Construction Carpenter Apprenticeship

Did you know?*

About 32 percent of all carpenters- the largest construction trade- were self-employed.
Job opportunities should be best for those with the most training and skills.
Between 3 and 4 years of both on-the-job training and classroom instruction usually is needed to become a skilled carpenter.

*Statistics retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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What Does a Carpenter Do?

Carpenters layout, construct; erect; install, repair, remodel, renovate or dismantle structures, fixtures, and temporary fixtures including scaffolding. Carpenters work with materials of wood; structural steel; light gauge steel; plastics; fiber; cork and composite. Carpenters set and install concrete forms; building frameworks that include partitions; joists; rafters; wood and concrete stairways; windows; doors; door frames; architectural hardware; fixtures; sheathing; roofing; hardwood floors; cabinets; countertops; interior trim; siding; drywall and insulation. Carpenters perform all interior and exterior finish work and are able to interpret blueprints; measure accurately; calculate dimensions; estimate materials and are effective in oral and written communication. They must have the ability to read and interpret blueprints, specification books, and schematics supplied by manufactures and architects. Carpenters must also coordinate and schedule work with other trades. The use of basic carpenter tools, optical equipment, lasers, mechanical tools, rigging and welding is also needed.

Tasks:

Form Building and Rough Framing, including: form building (floors, beams, joists, wall columns, stairs, etc.); rough framing (floor framing, wall framing, metal studs, drywall application, roof framing, rough framing for stair work, scaffold building, etc. Experience to be furnished in both house and heavy construction work.)
Exterior Finishing, including: application of cornice and outside wall trim, setting door and window frames and trim, roof coverings, etc.
Interior Finishing and Hardware, including: installation of jambs, doors, windows, cabinets, countertops, casework, paneling and stairs. Application of all architectural trims, moldings, casings, appliqués’, etc. Installation of door, window and cabinet hardware.
Interior Systems, including: installation of drywall, insulation, acoustical ceilings, moveable partitions, access panel systems, fixture work, owner-supplied equipment, etc.
Miscellaneous, including: Scaffolding, welding, care and maintenance of tools and equipment, demolition, or any other manipulative process not listed or implied elsewhere.

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What Are the Working Conditions?

Carpenters may work indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions requiring prolonged standing, climbing, kneeling and squatting. The work is physically demanding and may be performed in awkward positions, including heights and confined spaces. Must be able to travel and have the ability to work flexible hours.

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How is the Training Structured?

4 year training program
6,240 hours on-the-job training
400 hours paid related instruction
250 hours unpaid related instruction
Apprentice must, during their first two years, complete Red Cross First Aid and CPR Training courses.
Apprentice must in his/her final year complete the Transition-To-Trainer course.

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What are the Application Requirements?

Applicants must be at least 17 years of age
High school diploma or equivalent
Meet required norms on aptitude test (if required)
Physically able to perform trade
Valid driver's license or reliable transportation

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What Skills Should I Possess?

Mathematics- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and their applications.
Extent Flexibility- The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Finger Dexterity- The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Near Vision- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Static Strength- The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Arm-Hand Steadiness- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Trunk Strength- The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Stamina- The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

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Who Should I Contact In My Area?

Choose your area: Northeast | Northwest | Southeast | Southwest

Northeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Burt Harding Ben Stahlecker
Central Wisconsin Area Carpentry JAC	500 32nd St N Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 Phone: (715) 422-5375 Fax: (715) 422-5377	Ben Stahlecker
Fox Valley/Lakeshore Area Carpentry JAC	N2218 Bodde Rd Kaukauna, WI 54130 Phone: (920) 766-1515 Fax: (920) 766-7050	Lisa Perkofski
Green Bay Area Carpentry JAC	N2218 Bodde Rd Kaukauna, WI 54130 Phone: (920) 766-1515 Fax: (920) 766-7050	Burt Harding
Wausau Area Carpenters JAC	1630 County XX Rothschild, WI 54474 Phone: (715) 355-0800 Fax: (715) 355-0807	Ben Stahlecker

Northwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
Central Wisconsin Area Carpentry JAC	500 32nd St N Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 Phone: (715) 422-5375 Fax: (715) 422-5377	Ben Stahlecker
Eau Claire Area Carpentry JAC	mailing address: 2302 West Cameron St. Eau Claire, WI 54703	Travis Ludvigson
Wausau Area Carpenters JAC	1630 County XX Rothschild, WI 54474 Phone: (715) 355-0800 Fax: (715) 355-0807	Ben Stahlecker

Southeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Sandy Brietzman Sandy Destree
Lakeshore Area Carpentry Advisory Committee	1290 North Ave. Cleveland, WI 53015-1414 Phone: (920) 693-1279 Fax: (920) 693-3508	Sandra Destree
Madison Area Carpentry JAC	5202 Monument Ln Madison, WI 53704 Phone: (608) 241-0960 Fax: (608) 241-0930	Debbie Schanke
Southeast WI Area Carpentry JAC	N25 W23055 Paul Rd, Suite 3 Pewaukee, WI 53072 Phone: (262) 574-6995 Fax: (262) 574-6994	Bob Scheldroup

Southwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan Mary Harrington
La Crosse Area Carpentry JAC	2421 Larson St. La Crosse, WI 54603 Phone: (608) 788-6240 Fax: (608) 788-6250	Kathy O'Sullivan
Madison Area Carpentry JAC	5202 Monument Ln Madison, WI 53704 Phone: (608) 241-0960 Fax: (608) 241-0930	Debbie Schanke

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Additional Resources

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains information on all occupations. For more information on the Carpentry trade in the United States, visit:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos202.htm

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Sources: Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Position Descriptions,
Apprenticeship in Wisconsin Handbook