Carpenter

Carpenter is the woodworking trades' construction training. You learn to build and assemble the parts of a house made of wood — from roof structures and rafters to windows, doors, floors and kitchens. When you are finished, you have a journeyman's certificate and are a skilled craftsman who can take responsibility for tasks from start to finish.

§What do you do in everyday life?

A carpenter's everyday is rarely the same two days in a row. You measure up read drawings cut and install. One week you may be building an entire roof structure on a new building the next you are installing new windows and doors laying floors or building a kitchen. You work both indoors and outdoors alone and in crews and you often see the result of your work finished right away.

• 01You learn to build roof constructions and raise rafters so the roof bears the load and stays watertight.
• 02You become good at mounting windows, doors and floors so they sit level and last for years.
• 03You learn to read working drawings and calculate dimensions so it fits the first time.
• 04You work with proper hand tools and machines and learn to do it safely.
• 05You get a craft where you can see and be proud of what you do.

§How do you get started?

You typically start with a basic course at a vocational school, where you learn the basics and try the trade in the workshop. Then you need an apprenticeship with a master carpenter or construction company where you alternate between going to school and working. As an apprentice you get paid during training and learn most by doing the tasks in reality alongside experienced journeymen.

§The way forward

With a journeyman's certificate as a carpenter many doors are open. You can stay with the tools specialise become a foreman or supervisor or you can take the leap and start your own business as a master carpenter. Want to study further the journeyman's certificate can be a springboard to study building designer or other technical educations.

“A house starts as lines on a piece of paper — and a carpenter makes it into something people can live in.”