Carpentry can be a lucrative career if you have the right skills and education and training for carpentry can help you get them. However, if you're new to the industry, you may not know the difference between different types of training programs and what you really need in order to be able to work. You'll learn many carpentry skills on the job, but a trade school or apprenticeship will advance your learning more quickly. Learn these key terms to get started.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Carpentry trade school

A carpentry trade school, sometimes called a vocational school, can help you learn the techniques that are so important in carpentry. If they know that carpentry is the right career for them, students may be able to enter a trade school in high school. Students can also attend trade schools whether they are just out of high school or have several years of experience in another field and are looking to change careers.

I recommend: Learn more about trade schools from EmploymentGuide.com.

Carpenter apprentice training

Carpenter apprentice training is a way to get hands-on training in carpentry. You'll work alongside an experience carpenter, learning carpentry in the field rather than the classroom. Before starting an apprenticeship, make sure to check if you will receive pay, as some apprenticeships are unpaid.

I recommend: Learn more about carpentry apprenticeships at Penn Foster Workforce Development.

Heavy equipment operator schools

Many construction projects require the use of heavy equipment and machinery, such as cranes and dumptrucks. If this interests you, look heavy equipment operator schools to teach you how to use them.

I recommend: ATS discusses the types of things you'll learn in a heavy equipment operator school.

Contractor's license

If you want to have your own business in carpentry, you'll need a contractor's license. You will be required to take a written exam. There are courses that can help you prepare to pass the exam.

I recommend: Contractors-License.org discusses how to get a contractor's license.

Carpentry specialization

Choosing a carpentry specialization will help you to advance your career. Rather than being knowledgeable about carpentry in general, you can choose to specialize in something such as cabinets or doorways, which can help you to get work.

I recommend: Scroll down to see the types of carpentry specialization courses that are offered by Central Georgia Technical College.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry is a professional organization that offers training and learning opportunities for its members. If you are interested in the remodeling aspect of carpentry, it's a good idea to join.

I recommend: Learn more about the National Association of the Remodeling Industry on their website.

The good news about carpentry education and training is that you don't have to commit to a four year program to come away with quality carpenters' training. You can look at adult education carpentry classes, short term carpentry courses or even a carpentry trade school to improve your carpentry skills and career marketability.

Carpentry education can be important not only as a career trade, but handy around the home or office as well. With training in carpentry you can work for a contractor or start your own business as the contractor. You can choose your hours and projects. You can also save money by doing your own repair work.

To find the right carpentry education program for you:

1. Look at your budget. Factor in tuition costs, book costs, time and travel expenses and housing if you have to relocate to your training destination.

2. Look at time as a factor. Can you pursue carpentry school full time, or do you have to squeeze in classes between work and life?

3. Factor in your career goals before picking a program. Choose one specific to those needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use a carpentry school specific search engine

While Yahoo and Google are great search engines, it helps to start out with directory and search tools that are already focused on carpentry school education.

I recommend: Find a carpentry program through the Degree.net search tool. Look at the carpentry school directory from Beelineweb.com.

Consider pursuing your carpentry education online

Carpentry education doesn't have to start out in classroom. Instead you can begin your training in the comfort of your own home as many carpentry trade schools have online programs to get you started out.

I recommend: Find a listing of online carpentry education programs from Online Education. Use World Wide Learn as an additional site to find online carpenter's training information. Request more information on carpentry classes from All Online Schools.

Find the right carpentry school for you

Whether you are on campus or not, finding the right carpentry education program for you can make or break your carpentry career.

I recommend: Look at the Rindge School of Technical Arts carpentry classes. Check out the carpentry training from Ashworth University. Review the Carpenter program overview from Penn Foster Career School. At Penn Foster, you can learn about construction drawings, building codes layout, lumber, framing, building materials, as well as finishing floors and ceilings.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When sourcing out your carpentry education classes and training, purchase used books for a greater cost savings. Also, instead of selling those back at the end of the term, consider them an investment and keep them for reference.

When it comes to obtaining carpentry education and training, there are many paths one can take along the way. Some carpenters simply learn by doing, while others take part in an apprenticeship, while others still receive degree from an accredited institution. Take the time to learn about these several paths and which path might be right for you in obtaining your carpentry education.

Things to look for in carpentry education are the total time it'll take you to complete the course, the amount of money it will cost to take those courses and how much you might stand to make once you have completed all of your education. Here are some basic resources to check out from informational guides, to videos, and carpentry education that will point you in the right direction of carpentry education and training for beginners.

1. Learn about the process of carpentry education and training in order to become a full time carpenter as a career.

2. Find online video tutorials that offer carpentry classes in small segments.

3. Find carpentry organizations which information, resources and classes for carpentry education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Educate yourself on the carpenters training required to pursue a career in the carpentry field

There are several quality websites dedicated to providing specific information about career paths and how to obtain the proper education in order to work in that field. The field of carpentry is no different. Learn about how one takes carpentry lessons, obtain the proper certification and become a carpenter to make a living. Things that will be covered are the pay one expects to receive, the job market horizon and a discussion of potential career advancement over the course of a career in carpentry.

I recommend: Visit the website for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They offer a comprehensive guide for beginners on carpentry education. Education Portal also offers a guide to the various aspects of carpentry education.

Locate carpentry 'how-to' videos that aid in your carpentry education

Another great resource for carpentry training is utilizing reputable videos on the Internet. There are literally thousands of videos on small carpentry projects posted on the Internet that one may use as a tool to learn. Simply select the carpentry training video that speaks to what you want to learn about. This is a great way to get a base knowledge of what the project entails before attempting it.

I recommend: Visit the website for The Wood Whisperer. Not only are they an online magazine, but the right side of their home page offers access to over 200 educational videos on various carpentry projects. Carpentry Videos.net is also another great resource for the beginning carpenter.

Find carpentry organizations which offer carpentry school and apprenticeships

Many carpenters belong to unions throughout the Unites States. Many of those unions offer training, apprenticeships and educational programs. Depending upon the nature of the union, upon completion you may be granted admission into that union so that you may further your career in carpentry. Seeking out organizations of professionals is always a help in finding training and education resources.

I recommend: Visit the website for the United Brothers of Carpentry. A nationwide organization, they have information on carpentry school, carpentry apprenticeships, woodworking schools woodworking classes and more. The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters also offers information on apprenticeships and training programs in and around the state of Michigan.