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Carpenters construct, erect, install, finish and repair wooden and metal
structures and fixtures on residential and commercial buildings. Some
carpenters may also carry out work on large concrete,
steel and timber
structures such as bridges, dams, power stations and civil engineering
projects.
They may also finish and repair wooden structures
such as foundations, walls, roofs, windows and doors. They plan and
construct floors and frameworks, roofs and ceilings,
which may be made from either timber or metal, and may also lay timber
floors.
Carpenters also cut and shape the materials they
work with, and assemble or nail them into place. They may also install door
handles, locks, flooring underlay, insulating material and other fixtures.
ANZSCO ID: 331212
Constructs, erects, installs, renovates
and repairs structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, wallboard and other
materials. Registration or licensing may be required.
Alternative names: Carpenter and Joiner,
Joiner, Woodworker,
Specialisations:
Knowledge, skills and attributes
Carpenters need:
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to be good with their hands
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problem-solving skills
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physical fitness and the ability to undertake
manual labour for extended periods
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good communication and teamwork skills
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planning and organisational skills
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accuracy and efficiency
Duties and Tasks
Carpenters may perform the following tasks:
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construct formwork into which concrete is poured
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set out an outline of the building on the ground of
the site, using string and pegs to allow for excavations
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build floors, wall frameworks (timber or metal) and
roofs, and lay timber floors
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read plans and specifications to determine the
dimensions, materials required and installation processes
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install metal and timber windows, sashes and doors
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construct and erect prefabricated units, such as
cottages and houses
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cut materials with hand and power tools and assemble,
or nail, cut and shape parts
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install door handles, locks, hardware, flooring
underlay, insulating material and other fixtures
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maintain and sharpen tools.
Working conditions
Carpenters work on building and construction sites and as such may work in
dirty, dustry, muddy or noisy conditions. Carpenters may also have to work
in cramped spaces, or at heights. Building sites may be hazardous spaces,
and with the use of power tools, carpenters will usually be required to wear
safety gear.
Tools and technologies
As carpenters work mostly with different types of timber, they need to be
familiar with a range of power and hand tools, precise measuring equipment
such as spirit levels and instruments for measuring angles, as well as
platforms and ladders for working at heights. Depending on the scale of the
job they are working on they may also need to use safety harnesses. They
need to use safety equipment such as hard hats, gloves, steel-capped boots,
safety glasses and ear protection.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a carpenter, you usually need to complete an apprenticeship in
carpenter, carpentry and joinery or carpentry (housing). The apprenticeships
usually take between 24 to 48 months to complete and are available as
school-based apprenticeships.
You may improve your chances of gaining an apprenticeship by completing the
Certificate II in Construction Pathways [pre-apprenticeship (carpentry)]
offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations
throughout Australia.
With further training and experience, a carpenter
could become a building supervisor, building or construction manager,
building inspector, technical teacher, estimator, building contract
administrator or purchasing officer..
Did You Know?
Sawfish
Sawfish, also known as the Carpenter Shark is
characterized by a long, toothy nose extension snout, which is covered
with motion- and electro-sensitive pores that allow sawfish to detect
movement and even heartbeats of prey hiding under the ocean floor.
Several species can grow to approximately 7 meters.
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