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The nuts and bolts of carpentry

Making a career change can be an exciting yet daunting time, and if you're thinking of starting a career in woodworking you might not know where to begin. Retraining as a carpenter is a great way to get involved in something new, and carpentry jobs are known for being both varied and challenging.

If you're thinking of becoming a carpenter, there are a few things you'll need to do first. Start by taking some time to consider what it is that attracts you to carpentry and if you already have the basic skills you'll need to succeed in the industry. By trade, carpenters have excellent dexterity and are able to endure physical labour. Measurement is a cornerstone of carpentry, so an understanding of math is also a must for this line of work.

There are different kinds of carpentry, and it's important to distinguish what you're most interested in when you get started. Structural carpenters are involved in large construction and building projects, and work for a company or with a large team of others, and will have the satisfaction of walking by homes and other buildings in their community knowing they helped create them.

Detail carpenters are more focused on custom pieces and create, maintain and refinish furniture and other built- in fixtures in a home such as cabinets or shelving units. These carpenters often work for themselves or with one or two others, and are part of networks of contractors and other tradesmen. Detail carpenters are part of a niche market and when successful can be in high demand with a loyal and varied client base.

When you want to retrain as a carpenter the first thing you need to do is take courses and gain any of the necessary qualifications you will need. Many courses are taught by experts in the industry, so you can feel confident that your training will be relevant and thorough. Taking the time to study and practice the trade before you start working will also help you protect yourself against workplace hazards, learn best practices and keep yourself as safe as possible when you are on the job.

After you've received your basic qualifications, look for an apprenticeship where you can shadow another carpenter and receive on the job training. Apprenticeships will help you gain useful experience and give you first hand tips and tricks from others who are already in the industry. At this stage you'll also have an opportunity to network with other tradesmen, which can help you feel involved in the community as well as lead to other working partnerships over time.

Being a carpenter is an ideal career change for anyone who likes working with their hands, enjoys being challenged, and likes to see the fruits of their labour. When you're ready to get started carpentry training courses will get you started and teach you basic skills so you can begin an apprenticeship and take the first step towards your new career.

Clint Starr writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

About the Author

Clint Starr writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Author (cstarr). Submitted on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 Time: 6:44 PM

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