I’m an old woodworker with several years of carpentry experience. For the last several years I’ve been working as a school teacher so I’m pretty far removed from the trade. My son, recently discharged from the Army, would like to learn carpentry from a source that is GI bill approved. He watched me for years but didn’t show a lot of interest until now. He is located in the Mid-west. Can any of you point him in the right direction?
Thanks, Dennis
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Replies
I would think hands on with a company would be better than any school.
You never mentioned what kind of carpentry he wants to learn.
Cabinetry, renovation work,framing?
"Yestermarrow" in Vermont is a great school but I think thats a lot of timber framing.
There are fantastic cabinetry schools in northern California.
Whats your poison?
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
If one of my children were in that position I'd suggest they look into this college http://www.buildingartscollege.us/01_college/index.html. In fact, I'd like to attend there, myself.
How about union apprentice? Had GI's in my class.
I'm not going to get into the argument about unions but where would you find a union carp that is actually working with wood?
Seams that most anymore are doing commercial work, steel studs, form building.......
Maybe in an area that I'm not familiar with I suppose.
Doug
Not looking to argue either, I am a metal stud carpenter, but my local #2236 is almost completely cabinetmakers, doing high end woodwork.
The aprenticeship is connected with the top notch Wood Technology Program at Laney College ( in Oakland Ca.). Maybe just what withthegrain is looking for, why not earn while you learn.
Honestly though if one is interested in residential, it makes more sense to find a niche with a quality homebuilder, such as many at this site.
There are still quite a few wood guys, but they are usually doing forms like you said. I have helped convert some guys to steel over the years, they usually switch because we are more year round - less seasonal. Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Mike
Glad some are still getting to work with wood!
Where I come from I would bet that a union carp hasnt hung, not to mention build, a cabinet in years.
Down here in TX, well hell, dont even mention Union!
Doug
I thought Texas was a union. ; ^ ) Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Carpenter Union in Northwest In. has cabinetmakers, homebuilders, commercial/industrial, and millwright. I had a good apprenticeship working on homes and apartments. I was union 10 yrs, learned alot and moved on.
he's in the midwest? Any where near Chicago?
But, why not do 20 and out in the service ?
get the best hands on tech training in the world,part time job with big Corp.retire at 40!
Best he can do in the trades is (Union)35yrs and out,S.S.....when ever!
(Non Union) I don't know....Expire on the job with a smile on your face?
But, why not do 20 and out in the service ?
That's exactly what I keep telling my son. He's in for six anyway. After that what's 14 more, really.
When in the Permian Basin be sure to visit the "Hog Pit Pub and Grub" between Midland and Odessa off Hiway 80 near the Burnout Lounge. Steaks - Burgers - Catfish and always Ice Cold Beer. Soon to be a dining, dancing and drinking institution in West Texas.
After that what's 14 more, really.
Easy for you to say!
North Bennet Street School is the Harvard of the trades. It's also located in Beantown which is fitting.
Here's a link: http://www.nbss.org/
little background ...
I grew up in a remodeling family. Started sweeping jobsites at age 8. Went thru college ... remodeled ... bartended ... remodeled .. back to college ... remodeled ...
ended up in sales. 8 years later ... wanted to see my family .. was tired of the sales hours. Decided to go back to remodeling. I only knew interior. Dad was a kitchen and bath man.
at 30 years old .. went back to school .. trade school .. to learn the right way to frame and build exterior. 15 month program ... in DuBois PA ... middle of nowhere.(they now have a Carp Program in Pittsburgh) Was a pretty good learning experience.
I was in class with a coupla guys older than me ... laid off steel workers ... and the rest 18 and 19 year old kids.
Since I had a heavy background ... I knew what Q's I needed answered .. and I asked alot of Q's. I think I got the most out of the school compared to all my classmates. Ya get out what ya put in. I was on a mission.
The school was so-so ... good teachers ... ahole administration. All in all ... got my money's worth and has served me very well. I learned much more in that 15 months than I ever would have on any jobsite. Plus ... I learned the "right way" ... not the "I been doing it that way for 30 years" ... wrong way!
here's one vote for schooling.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I agree Jeff. I'm all for formal schooling.
I wouldn't send my kid to carpentry school though.
blue
http://www.westtexas.tstc.edu/sharedcode/programs/description.cfm?top_id=2&dept_id=23&short_dept_name=bct
Not exactly located in the Mid-West but not too far either.
When in the Permian Basin be sure to visit the "Hog Pit Pub and Grub" between Midland and Odessa off Hiway 80 near the Burnout Lounge. Steaks - Burgers - Catfish and always Ice Cold Beer. Soon to be a dining, dancing and drinking institution in West Texas.
I guess we have it good in Canada. There is nation-wide government administered training and certification for most trades, including carpentry. Open to all, union or no. You need to be indentured to a recognized company (basically one that already has journeymen on staff). The program is 4 years on the job training with a 6-week block at college each year. Until a few years ago the training was free in BC, but now it costs about $600 a session for tuition and books. Not sure about other provinces.
I can readily identify with Jeff Buck, I went through the program later in life, already in my thirties. Taking that time off work each year was a serious financial hurdle so I was determined to make the very most of every minute at school and soak up everything I possibly could. I enjoyed the program and found the teachers to be knowledgeable and motivated. The guy we had in 4th year constantly challenged us to be the best we could, and I walked out of there with very high marks and my passion for the trade thoroughly aroused.
Looking back further, can't help but compare those trade school experiences to my university days. I got an materials engineering traineeship right out of high school with the local steel mill, and I went to university part time whilst getting full time industrial experience. Everything was paid for, conditions were generous, and yet I can see now I didn't really appreciate it. My marks were enough to get me a degree, but not much more. I certainly don't have the passion for metallurgy or I guess I'd still be doing it. The only commonality with carpentry is the combination of practical experience and technical training. That is the way to go, in my book. Experience on its own is possibly better than formal education only, but the combination of the two is unbeatable.
Good for your son if he wants to pursue a passion. It will be more rewarding - on many levels - than just a job.
Wally
I went to a building trades program at an Iowa community college almost 30 years ago. I don't know if they still have programs like that, but it was worth the time to go.
Going through that school gave me an overview and bit of experience into which I could fit work experience/OJT later. They also made sure we had basic carpentry type math skill, had a business class and a basic design class. We also practiced hanging and taping rock, laying block, basic wiring, simple cabinet building, flatwork, etc. It was all very rudimentary, of course, but way beyond what any company I've ever heard of offers to carpenter wannabees. When I went to the school I only had about a year of construction/concrete laborer experience and when I got out I had an immediate bump up in pay (enough that I could quit my night job delivering pizza!).
Things have changed a bit since the 70's... I doubt they teach kids to install breakers in an existing panel nowadays!
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