Carpenters

Nature of work

Carpenters build, install, renovate, maintain, and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel, concrete, and other materials. They work for construction companies, carpentry contractors, and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other businesses, or they may be self-employed.

Boat builders build, assemble and repair small commercial vessels used to navigate in, on through or above water using any method of propulsion. They work for boat building companies and repair shops.

Job duties

Carpenters:

• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements.
• Prepare layouts that meet building codes using measuring tools.
• Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel, and other materials.
• Constructs formwork (concrete), framing, including floor systems, a, decks and wall systems, exterior and interior finishes and performs renovation specific activities.
• Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and build walls and roof systems.
• Fit and install trim items like doors, stairs, moulding, and hardware.
• Maintain, repair, and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other businesses.
• Supervise apprentices and other construction workers.
• May prepare cost estimates for clients.
• Use wood, fibre or glass-reinforced plastic, steel and other metals to build the hull of a vessel.
• Use and maintain hand and power tools, dismantle, inspect, replace and assemble boat equipment and partners, install internal and external boat hardware fittings, build boat frameworks, build interior support structures for boats and install insulation.
• Assembling sections of the boat like the rigging and mast if it is a sailing vessel or installing the engine.

Sample job titles

• apprentice carpenter
• boatbuilder
• carpenter
• construction carpenter
• framing carpenter
• journeyperson carpenter
• prefabricated house carpenter
• renovation carpenter
• rough carpenter

Skills

• Manual dexterity.
• Hand-eye coordination.
• Spatial perception and materials handling ability.
• An aptitude for math.
• Balance for working on scaffolding.
• The ability to follow and communicate written instructions.
• The ability to work as a team.
• Some artistic ability is an asset.
• Enjoy creating things with their hands, working with wood, and mastering their craft.

Job requirements

• Array
• Array

Other considerations

• Setting: both indoors or outdoors, at heights, from ladders, staging, rooftops, in confined spaces, and in hazardous settings. Working conditions vary.
• Some jobs are mainly indoors, carpenters are permanently employed, and work a 40-hour work week. Other jobs are mainly outdoors and impacted by seasonal unemployment with routine overtime in peak periods.
• Carpenters may work alone or in teams.
• Risks: slips, falls, falling objects, injuries from sharp hand and power tools. Carpenters must stand, crouch, and kneel for long periods. Often need to handle items weighing up to 25kg.
• Carpenters may specialize in forming, framing, finishing, interior systems, or renovation.
• Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
• Jobs in the construction industry are affected by seasonal changes and economic conditions. Work may be on a project basis. Workers should be prepared for periods of unemployment.
• Experienced tradespeople may advance to positions like foreperson or superintendent or be self-employed.
• They may progress to related occupations like construction managers, project managers, supervisors, inspectors, home building managers, renovation managers, or contractors.
• Carpenters work in every part of building construction, which provides them an advantage when applying for supervisory positions.
• Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

Regulations

Contacts