New Hampshire is a great state for those who are interested in becoming a carpenter. Many people want to get into carpentry and are not sure how to go about it – attend a training school.
There are many schools that offer carpentry programs and you won’t have a hard time finding one.
Taking the training is the very first step in getting into the trade and this happens in the school. The school will provide theoretical training and practical training as well. It takes some weeks or even months to complete a training program.
Now if you’re looking for a carpenter school in New Hampshire, then we made this guide for you. The directory of schools is listed below for your reference.
In this article, we also cover some information about carpenters, including how much they make, where they work, and what their education requirements are.
Carpenter Training Schools Where You Can Enroll
To learn the skills, you need to attend a school or join a union, here are the schools and unions you keep in touch with:
- Department of Education program Rekindling Curiosity
102 South Main St., Wolfeboro, NH 03894
(603) 569-3457, Fax: (603) 569-8111 - The Craft
63 Emerald Street PMB #134, Keene NH 03431
(603) 313 – 7191 - Elementary
Wolfeboro NH, 03894 | Governor Wentworth Reg District
Phone: 603-569-3457
If you’re looking for an institution that offers an apprenticeship program, here they are:
- North Atlantic States s Center Manchester
900 Candia Rd, Manchester, NH, 03109, US
Phone: (508) 792-5443, Fax: (508) 752-5762 - North Atlantic States s Fund
920 Candia Road, Manchester, NH 03104
Accepts apprentice applicants from NH and neighboring states - Apprenticeship NH, CCSNH
26 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.230.3527
Carpenters are in high demand and in short supply. The carpentry trade is a rewarding career, but many people don't know how to get started or even what skills they need to become a carpenter.
Many people try to break into the carpentry industry without having the necessary skills required by employers. They end up wasting time and money on that doesn't lead anywhere.
That’s why attending and completing the program is important to gain the skills.
How to Choose The Right Carpenter Training School
Choosing the right is not always easy. There are hundreds of things to consider when making a decision, and you will have to make a choice based on your goals and requirements.
The first thing you should do before choosing a course is clearly define your objectives so that you know what type of to choose in order to reach them. Here are some points to consider:
- Find a small class size – this is to ensure that you get the focus and attention.
- Find a school with a modern facility and that their instructor is knowledgeable of the subject matter.
- Do they have financial assistance that they can offer to students? It is ideal to choose with such assistance especially if tuition is a big matter to consider.
- Find a curriculum with extensive hands-on so that you gain enough practical skills.
- Check how their training is conducted. You can personally visit their facility and observe if it is up to your liking.
How Much Does the School Cost?
If you’re interested in becoming a carpenter, then you must be wondering how much it costs to become one. The cost to take the will be somewhere in the ballpark figure of $6,000 - $11,000.
The cost of the really depends on your location and what you choose to take your course. The cost also depends on the comprehensive of the program, if you’re a total beginner then expect the program will be lengthy and the more expensive it is.
However, if you want to be an apprentice, in most cases, there’s no cost involved. The apprenticeship program is offered by a union or by a sponsoring contractor.
Being an apprentice is what most beginners take in order to gain entry into the trade.
How to Find a Free Carpenter Training
Here's a more concise list for finding free or affordable carpenter training:
- Trade Unions: Offer paid apprenticeships.
- Local Non-profits: Some, like Habitat for Humanity, offer training in exchange for volunteering.
- Community Colleges: Might have affordable courses with potential financial aid.
- Online Resources: Websites like YouTube have free carpentry tutorials.
- Hardware Stores: Occasionally host free workshops.
- Vocational High Schools: Sometimes offer community classes.
- Networking: Local carpenters may offer apprenticeships or hands-on experience.
- Employment Programs: Local agencies may have job training initiatives.
- Libraries: Can provide resources or access to online learning platforms.
- Military: In some regions, offers vocational training with a service commitment.
Always ensure the training prioritizes safety and best practices.
Why Should You Train to Be a Carpenter
If you're looking for a career that doesn't require a college degree but pays well, carpentry may be the right choice. s are in demand year-round what that means is you would not be running out of job opportunities.
