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FACTOIDS:
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• Nearly one-third of carpenters -- the largest construction trade in 1998 -- were self-employed.
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• In the 1997 economic census, Nevada led the US in percentage of the population working in the construction industry with more than 4 percent.
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• Celebrity carpenters: Jimmy Carter, Harrison Ford and St. Joseph.
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- Carpenters handle many different kinds of construction activity. They cut, fit, and assemble wood and other materials for buildings, highways, bridges, docks, industrial plants, boats and many other structures. A carpenter's duties vary widely by the employer and nature of the job.
- Each carpentry task is somewhat different, but most involve the same basic steps. Working from blueprints or instructions from supervisors, carpenters first do the layout -- measuring, marking and arranging materials. They cut and shape wood and other materials using hand and power tools, and then join the materials with nails, screws, staples or adhesives. The final step involves checking accuracy with levels, rules and other instruments and making adjustments.
- Carpenters who remodel homes and other structures must be able to do all aspects of a job and not just one task.
- Carpentry can be strenuous work with lots of standing, climbing, bending and lifting. Carpenters risk injury working with sharp or rough materials, using sharp tools and power equipment and from slips or falls. A lot of the work is also done outside, which can be a mixed blessing, depending on the weather.
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- A carpenter needs the basic skills to handle tools and materials accurately, efficiently and safely. Good manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, physical fitness and a sense of balance are important, as is the ability to read and interpret blueprints and other drawings. Just imagine trying to build a house without drawing a picture.
- Attention to detail in the construction process is essential to the quality of the final product and is the hallmark of a good carpenter.
- A carpenter who wants to advance into construction management or independent contracting will need to know how to prepare estimates, both of the nature and quantity of materials needed to properly complete a job and how long a job should take to complete and its cost.
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- No particular education level is required, but a high school education or equivalent is desirable as reading and basic arithmetic skills are essential.
- Carpenters learn their trade through on-the-job training, as well as formal training programs. Most pick up skills informally by working under the supervision of experienced workers. Many acquire skills through vocational education. Others participate in employer training programs or apprenticeships.
- Most employers recommend an apprenticeship as the best way to learn carpentry, and several unions and building trade associations sponsor programs. Employers and apprenticeship committees generally view favorably any training and work experience obtained in the Armed Services or Job Corps.
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- Carpenters are forecast to be in demand through 2008 due to turnover and continued strength in the construction industry.
- Occasional periods of unemployment occur due to the short-term nature of construction projects and the industry's cyclical nature. Regional factors also play a role.
- Technological change comes slowly to the construction industry. While the use of modular building components will reduce the need for some highly skilled carpenters, the overall impact on employment is not expected to be large.
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Sources: Occupationbal Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Hiring Tools; US Census; Biography.com
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