Is being a carpenter the right job to get into? This is one of the common questions we hear from beginners and the simple answer is a definite yes!
The employment of carpenters has been stable in the past years and it will be in the next coming years. The job outlook is positive and you can enjoy better wages compared to other trades and occupations.
You have the opportunity to grow as a foreman or as a supervisor. If you have acquired enough skills and experience in the field, you can even run your own business. The opportunities are endless!
But before you delve into this occupation, you just have to remember that there is such training you have to go through.
You can take the training course from the carpentry school in New Jersey. They’re everywhere. You won’t be having a hard time finding one near you.
To give you the list of the schools, below are the vocational schools and community colleges and universities that offer such a program. See the list below:
- Northeast Carpenters Apprentice Training Fund
75 Fieldcrest Ave., Edison, NJ 08837
Phone 732-372-6020
If you want to get into an apprenticeship, this school offers such a program, please do make an inquiry about the upcoming schedule of application. - United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
Carpenters Local 254
91 Fieldcrest Avenue, 2nd Floor, Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: 732-225-7210; Fax: 732-417-9559
The apprenticeship program they have is 5 years that incorporates scaffolding, aerial lifting, blueprint reading, material handling and other subjects necessary for the trade as part of the course curriculum. - New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools
154 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08608
Phone: 609-392-6222; Fax: 609-392-6222 - Camden County Technical School
343 Berlin - Cross Keys Rd, Sicklerville, NJ 08081
Phone: (856) 767-7000
Offers introductory level course on residential carpentry; gives job placement assistance for course completers - Ocean County Vocational - Technical School
137 Bey Lea Road, Toms River NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 240 6414
It has carpentry and woodworking courses you can enroll in - Morris County Vocational School District
400 East Main Street, Denville, NJ 07834
Phone: 973-627-4600; Fax: 973-627-4958
Offers residential and light commercial building carpentry training; upon completion, the student will have a chance to enter into a local union as an apprentice - Union County Vocational-Technical Schools
1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076-2997
Phone: 908-889-8288 - Thomas C. Ober Carpenters Training Center
3300 White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ
Phone: (609) 567-5675; Fax: (609) 567-5724 - Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters Apprentice Training Center
75 Fieldcrest Ave., Edison, NJ
Phone: (732) 372-6020; Fax: (732) 372-6024 - Monmouth County Vocational School District
417 Middle Road, Hazlet 07730
Phone: 732-264-4995; Fax: 732-264-3846 - Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School District
112 Rues Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Phone: 732-257-3300; Fax: 732-257-9388
The training location is at their Perth Amboy campus - Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools
14 Vogt Drive, P.O. Box 6350, Bridgewater , NJ 08807
Phone: (908) 526-8900
- Burlington County Institute of Technology
Medford: (609) 654-0200Westampton: (609) 267-4226
Offers carpentry training for beginners and advanced carpentry - Deptford Township School District
575 Fox Run Road, Deptford, NJ 08096
Phone: 856.232.2713; Fax: 856-374-9145
Courses available are: introduction to Woodworking, Carpentry I and II - Barringer High School
90 Parker Street, Newark, NJ 07104
Phone: 973-268-5125; Fax: 973-268-5322 - Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Inc.
100 First Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Phone: (732) 442-1081
Provides a pre-apprenticeship training program for free, the schedule of training is at evening hours - Rowan College at Burlington County
Mount Laurel Campus: 900 College Circle, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054
Phone: (856) 222-9311
Mount Holly Campus: 1 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Phone: (856) 222-9311
If you’re looking for a woodworking class, here are the schools:
- The American Woodcarving & Art School
21 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne, NJ 07470
Phone: (973) 835-8555; Fax: (973) 835-8673 - Frank Klausz – Master CabinetMaker
Frank’s Cabinet Shop, Inc., 1992 Burnt Mills Rd., Pluckemin, NJ 07978
Phone: (908) 658 4396 - Wood Technology, Joinery & Finishing
Peters Valley Craft Education Center
19 Kuhn Road, Layton, NJ 07851
Phone: (973) 948-5200
(Furniture making & Woodcarving) - The DIY Joint
51 Harrison St, #a207, Hoboken, NJ 07093
Phone: (201) 273-9137; email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Woodworking classes are available for kids and adult - Peters Valley School of Craft
19 Kuhn Road, Layton, NJ 07851
Phone: 973-948-5200; Fax: 973-948-0011 - The Wood Joint
3300 Shafto Road Unit C Tinton Falls NJ
Phone: 9086011424; email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Philadelphia Furniture Workshop
5212 Pulaski Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 215-849-5174; email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Choosing the Right Carpentry School
Carpentry schools can be vocational or trade schools, community colleges,s or a university. They are a good place to start your career as a carpenter because of the comprehensive program they offer to students. Be aware, however, that not every school is the same, you have to think about what you are getting into before you enroll in their program. Below are some of the criteria you can follow prior to choosing a school:
- Find a school that incorporates OSHA 10 or 30 Safety Training as part of the curriculum.
