Carpentry Techniques

Program Overview

St. Lawrence College's 36-week Carpentry Program provides hands-on training in blueprint reading, framing, finishing, and other carpentry skills. Led by experienced instructors, the program emphasizes practical learning in a dedicated lab setting and prepares graduates for careers in home building, general carpentry, and more. With a shortage of skilled workers in the field, job prospects are favorable for graduates.

Program Outline

Outline:

Program Length

36 Weeks

Delivery

Full-time

Program Content

The program focuses on developing knowledge and practical skills in various carpentry areas, including:

• Blueprint reading
• Residential and Commercial Construction
• Framing
• Finishing
• Stair Manufacture
• Surveying
• Fine woodworking
• Commercial Building practices

Semester 1:

• Safety in construction (CARP 105): This course covers personal protection equipment, ladders, scaffolds, fire protection, and safety in rigging.
• Principles and Practices 1 (CARP 106): This course covers hand and power tools, wood shaping and joining, principles of residential framing, measurement systems, and introduces building codes.
• Skill Techniques 1 (CARP 107): Students apply theory from CARP 106, 159 and 160 in a hands-on setting, building projects and developing skills for the workplace.
• Employment Skills 1 (CARP 116): This course focuses on work ethics, employability skills, individual and group work scenarios.
• Plans, Specifications and Codes 1(CARP 159): This course covers blueprint reading, drawing orthographic and isometric views, and designing residential building plans.
• Energy Management(CARP 109): This course covers building science, air and moisture management, recent changes in building code, alternate building styles.
• Skill Techniques 2 (CARP 110): This course applies skills from CARP 108 and CARP 109 to advanced roof framing, exterior and interior finishing, and cabinet installation.
• Residential Building Studies -Finishing Practices(CARP 112): This course covers various exterior and interior finishes and installation methods for residential buildings.
• Plans and specifications and Codes 2(CARP 180): This course further develops blueprint reading skills with a focus on residential plans, specifications, and codes.

Semester 3:

• Applied Construction Math (CARP 113): This course covers layout and calculations related to insulated concrete forms, straight run stairs, and basic trigonometry.
• Skill techniques 3 (CARP 114):: This course applies skills learned about lightweight steel framing, suspended ceilings, and concrete formworks.
Students build light concrete forms, use builders level for elevations and building layout, and construct straight stairs and wall cabinets.
• Commercial Building practices (CARP115): This course covers suspended ceilings, lightweight steel framing, site investigation, excavation, shoring, foundations, concrete formwork, concrete as building material.
• Employment Skills 2 (CARP 118): This course prepares students to meet prospective employers, understand apprenticeship process, and connect newly acquired knowledge with future employment.
• Plans, specifications and codes 3 (CARP182): This course further develops blueprint reading skills, focusing on industrial, commercial and institutional design.

Teaching:

• Hands-on learning: The program emphasizes practical skill development in a dedicated lab setting.
• One-on-one and group instruction: In addition to scheduled lab time, theoretical material is presented in individual and small group settings.
• Experienced faculty: The program is led by experienced instructors with expertise in the carpentry field.

Careers:

• Job prospects: The carpentry field faces a shortage of skilled workers, making job prospects favorable.
• Career paths: Graduates can specialize in various areas, including home building and renovation, general carpentry, siding installation, inspection, green building, and more.
• Employment opportunities: Graduates can find work with general contractors, subcontractors, homebuilders, woodworking shops, restoration companies, or start their own businesses.
• Related Programs: Carpenter Apprenticeship (Kingston and Cornwall campuses), General construction carpentry techniques (Cornwall).