Carpentry
Construction
Unlike online carpentry schools or courses, our hands-on training builds your skills in today’s most relevant carpentry techniques and practices. Our carpentry training teaches you the necessary skills to take on the exciting challenges of a career in the construction industry. This hands-on training is designed to teach students about basic tools, building and designing schematics, blueprint reading and other industry practices. The relationships formed with fellow students, instructors and guest speakers provide an invaluable network of passionate, diverse construction allies to call upon throughout your career.
Course Length
20 Weeks
Course Cost
No out-of-pocket training cost
Course Format
In-person
Average Starting Wage
$22.73/hr
If you’re really trying to change your life, I’d say Summit would be the place to start.
I didn’t know how to read a tape measurer or use a speed square. But, the teachers helped me through it and taught me what I needed to know and more to be ready for life after Summit.Nikko Shaw
Carpenter, TL Home Concepts, LLC
I feel like Summit was the only opportunity to better myself.
I used to drive Uber, Lyft, do janitorial cleaning, do lawn care, and just do anything that would get money in my pocket to take care of my family. It was tough going through classes, but seeing my skills now, I don’t think anything can hold me back.Richard Daye
Carpenter, Carpenters Contractors Company
I’m a woman. If a man can be a carpenter, I can too.
I’ve got a good career coming and a certificate from Summit. I want to become a business owner, focus on affordable housing, and help my community learn carpentry too.Talia Vasquez
Carpenter, Stevens Construction
Summit confirmed for me that carpentry is what I want to be doing.
This school is an incredible place for folks who haven’t been able to put together a direction for themselves in life. The way that I’ve seen my life and my classmates’ lives change since coming here is amazing.Ben Grave
Framer, Works Construction & Maintenance Services
“It Was A Struggle For Me” – Damian Turner’s Story
After being passed up for a promotion twice because Damian Turner didn’t have his high school diploma, he decided he needed to go back to school. Listen to Damian’s life journey and why Summit’s GED and Carpentry training was the right fit for him.
What does a Carpenter do?
Carpenters are skilled men and women who work in the construction industry primarily fabricating wood or metal buildings. Their jobs include working on the interior and exterior portions of a site, from the entire framework of a building to ornate woodwork on stairs and trim.
Carpenters have the option to work for a construction company or as independent contractors. These men and women often work on a wide variety of projects including building prefabricated cabinets in a workshop to cutting, joining and assembling structural components on the job site.
Carpenter Essential Duties:
- Measure, cut, or shape wood, metal, and other materials
- Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients
- Help erect, level, and install building framework with the aid of rigging hardware and cranes
- Install products, such as windows, doors and moldings
- Inspect and replace damaged framework or other structures and fixtures
- Provide cost estimates for their scope of work
- Instruct and direct laborers and other construction helpers
- Construct and assemble building frameworks, including walls, floors, and door frames
You Will Learn
- Teamwork / Collaboration
- Blueprint Reading
- Introduction to Construction Safety
- Hand and Power Tools
- Construction Mathematics
- Building Materials
- Wall / Floor / Stud Framing
- Concrete Framework
- Finish Carpentry
- Commercial Construction
- Project Management
- Construction Estimating
- Drywall Installation
Weeks 1-10
During the first 10 weeks of the training, students begin by learning the basics of carpentry. This starts with construction safety training, and then moves to math principles, blueprint reading and basic hand and power tools like tape measure, hammer, circular and reciprocating saws. The instructors discuss everyday carpentry examples to help students understand how all the components impact the building process. While students get a high-level view of the processes and complexities of carpentry, they’ll also get a chance to learn about some of the building blocks of the construction industry.
The first 10 weeks ensures that students will have a solid foundation in construction math and basic blueprint reading. Students will be able to identify the most important hand and power tools and learn how to use them safely.
Classes meet in-person, Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m.–2:50 p.m.
Goals:
- Understand the foundational principles of construction
- Gain entry-level skills with hand and power tools
- Gain confidence with personal development classes
Topics covered:
- Construction Safety
- Building Materials
- Blueprint Reading
- Construction Mathematics
- Hand and Power Tools
Weeks 11-20
During Phase II, instructors build on the foundations you learned in Phase I. This part of the training is designed to challenge students with a higher degree of difficulty in carpentry execution. Students work in pairs and small teams on residential and commercial framing systems. Students gain practical experience with the entire framing process, from problem-solving to evaluating, refinement and execution.
By the end of week 20, students will have gained a deeper understanding of carpentry and begin to see the challenges they are likely to encounter when working on a job site.
Classes meet in-person, Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m.–2:50 p.m.
Goals:
- Learn framing practices and systems
- Understand and apply Construction safety
- Participate in Hands-on installation
- Develop practical skills with hand and power tools
Topics covered:
- Floor Framing
- Wall Framing
- Drywall
- Roof Systems
- Finish Carpentry
- Metal Studs