- Choose a program that includes other subject matters that are necessary for the carpentry trade as part of the training curriculum.
- Find a school that offers job placement assistance and career guidance so that you won’t be having a hard time getting employment upon program completion.
- Enroll in a school with financial aid assistance so that you can apply for grants or scholarships to help pay for the tuition.
- Enroll in a class with a low student-to-teacher ratio so that you receive focus and attention during the training.
- You may also want to ask if the school is accredited and its reputation in the industry. You may do your own research by asking your colleagues or anyone who had been in that school.
- You may also want to ask what are the instructor’s credentials.
- Find a school with a modern training facility and tools used in the training. You can visit the school’s premises by asking their permission and paying a visit. Observe the surroundings, and see what facilities they offer.
- You can enroll at a school that is closest to you so that you won’t be having a hard time traveling to attend the class.
How to Become a Carpenter in Six (6) Steps
- Assess if this job is right for you - before you invest your time and money in taking the carpentry training, it is advisable to think if this occupation is the one you want to pursue. You need to have a clear idea of what to expect when you get into the job. If you think being a carpenter is a good job, you are right. You could expect a better salary compare to other trades, in addition to this, the carpenter is always in demand in many types of businesses especially in the construction industry. You can expect a bright future and a good job outlook in the next coming years. If you acquired enough experience, you can even run your own contracting business.
- Know the requirements beforehand – the very basic requirement you need to have to enroll in a carpentry training program or to apply for an apprenticeship is a high school diploma or a GED certificate, as its equivalent.
- Consider a job as a carpenter’s helper – it is one of the routes you can take if you want to be a carpenter. You can consider finding work as a carpenter helper. Doing so will expose you to actual and on-the-job tasks that will enable you to gain practical skills in the use of hand tools and acquiring techniques. You will enhance your skills and abilities in many different aspects of the trade. This path may also help you gain admission to become an apprentice.
- Enroll in a program offered by a carpentry school in NJ – the second option you can take is by enrolling in a program of the school. It is up to you what program you want to complete - it could be a certificate, a degree or an apprenticeship. The certificate and diploma is a much shorter course and designed to familiarize you with the use of power tools, and machinery, and give you the fundamental skills for measuring, estimating and assembling construction materials.
- Consider being an apprentice –Being an apprentice is an opportunity for you to learn practical skills while making extra cash for a living. The apprenticeship program usually last for about three (3) to four (4) years to complete that will expose you to real-life scenarios of the work of a carpenter. See below for the detailed application of the apprenticeship program.
- Get employment – you might not be having a hard time getting a job as this occupation is always in demand. You can easily find a job in construction. You can even refer by the school where you took the training to an employer. The best opportunity is to have your own business as a maintenance and repair contractor.
Applying for Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship program is being offered by Northeast Carpenters Apprentice Training Fund or by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, you may also find other carpentry apprenticeship training providers in New Jersey.
The application requirement to be an apprentice are:
- You need to have a high school diploma or GED certificate as its equivalent or a transcript of record.
- You need to be at least 18 years old of age
- Copy of your valid driver’s license
- A recommendation letter (a written letter from the present employer, a supervisor or a colleague who vouches for your quality and academic performance)
- Your updated resume with a recent photo
- Proof of completion OSHA 10 for Construction safety training
Other documentation may be needed to boost your chance of getting accepted. You can visit this page to know if there is an upcoming apprenticeship training schedule.
If you have prior knowledge and experience of being a carpenter, we strongly suggest you be an apprentice. In this way, you will be able to learn practical techniques and skills by working with other experienced carpenters and professionals in the field.
