Carpentry

Carpenters are involved in many kinds of construction activity. They cut, fit, and assemble wood and other materials in the construction of buildings, highways, bridges, docks, industrial plants, boats, and many other structures. Carpenter’s duties vary. Some of these activities are: setting form for concrete construction; erecting scaffolding; or doing finish work, such as installing interior and exterior trim, framing walls and partitions, putting in doors and windows, building stairs, and hanging kitchen cabinets.

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 marketing, and fiberglass, or drywall, using hand and power tools, such as chisels, planes, saw, drills, and sanders. They then join the materials with the accuracy of their work with levels, rules, plumb bobs, and framing squares and make any necessary adjustments.

Carpenters may advance to carpentry supervisors or general construction supervisors. Carpenters usually have greater opportunities than most other construction workers to become general construction supervisors because they are exposed to the entire construction process. Some carpenters go on to be independent contractors. To advance these workers should be able to estimate the nature and quantity of materials needed to properly complete a job. In addition, they must be able to estimate, with accuracy, how long it should take to complete the job and the cost.

Program Summary

The emphasis of this program is HOUSE CONSRUCTION. Within our curriculum we include other technological and peripheral areas of wood technologies and related industries. The off-campus instruction aspect of the program is an extension of the main area of training that takes place in the school shop.

The four-year program is divided into five parts: Exploratory, Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors and is matched to today’s industry standards.  The post graduate program is an accelerated two-year program, in which the students are in theory and the shop everyday.

Opportunities

Membership in Skills USA/VICA (Vocational Industrial Club of America).  Students attend workshops and seminars while integrating with students from other vocational schools and competing against students and schools in the carpentry related field.

Co-op is available to qualified students and has been very successful. We have a waiting list of area contractors looking for good workers.

Additionally, our graduating students have an opportunity to attend many area colleges such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Quinsigamond College, Wentworth Institute, and Worcester State College.