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Text File | 1995-10-24 | 10.7 KB | 218 lines

218
Carpenters

(D.O.T.  806.281-058; 860.281-010 through .684-014; 863.684-010;
869.361-018, .381-010, -034, .684-018, -034, -042, and -058; and
962.281-010)

Nature of the Work

Carpenters are involved in many different kinds of construction
activity.  They cut, fit, and assemble wood and other materials in
the construction of buildings, highways and bridges, docks,
industrial plants, boats, and many other structures.  The duties of
carpenters vary by type of employer.  A carpenter employed by a
special trade contractor, for example, may specialize in one or two
activities such as setting forms for concrete construction or
erecting scaffolding, while a carpenter employed by a general
building contractor may perform many tasks, such as framing walls
and partitions, putting in doors and windows, hanging kitchen
cabinets, and installing paneling and tile ceilings.  Although each
carpentry task is somewhat different, most tasks involve the
following steps.

   Working from blueprints or instructions from supervisors, carpenters
first do the layout measuring, marking, and arranging materials.
Local building codes often dictate where certain materials can be
used, and carpenters have to know these requirements.  Carpenters
cut and shape wood, plastic, ceiling tile, fiberglass, and drywall,
with hand and power tools, such as chisels, planes, saws, drills,
and sanders.  Carpenters then join the materials with nails, screws,
staples, or adhesives.  In the final step, they check the accuracy
of their work with levels, rules, plumb bobs, and framing squares
and make any necessary adjustments.  When working with prefabricated
components, such as stairs or wall panels, the carpenter's task is
somewhat simpler because it does not require as much layout work or
the cutting and assembly of as many pieces.  These components are
designed for easy and fast installation and can generally be
installed in a single operation.

   Carpenters employed outside the construction industry do a variety
of installation and maintenance work.  They may replace panes of
glass, ceiling tiles, and doors, as well as repair desks, cabinets,
and other furniture.  Depending on the employer, carpenters may
install partitions, doors, and windows; change locks; and repair
broken furniture.  In manufacturing firms, carpenters may assist in
moving or installing machinery.  (For more information on workers
who install this machinery, see the statements on industrial
machinery repairers and millwrights elsewhere in the Handbook.)

   Carpenters must be very careful when operating power equipment.

Working Conditions

As in other building trades, carpentry work is sometimes strenuous.
Prolonged standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling often are
necessary.  Carpenters risk injury from slips or falls, from working
with sharp or rough materials, and from the use of sharp tools and
power equipment.  Many carpenters work outdoors.

   Some carpenters change employers each time they finish a
construction job.  Others alternate between working for a contractor
and working as contractors themselves on small jobs.

Employment

Carpenters the largest group of building trades workers held about
990,000 jobs in 1992.  Three of every 4 worked for contractors who
build, remodel, or repair buildings and other structures.  Most of
the remainder worked for manufacturing firms, government agencies,
wholesale and retail establishments, and schools.  About 4 of every
10 were self-employed.

   Carpenters are employed throughout the country in almost every
community.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Carpenters learn their trade through on-the-job training and through
formal training programs.  Some pick up skills informally by working
under the supervision of experienced workers.  Many acquire skills
through vocational education.  Others participate in employer
training programs or apprenticeships.

   Most employers recommend an apprenticeship as the best way to learn
carpentry.  Because the number of apprenticeship programs is
limited, however, only a small proportion of carpenters learn their
trade through these programs.  Apprenticeship programs are
administered by local chapters of the Associated Builders and
Contractors and by local chapters of the Associated General
Contractors, Inc., as well as by local joint union-management
committees of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of
America and the Associated General Contractors, Inc.  or the
National Association of Home Builders.  These programs combine
on-the-job training with related classroom instruction.
Apprenticeship applicants generally must be at least 17 years old
and meet local requirements.  For example, some union locals test an
applicant's aptitude for carpentry.  The length of the program,
usually about 3 to 4 years, varies with the apprentice's skill.

   On the job, apprentices learn elementary structural design and
become familiar with common carpentry jobs such as layout, form
building, rough framing, and outside and inside finishing.  They
also learn to use the tools, machines, equipment, and materials of
the trade.  Apprentices receive classroom instruction in safety,
first aid, blueprint reading and freehand sketching, basic
mathematics, and different carpentry techniques.  Both in the
classroom and on the job, they learn the relationship between
carpentry and the other building trades.