Carpenters are in demand and earn good salaries. They also work with their hands, which is something many people enjoy doing.
To become a carpenter you'll need to complete your education from one of the many s offering programs across the state. Most programs will last weeks or even months.
If the path you want to pursue is joining a union as an apprentice, it will take several years before the apprentice can begin working as a journeyman or become a contractor.
Being an apprentice is the ideal way to make a living while learning the trade.
If you want to pursue this path, contact a union in your location, see the above list.
How to Join a Carpenter Union in New Hampshire
- Start by contacting the nearest s union in your location. Know what the requirements are and the process you have to go through in order to submit the application. See the above list for the union you can apply to.
- There are many good unions out there to choose from. If you're not sure which one is right for you, go ahead and take the time to talk with people who have union experience about what their experiences were like in that particular organization. They might be able to share valuable information with you regarding the benefits or other perks of being a part of the union.
- If you finished submitting your application and you received a notification for the interview, prepare for the occasion. Getting interviewed means you’re one step away from getting accepted into the union. Dress professionally and be prepared.
- If all goes well, you will receive a notification from the union that you’re accepted. It takes 2-3 weeks of waiting for the result to come out. You will be asked to report to the union as soon as possible. This means you’re now ready to be deployed for the job.
Salary of Carpenters in NH
Most workers seek employment based on salary so being paid well is extremely important when looking ahead towards your future goals.
If you’re wondering how much carpenters make in the state, according to the latest July 25, 2023 report of Salary.com, the average salary is $62,544 but depending on the location and skillset you have it ranges from $54,049 and $72,421. In the neighboring state of Vermont, the salary is lower.
The job outlook for s will be good in the next coming decades as construction continues to flourish – the industry where you will most likely establish a career.
Carpenters' demand is tied to construction needs, especially housing. While economic downturns may reduce opportunities, economic growth, infrastructure projects, and natural disaster recoveries can boost demand. Specialized skills, such as green building techniques, offer an advantage in the job market. Technology hasn't replaced the need for human carpentry skills, but familiarity with modern tools can be beneficial. Geographical location and population growth can influence job prospects. In general, those with up-to-date training and flexibility in location will have better opportunities.
Is Being a Carpenter the Right Job to Get Into
When you're looking into getting into a career, it can be hard to know if this job is right for you. You want to make sure that when you get started in your field, it's going to be satisfying and rewarding.
A lot of people who are considering making a career change have the same questions about carpentry as they do about any other type of work - What will my co-workers be like? Will I get enough? Is this good pay? How much advancement potential does this have? These are all important questions that need answers before deciding on a career path.
There's no one way to answer these questions, but we've compiled some information here that might help shed some light on whether or not being a is right for you. In addition to our own experiences with the trade, we've also interviewed several experienced s who were willing to share their wisdom with us so we could pass along their knowledge.
Here are what we found:
- To enter this trade, just like we mentioned above, you only need a high diploma or a GED certificate. You don’t have to complete a bachelor’s degree although it will certainly help if you completed a related course.
- You need to be in good physical shape and in excellent health condition. s are a breed of people that can do it all. They work with their hands in physical labor, but also need to have the endurance and mental toughness needed for outdoor jobs where they might be subjected to adverse conditions like rain or extreme heat.
- The pay is great. s like yourself, you can make much more than those in the construction trades because contractors are always looking for talented people with your skillset and don't mind paying extra as long as the quality of work they get matches what they're expecting from their workers.
- The carpentry industry is growing at a higher rate than most industries. This means that if you become trained in the trade, there will be more jobs available. The construction industry has been booming recently with lots of buildings popping up everywhere so chances are pretty good that any ly minted s won't have trouble finding work
To Conclude This
If you are interested in becoming a carpenter, there are training schools in New Hampshire with programs tailored towards your needs. You can take classes full-time, part-time, online or through apprenticeships - all of which offer their own benefits and drawbacks depending on what you're looking for.
We wish you good luck in your career!