When most people think about carpentry, they typically picture a man in the woods with an axe. But this is not what carpenters do today. A carpenter can be any skilled person who works with wood, including furniture makers and cabinetmakers. Carpenters are employed by construction companies or trade unions to build and repair buildings, structures, or objects made out of wood. They also work on anything that needs assembly from kitchens to boats.
Becoming a carpenter in Kansas is an exciting and rewarding career, and it isn’t hard to break into.
The best way for someone to learn carpentry skills is by enrolling in a union or contractor that offers apprenticeship programs as well as hands-on training with experienced master craftsmen. There are many different types of schools available where students can train in several areas of carpentry including residential construction, commercial construction, cabinet making, trim work installation, flooring installation, cabinetry making, etc.
The other way to get into this trade is by taking a course offered by a vocational or community college. In the end, you earn a degree or certificate. The course is mostly hands-on just like in apprenticeship.
If you're interested in becoming a carpenter but don't know if it’s right for you, then read on. We will outline some of the skills required for carpentry along with potentially negative aspects of this job so that you can make a well-informed decision before deciding whether or not
If you would like to take the training course or become an apprentice, see below the list of schools where you can enroll:
Carpenter Training Schools in Kansas
If earning a certificate or degree is your goal, here are the community college and vocation trade schools where you can take the training course:
- NCK Tech
3033 US HWY 24, Beloit, Kansas 67420
1-800-658-4655, 785-738-2276
2205 Wheatland Ave., Hays, Kansas 67601
1-888-567-4297, 785-625-2437 - Washburn Tech
5724 SW Huntoon, Topeka, Kansas 66604
785.670.2200 OR Toll-Free877.588.7140 - WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
4004 N. Webb Road, Wichita, KS 67226
316.677.9400 - Peaslee Technical Training Center
2920 Haskell Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66046
Phone: 785-865-4426 - Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas 66112
913-334-1100 - Garden City Community College
801 Campus Drive - Garden City, KS 67846
620-276-7611 - Fort Scott Community College
2108 South Horton Street, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
800-874-3722
Here are the unions and organizations that offer an apprenticeship program to qualified candidates:
- Carpenters Training Center of Topeka (UBC)
212 Northwest Norris St., Topeka, KS, 66608
Phone: (785) 233-5499, Fax: (785) 233-5174 - Carpenters' Training Center of Wichita (UBC)
8405 E Kellogg, Suite 145, Wichita, KS, 67207
Phone: (316) 524-4915, Fax: (316) 524-4813 - Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
Kansas City Training Facility
4035 Denton Road, Kansas City MO 64133
816.994.5990 - The St. Louis - Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council
1401 Hampton Ave, St. Louis MO, 63139
314.644.4800, 800.332.7188 - Wichita North High School
1437 Rochester Wichita, KS 67203
316-973-6300 316-973-6190 - Conco Construction
3051 N. Ohio, Wichita, KS 67219
316.943.7111 - Nabholz Construction Corporation
17300 W 116th St., Lenexa, KS 66219
Ph: 501.505.5108
Taking a Training Program at the Community College
Not everyone can afford to go and study at a university. This is especially true for people who want to become carpenters, but don't have the time to do so.
Carpenter training in community college takes up less time than taking an apprenticeship program, which means you'll get your degree faster and cheaper.
If you're looking for an affordable way of becoming a carpenter, then consider going to one of these colleges that offer courses on this subject. Please see the list of training schools above.
Requirements to Apply for the Apprenticeship Program
Becoming a carpenter is not easy. It takes years of training and practice to become a journeyman – the status when you completed the apprenticeship program.
To apply for the apprenticeship program you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be able to pass an aptitude test that will determine if you are physically fit enough to handle the rigors of this demanding trade. In addition, applicants must have no felony convictions on their record and must pass the drug test and background check.
You need to be good at math, have decent hand-eye coordination, and be able to work with others in tight spaces for long hours. If you can't do these things then it's probably not going to work out for you as a carpenter apprentice.
If you meet these requirements then we would like to invite you to apply for the apprenticeship program so that you can get started on your path toward becoming one of Kansas’ best carpenters.
How to Apply for the Apprenticeship Program
Becoming an apprentice is not easy. It takes a lot of time and effort to find the right apprenticeship program that fits your needs.
The best way we've found is by looking up the local union website and calling them directly. They will usually have all of their programs listed on their site along with contact information for each location so you can call them directly or email them. Please browse through the list of carpenter schools in Kansas above for their contact information.
What to Expect in the Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeship is the process of learning a trade by being trained in that trade. Carpenters apprenticeship can take from three to four years depending on the state and type of training.
The most common types of carpentry apprenticeships are residential, commercial, industrial, and cabinet-making. If you are interested in becoming a carpenter, you should consider how much time and money you want to invest into your education before accepting an apprenticeship offer.
Training programs vary so it is important that you do your research to find the program that best suits your needs as well as offers affordable tuition rates for prospective students. For example, if you have a family or other obligations outside of work which make attending school full-time difficult then enrolling in
The carpenter apprenticeship is a great opportunity for those who are looking to make a living while learning the carpentry trade. If you're interested in this type of job, it's important to know what an apprenticeship entails. Inquire with one of the unions in Kansas, see the list below.
Why Joining a Carpenters Union is a Great Advantage
Carpenters are the unsung heroes of our construction sites. They do all the heavy lifting and most of the skilled work that makes a building stand up. There are a lot of misconceptions about what it means to be in this line of work, but there’s one thing we know for sure – carpenters deserve more respect than they get.
The Carpenters Union is here to help you find your place on a team where you can use your talents to build something meaningful and lasting for yourself, your family, and your community. Our members have access to training programs, apprenticeships, scholarships and other resources designed to help them succeed not just at their jobs but also in life beyond their careers as carpenters. Join us today!
Carpenters Union fights for fair wages, safe working conditions, adequate training opportunities and secure retirement benefits for all workers in the construction industry. They are committed to providing a voice for the members on both local and national levels through lobbying efforts.
You will have access to great benefits including health insurance, dental coverage, a pension plan with an employer contribution of up to 12% of your salary into your 401(k), paid holidays and vacations plus more.
Salary of Carpenters in the State of Kansas
How much do carpenters make in Kansas? It is a question that many people want to know but may feel shame or embarrassment for asking.
The average annual salary for a carpenter in this state is $58,779 but the range typically falls between $50,795 and $68,061. That doesn't sound too bad right? They work a mean of 40 hours per week and have four weeks off in their typical year. These figures is according to the latest July 25, 2023 report of Salary.com. If you will work in the state of Oklahoma, the salary is a little lower.
However, these figures vary by region and experience level. For example, beginning carpenters in some areas can expect to earn much less while those with more than 10 years of experience might make a lot more depending on their location and skillset.
To Make a Conclusion
We hope this article has been informative and helpful for you in determining if becoming a carpenter in Kansas is the right career choice. If it’s not, don’t worry! There are many other vocations out there that could be a better fit for your talents and personality type such as an electrician or plumber. Start by researching what these careers entail to see if they interest or appeal to you. Your journey begins now, so start today with the carpenter training course or apprenticeship program application.
