If you enjoy creating things with your hands and want to hone your woodcraft abilities--then try carpentry. Carpenters build and repair buildings and other structures. You must work accurately and economically plus follow national and local building codes.

As a carpenter you can be a generalist in residential, commercial or maintenance. Some carpenters specialize in one type of work such as framing, bench work or finishing work.

Your training includes how to:

• read blueprints and/or get instructions from a supervisor/instructor
• do a layout--select materials, plan sequence and work method, measure and mark materials
• cut and shape materials
• join materials with nails, screws, bolts or glue
• check completed units to be sure they are level, square, plumb, and the right size, shape and location

Being an apprentice means you learn on the job as well as during the required training periods. A carpentry apprenticeship period is four years including a minimum of 1,360 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year.

For more information about the Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training go to www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca Carpenter is one of eight trades offered at Lakeland College’s trade centre. You’ll learn in modern facilities and in small classes from instructors geared toward your success.