About Carpentry & Joinery

Working as a Carpenter you will construct, erect, install, finish and repair structures and fixtures using timber and non-timber products. Carpenters can work in residential and/or commercial settings, on constructions sites and in factories and workshops. You will be able to operate carpentry tools, machines and other equipment, read and interpret plans, and comply with relevant building and safety codes. 

If you work as a Commercial Carpenter, you can be a key player in the construction of high end complex commercial or industrial builds, and/or fit outs. You will also work with non-wood materials which include steel and concrete

The training

To become a trade certified Carpenter, you generally complete an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery which results in a Certificate III in Carpentry & Joinery. The apprenticeship usually takes 48 months to complete.

The apprenticeship program features on the job training under the supervision of a qualified Carpenter and off the job training at a registered training provider such as a WA TAFE college.

Skills you will learn

During the training program to become a Carpenter, you will learn practical skills and underpinning knowledge. A training program will be created for you that will include such competencies as how to:

• Use carpentry tools and equipment

• Handle carpentry materials

• Carry out general demolition of minor building structures

• Carry out setting out

• Install flooring systems

• Construct and erect wall frames

• Construct ceiling frames

• Erect roof trusses

• Construct pitched roofs

• Construct eaves

• Install windows and doors

• Construct, assemble and install timber external stairs

• Install exterior cladding

• Install lining, panelling and moulding

• Read and interpret plans, specifications and drawings for carpentry work

• Erect and dismantle formwork for footings and slabs on ground

• Apply basic levelling procedures

• Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding

• Work safely at heights

• Carry out concreting to simple forms

• Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry

• Conduct workplace communication

• Carry out measurements and calculations

• Perform construction calculations to determine carpentry material requirements

• Carry out levelling operations

• Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

• Identify construction work hazards and select risk control strategies

• Construct advanced roofs

• Frame and fit wet area fixtures

• Construct and install bulkheads

• Install curtain walling

• Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres

• Assemble partitions

• Calculate costs of construction work

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Career Pathway examples for Carpentry & Joinery

Please note that programs can vary to some degree and this list is an example only.