Carpenter Apprentice

Carpenters are involved in a wide variety of construction activities. Carpenters are responsible for bringing an architect’s blueprints to life by cutting and assembling wood, fiberglass, metal, vinyl, plastic and other materials to create the interior and exterior of structures. Carpenters build or renovate everything from homes, schools, churches and hospitals, to malls, airports, skyscrapers and highways and their duties vary by the type of employer. A carpenter employed by a specialty trade contractor, for example, may specialize in one or two activities, such as setting concrete forms for concrete construction or erecting scaffolding. However, a carpenter employed by a general building contractor may perform many tasks such as framing walls and partitions, putting in doors and windows, hanging cabinetry and installing paneling and tile ceilings. Working from blueprints or instructions from supervisors, carpenters do the layout, measuring, marking and arraigning of materials, and using lasers and GPS locating devices. Carpenters use both hand and power tools including chisels, saws, planes, drills, and sanders. They use nails, screws, staples, bolts and adhesives to join material. Carpenters also weld piling, metal framing, and industrial applications and are required to be certified in a specific process for structural weld applications. The title of Carpenter is broadly interpreted by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America to include the specific craft trades of Carpenter, Floorlayer, Lather, Millwright, Pile Driver, and Mill Cabinetmaker.