Carpentry is an artisan profession whose origins are lost over the centuries but, wonder of wonders, it never goes out of fashion.

Those who work as a carpenter are able to infuse shape and dynamism into the wood to build structures and accessories with the most varied uses.

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In the common imagination, working as a carpenter means building furniture in an artisan workshop with a hammer and nails in hand, but the reality is much more multifaceted: working wood is a modern skill that uses technologies and advanced machinery as well as powerful doses of creativity.

It is true that many people have approached carpentry in its most artisanal capacity, perhaps as apprentices in a workshop. Today, however, becoming a carpenter means knowing how to handle mechanical equipment with skill and move flexibly between technical drawing, art and precision.

The profession of carpenter is no longer just a synonym of an artisan workshop; the professional variations range from factories, construction sites, furniture construction or repair companies, up to specialised artistic carpentry .

In this article we explain how to become a carpenter in 2022, what the tasks of the carpenter job are, what training to follow and what to expect from this profession.

Becoming a carpenter: a look at the tasks

The tasks of a carpenter vary according to his specialization.
The macro-categories in which the carpenter operates are three:

  • carpentry for civil construction;
  • carpentry for the creation of furniture and household accessories;
  • specialized carpentry, such as cabinet making, restoration or the construction of musical instruments.

To understand exactly how carpenters work we would have to delve into each category, and this article would turn into a carpentry treatise!

We will therefore limit ourselves to talking about the probably most widespread and widespread category of carpentry: the carpentry for civil construction .

What does a carpenter do?

We tend to think that wood is a purely decorative material. Instead, our homes and offices are populated by many wooden products made by professional carpenters: furniture , of course, but also floors, parquet , fixtures, stairs, doors, load-bearing structures for roofs and walls . If you could see, as with X-rays, the typical structure of a house, it would surprise you to discover how many of its elements contain wood.

Those who work as a carpenter therefore take care of building, erecting, installing and repairing wooden structures and furnishings, including materials such as chipboard, composit, veneer and plywood .

An experienced carpenter works with different types of lumber and knows how to expertly select the pieces that will serve as supports, counterweights or ornamental elements.

Also, when he works on the construction site, he collaborates closely with architects and engineers.

Generally speaking, among the functions of a carpenter we find:

  • framing and partitioning of walls;
  • assembly of doors and windows;
  • construction and renovation of stairs;
  • installation of furniture and moldings ;
  • installation and remodeling of floors, skirting boards or extensions of existing rooms (bump out).

On construction sites, the presence of carpenters in the early stages of building construction is essential: they are responsible for designing the layout, marking and arranging the materials according to local building regulations.

In practice, this means:

  • study the technical plans and other technical specifications of the construction site;
  • choose the materials;
  • measure and mark the cutting lines;
  • cut and shape wood or other derived materials;
  • fix timber, nails and glue to building elements;
  • inspect ceilings, walls, doors, windows, roofs, baseboards , furniture and all wooden materials for their possible replacement.

The carpenter’s tools

Many of the tasks we have just mentioned would not be feasible without a great familiarity with technical drawing and design : for this reason, among the fundamental requirements of carpentry work there are knowledge of algebra and geometry .

Theory, of course, is not enough.
Anyone who works as a carpenter must also have other skills, including:

Physical strength

To spend most of the day lifting, using mechanical tools and moving heavy materials you need to train your strength. Often carpenters also have to climb, stand or in awkward positions for long periods of time.

Communication

Civil carpentry tasks are part of a complex teamwork, where effective communication, both in writing and verbally, is essential. Often, carpenters also work in direct contact with customers to understand their needs, which will then be relayed to the rest of the team.

Attention to detail

Woodworking requires extreme precision. Measuring and cutting the pieces according to the exact measurements defined in the technical projects is vital. Attention to detail is an essential requirement for anyone who wants to become a carpenter.

Problem solving skills

A large part of the carpenter’s job has to do with repairing; therefore, knowing how to fix wood breaks or miscalculations is crucial. Those who work as a carpenter must be able to count on excellent mental flexibility to find quick and reliable solutions, even when time and budget are tight.

Dexterity and agility

Many carpentry jobs also require physical dexterity and nimble fingers that can move quickly and with great precision.

Mechanical skills

Carpenters work with various machines and potentially dangerous tools, including electric saws, cranes, augers and drills. Knowing how to handle these tools safely is, it goes without saying, vital.

What courses to take to become a carpenter?

To become a carpenter it is necessary to know everything about wood : how to cut it, how to assemble it, how to model countless pieces with skill and always aiming for the highest quality and resistance.

How do you learn to be a carpenter?

In a specialised and technical sector such as carpentry, training is the basis of everything.

If you are interested in starting to work as a carpenter, you must learn how to handle complex machinery and tools, to make calculations, to interpret technical projects and, of course, to work with precision wood.

If in the past starting as an apprentice in the workshop could have been a good way to embark on a career as a carpenter, nowadays the requirements are more stringent.

To become a carpenter you can attend a professional training course (after the eighth grade), a technical high school or obtain a title through a professionalizing course of joinery.


If you have all the necessary qualifications to be a carpenter and are looking for new customers, open your profile on Jopla : join other carpenters from all over Italy to look for job opportunities near you!