Much like having a college degree, it takes several years to complete. What is good about it is you are paid to be an apprentice. In the beginning, you receive a minimum wage but as you advance you get raises. You will also be entitled to health insurance, pension and annuity just like any other regular worker.
The program combines classroom lectures and practical training. The training typically lasts for about 4 to 5 years at UBC. Aside from carpentry, you will learn also the subjects necessary for the job.
Skills and Other Requirements You Need to Have
- You need to have safety skills while on the job – the occupation involves using power tools and machines and there’s a large responsibility associated with the use of these. You must be able to work in a safe and efficient manner.
- You need to be able to work well with others in the workplace – you need to have interpersonal skills to work with fellow carpenters, supervisors and other professionals while on the job. Successful carpenters are able to work with other tradespeople.
- You need to be a good communicator – in order to be a good communicator, you need to have the listening skills to perceive instructions. You need also to follow directions from fellow carpenters, foremen or supervisors on the job.
Salary of Carpenters in Jew Jersey
After putting all the hard work and money into completing the carpentry training, you might now be asking, what would be the rewards…
New Jersey is one of the states that give the high salary for carpenters. The average you can make per year is $67,958, but it ranges from $58,727 and $78,689. This figure is according to the latest report of Salary.com on July 25, 2023. In the neighboring state of Pennsylvania, the salary is significantly lower.
Other factors that come into affecting the salary are the city/town where you work in New Jersey, your years of experience as a carpenter, and relevant skills and certification you can apply for the job.
According to BLS, the growth of this trade will continue. The main driving reason for this is the increased number of homebuilding being constructed and remodeling activities, in addition to this is the boom of the construction industry where most available jobs are.
Carpenters' job prospects are primarily influenced by the demand in the construction industry. Factors affecting this demand include:
- Economic Health: Construction booms during economic growth periods, providing more opportunities for carpenters.
- Housing Demand: As the need for housing rises, so does the demand for carpenters.
- Infrastructure Projects: Government investments in public facilities or infrastructure can create more jobs.
- Natural Disasters: Rebuilding and repair efforts post-disasters can temporarily boost demand.
- Specialization: Carpenters with niche skills or green building knowledge might have an edge in job prospects.
- Geography: Regions with population growth or significant development projects will typically have higher demand.
In general, carpenters with up-to-date training, specialization, and flexibility regarding location are likely to have better job prospects.
To Make a Conclusion
Being a carpenter is a good occupation to enter although it does require a sufficient amount of training but the reward you can receive is great. This trade is not something that would diminish, the demand for qualified carpenters like you will continue in the next coming decades.
If you have a passion to work outdoors or indoors on many types of construction projects, home remodeling contracts, or in highway and bridge building, being a carpenter can be the right choice for you get into.
Start your career now, enroll in a training program offered by a carpenter school in NJ.
Cities and Towns of NJ
Elizabeth, Park, Glen Rock, Haddonfield, Bellmawr, Edgewater, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Long Branch, Garfield Trenton, Clifton, Paramus, Bridgeton, Ridgewood, Bayonne, Vineland, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Hoboken, Plainfield, Hackensack, Sayreville, Kearny, Linden, Glassboro, Morristown, Point Pleasant, Dover, Rutherford, Tinton Falls, Lindenwold, Eatontown, Princeton, Ringwood, Red Bank, Atlantic City, North Arlington, Hopatcong, Cliffside Park, South Plainfield,, Westfield, Millville, Rahway, Englewood, Lodi, Freehold, River Edge, Carteret, North Plainfield, Summit, Roselle, Pleasantville, Palisades Park, Elmwood Park, Hawthorne, New Providence, New Milford, Secaucus, Asbury Park, Phillipsburg, Hammonton, Tenafly, Ramsey, Highland Park, Collingswood, Fairview, Middlesex, Harrison, Wallington, Guttenberg, South River, Madison, Metuchen, Roselle Park, Oakland, Ridgefield Park, Somerville, Beachwood, Ridgefield, Wanaque, Pompton Lakes, Westwood, Totowa, Somers Point, Camden, Passaic, Union City, Bergenfield, Ventnor City, Little Ferry, Hasbrouck Heights, Woodland Park, Ocean City, Florham Gloucester City, Bound Brook, Manville, Kinnelon, Pine Hill, Hillsdale, Woodbury, Keansburg, Newark, Jersey City, Paterson
