Cabinetmakers

Nature of work

Cabinetmakers build, repair, finish and install custom or production-type wooden (or wood substitute) fixtures and furniture. They work for furniture manufacturing or repair companies, construction companies, and cabinetmaking contractors, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Cabinetmakers:

• Study plans, specifications, or drawings of articles to be made, or prepare specifications.
• Mark outlines or dimensions of parts on wood.
• Use woodworking machines like power saws, jointers, mortisers and shapers, and use hand tools to cut, shape and form parts and components.
• Trim joints and fit parts and subassemblies together to form complete unit using glue and clamps and reinforce joints using nails, screws, or other fasteners.
• Sand wooden surfaces and apply veneer, stain, or polish to finished products.
• Repair or restyle wooden furniture, fixtures, and related products.
• May estimate amount, type and cost of materials required.

Sample job titles

• cabinetmaker
• custom wood furniture maker
• furniture cabinetmaker
• journeyperson cabinetmaker
• wood furniture and fixtures patternmaker
• wood patternmaker

Skills

• Good hand-eye coordination and spatial perception
• Manual dexterity
• Mathematical ability
• Good eyesight to select woods and look for surface imperfections
• Strength and stamina
• Accuracy
• Ability to visualize a finished product from drawings, blueprints, or other specifications

Job requirements

• High school or equivalent (usually).
• A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school or college courses in cabinetmaking.
• Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours, and other criteria.
• Certification for cabinetmakers is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for cabinetmakers.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.

Other considerations

• Cabinetmakers typically work indoors in a shop environment. They may also work at locations where the products are installed.
• Hazards include high noise levels, sawdust, chemicals, and risk of injury from working with woodworking machinery, portable power tools, and hand tools.
• Heavy lifting may be required to handle equipment and supplies.
• Some cabinetmakers specialize in a type of product like custom-made furniture, stairs, or cabinet doors. In large shops using high-tech, computer-controlled equipment, cabinetmakers may specialize in one or two functions.
• Experienced cabinetmakers may act as mentors and trainers to new entrants in the trade. They may advance to supervisory or design positions or may open their own shop.
• 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