is hard at work before the sun is high in the sky. Much of the work is outdoors, but modern construction methods have eased the problems of summer’s heat and the winter’s cold. The average carpenter usually wears a hard hat, tough, durable work clothes and safety shoes or sturdy hi-top Shoes. What Tools are Needed? Contractors furnish all power tools, scaffolds and any tools not considered hand tools. The carpenter must have their own toolbox and tool belt and supply all hand tools necessary to perform as a carpenter. Text Box: Carpenters today are many things, from builders of small/ commercial projects to builders of the tallest of high-rise buildings in the world. Carpenters build shopping malls, hospitals, schools, bridges, airports, waste and water treatment plants and the most complex industrial sites today. A carpenter forms concrete, builds scaffold, welds metal, install metal frame, drywall, acoustic ceilings, doors, finish carpentry and cabinets. A carpenter installs floor coverings such as carpet, tile, hardwood, vinyl and computer floor systems. A carpenter does the layout for carpenters on the job as well as coordinates the other trades and sub-contractors on the job site. Their tools are hammers, fastening devices, digital and electrical devices and organized skills.

What is a Carpenter
Text Box: What about Training? The carpenter apprentice program is a four-year program consisting of 160 hours of school training per year. The apprentice attend school four times a year for a week of classroom training at the training center in Columbus. Each week of training is scheduled Monday thru Friday 7:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Apprentices are not paid to attend school, however they may be eligible to collect unemployment benefits for the week of training. There is no cost for the training and all necessary books and classroom related material is furnished by the JATC. What do we mean by Apprenticeship Training An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of skilled workers, called journeymen. It's on- the-job training. You earn while you learn and are paid a wage from the first day you're hired by a contractor. Apprentices usually start at about 60% of the skilled journeyman carpenter's rate of pay. Your wages are increased at periodic intervals until you reach journeymen status, which is usually in your fourth year of training. You're making money at no cost to you for the training.