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Carpenters Occupation Detailed Description

Carpenters career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Carpenters

The main tasks and work activities of Carpenters are to mark reference points on construction materials, measure materials or objects for installation or assembly, clean work sites, verify alignment of structures or equipment. In general, for the Carpenters, speaking, active Listening, monitoring, reading Comprehension and other 8 skills are required.
Carpenters Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Carpenters jobs. 39.44% of Carpenters have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 28.22% of Carpenters have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
16.51%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
39.44%
Post-Secondary Certificate
28.22%
Some College Courses
8.63%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3.25%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
3.95%

Tasks and Work Activities of Carpenters

  • Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
  • Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
  • Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level.
  • Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.
  • Study specifications in blueprints, sketches, or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required.
  • Assemble and fasten materials to make frameworks or props, using hand tools and wood screws, nails, dowel pins, or glue.
  • Build or repair cabinets, doors, frameworks, floors, or other wooden fixtures used in buildings, using woodworking machines, carpenter's hand tools, or power tools.
  • Erect scaffolding or ladders for assembling structures above ground level.
  • Remove damaged or defective parts or sections of structures and repair or replace, using hand tools.
  • Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpenters' hand or power tools.
  • Select and order lumber or other required materials.
  • Maintain records, document actions, and present written progress reports.
  • Finish surfaces of woodwork or wallboard in houses or buildings, using paint, hand tools, or paneling.
  • Prepare cost estimates for clients or employers.
  • Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas, such as heating or electrical wiring work.
  • Inspect ceiling or floor tile, wall coverings, siding, glass, or woodwork to detect broken or damaged structures.
  • Work with or remove hazardous material.
  • Construct forms or chutes for pouring concrete.
  • Cover subfloors with building paper to keep out moisture and lay hardwood, parquet, or wood-strip-block floors by nailing floors to subfloor or cementing them to mastic or asphalt base.
  • Fill cracks or other defects in plaster or plasterboard and sand patch, using patching plaster, trowel, and sanding tool.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of OthersGetting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Mark reference points on construction materials.
  • Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
  • Clean work sites.
  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
  • Cut wood components for installation.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
  • Install wooden structural components.
  • Remove worn, damaged or outdated materials from work areas.
  • Install building fixtures.
  • Install doors or windows.
  • Order construction or extraction materials or equipment.
  • Select construction materials.
  • Prepare operational reports.
  • Apply decorative or textured finishes or coverings.
  • Estimate construction project costs.
  • Coordinate construction project activities.
  • Inspect work sites to determine condition or necessary repairs.
  • Prepare hazardous waste for processing or disposal.
  • Build construction forms or molds.

Skills and Abilities for Carpenters

  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Speed of Limb MovementThe ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Gross Body EquilibriumThe ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • StaminaThe ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Levelse.g. A-frame levels
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Wood auger bite.g. Auger bits
  • Alignment jige.g. Baluster jigs
  • Power sawse.g. Band saws
  • Bandsaw wheele.g. Bandsaws
  • Power sawse.g. Beam saws
  • Jackse.g. Beam-lifting jacks
  • Belt sandere.g. Belt sanders
  • Biscuit jointerse.g. Biscuit joiners
  • Power staple gunse.g. Brad tackers
  • Levelse.g. Bubble levels
  • Levelse.g. Bullseye levels
  • Levelse.g. Calibrating electronic levels
  • Caliperse.g. Calipers
  • Levelse.g. Carpenters' levels
  • Pullerse.g. Cat's paws
  • Caulking gunse.g. Caulking guns
  • Guide jige.g. Chain saw jigs
  • Power sawse.g. Circular saws
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.