HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical route starts with Grade 10–12 courses in English, math, and shop or woodworking, plus any school programs that let you build practical skills. Many students gain early experience through part-time work, co-op, or volunteering in a woodworking, furniture, or cabinet shop. After secondary school, some take a college carpentry or related trades program, while others learn on the job as an apprentice or helper, depending on the employer and province. Employers often value strong hand-eye coordination, safety awareness, and the ability to read drawings, measure accurately, and use hand and power tools.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Study plans, specifications or drawings of articles to be made, or prepare specifications
- Mark outlines or dimensions of parts on wood
- Operate woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, mortisers and shapers, and use hand tools to cut, shape and form parts and components
- Trim joints and fit parts and subassemblies together to form complete unit using glue and clamps and reinforce joints using nails, screws or other fasteners
- Sand wooden surfaces and apply veneer, stain or polish to finished products
- Repair or restyle wooden furniture, fixtures and related products
- May estimate amount, type and cost of materials required.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
BuildingManual/power ToolsMeasuringPlanningDrawings/Blueprints