Index

Intro
Main Duties
Employment Requirements
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Exclusions

Intro

Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials. They are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors, and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.

Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Main Duties

Carpenters perform some or all of the following duties:

Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
Prepare layouts in conformance to building codes, using measuring tools
Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials
Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems
Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware
Maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments
Supervise apprentices and other construction workers
May prepare cost estimates for clients.

Employment Requirements

Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
or
A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in carpentry is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
Trade certification for carpenters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
Trade certification for framers is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan.
Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified carpenters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

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