Homebuilding Career
Hi! I’m a Carpenter
As a carpenter, I’m in Canada’s largest group of skilled workers. We are the ones who help construct, install, maintain, and repair all of the wood structures and products in a home.
Here are some of the skills you need:
- Understanding of planning and engineering documents
- Envision a finished project from the plans
- Math and measuring
- Good problem solving
- Time and task management
Carpenters are a large group and you can usually find them on site with tools and wood around them. It’s a physical job and one that takes measurement, math, problem-solving and decision-making too.
Every day on the job as a carpenter, you see your work come to life. From building the frame of a home to interior finishes like stairs and outdoor adornments like decks and fencing, carpenters are needed to make a house look and feel like a home.
Mid-Range
>$54,000
Average Salary
High-Range
>$79,000
Average Salary
What are the training or certification requirements?
Most jobs require a high school diploma and workers can take introductory four-to-10-month training programs that prepare them for entry-level carpentry positions. A four-year apprenticeship program is required for certification, which is not required in BC.
What’s the earning potential?
The mid-range average salary is $54,080 and the high range is $79,290.
Where can I learn more about this career?
Click here to learn more about this career from Skilled Trades BC, with links to technical training providers.
Related Resources
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
Learn MoreCAF-FCA is a non-profit organization that connects Canada’s apprenticeship community. It works collaboratively with the construction industry to support a vibrant and innovative apprenticeship system with a view to developing a highly skilled, inclusive and mobile skilled trades workforce.
TradeUpBC
Learn MoreTradeUpBC is a provincially-funded initiative that connects tradespeople to all BC post-secondary institutes. The primary goal is to elevate and broaden the accessibility of microcredentials and professional development opportunities for tradespeople across the province.
SkilledTradesBC
Learn MoreSkilledTradesBC is a public sector organization that works with employers and industry partners to advance BC’s trades training system. They also issue credentials, support apprentices, fund programs and promote a wide range of rewarding careers in the trades.
Student WorkSafe Resources
Learn MoreThis is the place to start if you’re a secondary school career education or apprenticeship educator. Student WorkSafe resources are designed to support the B.C. career education curriculum.
Looking for Another trade?
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association has identified approximately 40 provincially designated skilled trades in the residential construction industry.
Find your future in these job possibilitiesFind Your Trade
Discover the right trade for you!
SkilledTradesBC has developed this quick, fun quiz which will help you explore the best skilled trades for you!
All you need to do is pick a few words that describe yourself and the quiz will match you with your top five trades!
inspire the next generation of homebuilders
The Homebuilders Initiative (Hi!) is on a mission to promote skilled trades and construction as a career of choice!
If you are passionate about your career in construction and have worked in the skilled trades for plus 5 years, we would like to talk to you about joining us as a volunteer Homebuilders Initiative Ambassador.
Reach out to dani@chbabc.org for more information.
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