Carpenters make up the largest building trades occupation in the industry and those with all-around skills are in high demand. Carpenters are involved in different kinds of construction activities, from building highways and bridges to installing kitchen cabinets or repairing structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials. 

Program’s Curriculum

Carpentry Curriculum Level 1 & Level 2

Basic Safety (12.5 Hours)

Presents basic jobsite safety information to prepare workers for the construction environment. Describes the common causes of workplace incidents and accidents and how to avoid them. Introduces common PPE, including equipment required for work at height, and its proper use. Information related to safety in several specific environments, including welding areas and confined spaces, is also provided.

Introduction to Construction Math (10 Hours)

Reviews basic math skills related to the construction trades and demonstrates how they apply to the trades. Covers multiple systems of measurement, decimals, fractions, and basic geometry.

Introduction to Hand Tools (10 Hours)

Introduces common hand tools used in a variety of construction crafts. Identifies tools and how to safely use them. Proper hand tool maintenance is also presented.

Introduction to Power Tools (10 Hours)

Identifies and describes the operation of many power tools common in the construction environment. Provides instruction on proper use, as well as on safe-handling guidelines and basic maintenance.

Introduction to Construction Drawings (10 Hours)

Introduces the basic elements of construction drawings. The common components of drawings are presented, as well as the most common drawing types. The use of drawing scales and how to measure drawings is also covered.

Introduction to Basic Rigging (7.5 Elective Hours)

Provides basic information related to rigging and rigging hardware, such as slings, rigging hitches, and hoists. Emphasizes safe working habits in the vicinity of rigging operations.

Basic Communication Skills (7.5 Hours)

Provides good techniques for effective communication on the job. Includes examples that emphasize the importance of both written and verbal communication skills. Describes the importance of reading skills in the construction industry and covers proper techniques to use in a variety of different written communication formats.

Basic Employability Skills (7.5 Hours)

Describes the opportunities offered by the construction trades. Discusses critical thinking and essential problem-solving skills for the construction industry. Also identifies and discusses positive social skills and their value in the workplace.

Introduction to Material Handling (5 Hours)

Describes the hazards associated with handling materials and provides techniques to avoid both injury and property damage. Common material-handling equipment is also introduced.

Orientation to the Trade (5 Hours)

Reviews the history of the trade, describes the apprentice program, identifies career opportunities for carpentry and construction workers, and lists the skills, responsibilities, and characteristics a worker should possess. Emphasizes the importance of safety in the construction industry.

Building Materials, Fasteners, and Adhesives (7.5 Hours)

Introduces the building materials used in construction work, including lumber, sheet materials, engineered wood products, structural concrete, and structural steel. Also describes the fasteners and adhesives used in construction work. Discusses the methods of squaring a building. 

Hand and Power Tools (7.5 Hours)

Provides descriptions of hand tools and power tools used by carpenters. Emphasizes safe and proper operation, as well as care and maintenance.

Introduction to Construction Drawings, Specifications, and Layout (20 Hours)

Covers the techniques for reading and using construction drawings and specifications with an emphasis on drawings and information relevant to the carpentry trade. Introduces quantity takeoffs.

Floor Systems (27.5 Hours)

Covers framing basics and the procedures for laying out and constructing a wood floor using common lumber, as well as engineered building materials. 

Wall Systems (20 Hours)

Describes procedures for laying out and framing walls, including roughing-in door and window openings, constructing corners, partition Ts, and bracing walls. Includes the procedure to estimate the materials required to frame walls.

Ceiling Joist and Roof Framing (40 Hours)

Describes types of roofs and provides instructions for laying out rafters for gable roofs, hip roofs, and valley intersections. Covers stick-built and truss-built roofs. Includes the basics of roof sheathing installation.

Basic Stair Layout (12.5 Hours)

Introduces types of stairs and common building code requirements related to stairs. Focuses on techniques for measuring and calculating rise, run, and stairwell openings, laying out stringers, and fabricating basic stairways.

Introduction to Building Envelope Systems (12.5 Hours)

Introduces the concept of the building envelope and explains its components. Describes types of windows, skylights, and exterior doors, and provides instructions for installation.

Commercial Drawings Elective for Residential Path (25 Hours)

Describes how to read and interpret a set of commercial drawings and specifications.

Roofing Applications Elective for Commercial Path (25 Hours)

Describes how to properly prepare the roof deck and install roofing for residential and commercial buildings.

Thermal and Moisture Protection (7.5 Hours)

Covers the selection and installation of various types of insulating materials in walls, floors, and attics. Also covers the uses and installation practices for vapor barriers and waterproofing materials.

Exterior Finishing Elective for Commercial Path (35 Hours)

Covers the various types of exterior finish materials and their installation procedures, including wood, metal, vinyl, and fiber-cement siding.

Cold-Formed Steel Framing (15 Hours)

Describes the types and grades of steel framing materials, and includes instructions for selecting and installing metal framing for interior and exterior walls, load bearing and nonbearing walls, partitions, and other applications.

Drywall Installation (15 Hours)

Describes the various types of gypsum drywall, their uses, and the fastening devices and methods used to install them. Also contains detailed instructions for installing drywall on walls and ceilings using nails, drywall screws, and adhesives. A discussion of fire- and sound-rated walls is also presented.

Drywall Finishing (17.5 Hours)

Describes the materials, tools, and methods used to finish and patch gypsum drywall. A discussion of both automatic and manual taping and finishing tools is presented.

Doors and Door Hardware (20 Hours)

Describes the installation of metal doors and related hardware in steel-framed, wood-framed, and masonry walls, along with their related hardware, such as locksets and door closers. A discussion on the installation of wood doors, folding doors, and pocket doors is also presented.

Suspended Ceilings Elective for Residential Path (15 Hours)

Describes the materials, layout, and installation procedures for many types of suspended ceilings used in commercial construction, as well as ceiling tiles, drywall suspension systems, and pan-type ceilings

Window, Door, Floor, and Ceiling Trim (25 Hours)

Describes the different types of trim used in finish work and focuses on the proper methods for selecting, cutting, and fastening trim to provide a professional finished appearance.

Cabinet Installation (10 Hours)

Provides detailed instructions for the selection and installation of base and wall cabinets and countertops.