   Informal on-the-job training usually is less thorough than an
apprenticeship.  The degree of training and supervision often
depends on the size of the employing firm.  A small contractor who
specializes in homebuilding may only provide training in rough
framing.  In contrast, a large general contractor may provide
training in several carpentry skills.

   A high school education is desirable, including courses in
carpentry, shop, mechanical drawing, and general mathematics.
Manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, good physical condition,
and a good sense of balance are important.  The ability to solve
arithmetic problems quickly and accurately also is helpful.
Employers and apprenticeship committees generally view favorably
training and work experience obtained in the Armed Services.

   Carpenters may advance to carpentry supervisors or general
construction supervisors.  Carpenters usually have greater
opportunities than most other construction workers to become general
construction supervisors because they are exposed to the entire
construction process.  Some carpenters become independent
contractors.

Job Outlook

Job opportunities for carpenters are expected to be plentiful
through the year 2005, due primarily to extensive replacement needs.
Well over 100,000 jobs will become available each year as carpenters
transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.  The total
number of job openings for carpenters each year usually is greater
than for other craft occupations because the occupation is large and
turnover is high.  Since there are no strict training requirements
for entry, many people with limited skills take jobs as carpenters
but eventually leave the occupation because they find they dislike
the work or cannot find steady employment.

   Increased demand for carpenters will create additional job openings.
Employment is expected to increase about as fast as the average for
all occupations through the year 2005.  Construction activity should
increase in response to demand for new housing and commercial and
industrial plants and the need to renovate and modernize existing
structures.  The demand for carpenters will be offset somewhat by
expected productivity gains resulting from the increasing use of
prefabricated components that can be installed much more quickly
than by traditional construction methods.  In addition, light,
cordless pneumatic and combustion tools such as nailers and drills
as well as sanders with electronic speed controls reduce fatigue and
make workers more efficient.

   Although employment of carpenters is expected to grow over the long
run, people entering the occupation should expect to experience
periods of unemployment.  This results from the short-term nature of
many construction projects and the cyclical nature of the
construction industry.  Building activity depends on many factors
interest rates, availability of mortgage funds, government spending,
and business investment that vary with the state of the economy.
During economic downturns, the number of job openings for carpenters
is reduced.  The introduction of new and improved tools, equipment,
techniques, and materials has vastly increased carpenters'
versatility.  Therefore, carpenters with all-round skills will have
better opportunities than those who can only do relatively simple,
routine tasks.

   Job opportunities for carpenters also vary by geographic area.
Construction activity parallels the movement of people and
businesses and reflects differences in local economic conditions.
Therefore, the number of job opportunities and apprenticeship
opportunities in a given year may vary widely from area to area.

Earnings

Median weekly earnings of carpenters who were not self-employed were
$425 in 1992.  The middle 50 percent earned between $320 and $585
per week.  Weekly earnings for the top 10 percent of all carpenters
were more than $770; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $255.

   Earnings may be reduced on occasion because carpenters lose work
time in bad weather and when jobs are unavailable.  A large
proportion of carpenters are members of the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners of America.

Related Occupations

Carpenters are skilled construction workers.  Workers in other
skilled construction occupations include bricklayers, concrete
masons, electricians, pipefitters, plasterers, plumbers,
stonemasons, and terrazzo workers.

Sources of Additional Information

   For information about carpentry apprenticeships or other work
opportunities in this trade, contact local carpentry contractors, a
local of the union mentioned above, a local joint union-contractor
apprenticeship committee, or the nearest office of the State
employment service or State apprenticeship agency.

   For general information about this trade, contact:

   Associated Builders and Contractors, 729 15th St.  NW., Washington,
DC 20005.

   Associated General Contractors of America, Inc., 1957 E St.  NW.,
Washington, DC 20006.

   Home Builders Institute, Educational Arm of the National Association
of Home Builders, 1090 Vermont Ave.  NW., Washington, DC 20005.

   United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, 101
Constitution Ave.  NW., Washington, DC 20001.