Learn the skills to become a carpenter

Program: Carpenter

Schools:

Location:

Program length: 8 Weeks

Start date: Level 2: April 7 - May 30, 2025 / Level 4: January 13 - March 25, 2025

Credential:

  • Completion of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualificiation from the GNWT

Delivery:

  • Classroom
  • Shop
Tuition & Fees Housing Information

Program Description

The Apprenticeship Carpenter program is designed to train apprentices to construct, erect and repair buildings and other structures made of wood, wood substitutes, steel and other materials. Due to the nature of the work of the carpenter, safety is taught on a continuous basis throughout this program.

This program outline is based on the NWT/Alberta Carpenter Apprenticeship Course Outline (2015) issued by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

The goal of apprenticeship training is to develop competent journeypersons through a combination of on-the-job and technical training.

The Apprenticeship Carpenter Program at Aurora College provides all four levels of technical training.

Program Eligibility

Program participants must be registered with the GNWT, Department of Education, Culture and Employment (Apprenticeship Division) prior to registering at Aurora College.

Applicant Assessment

Program applicants are assessed by the GNWT. Service is accessed through a local career service centre. Anyone wishing to become a Carpenter apprentice must:

  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Be physically capable of performing the work involved in the carpenter trade
  • Have a genuine desire to become a good tradesperson
  • Find a suitable employer who holds a Journey certificate in the carpenter trade or employs the holder of a Journey certificate in the trade and who is willing to hire and train the applicant
  • Obtain an overall average of 70% and a minimum of 50% in each of the subsections (mathematics, English and science) on the Trades Entrance Examination, Cluster #2.

Program Admission

Participants will be admitted to this program based on the eligibility requirements set by the GNWT.

Program Information

Aurora College provides technical training for each of the four levels that comprise a Carpenter Apprenticeship. Each level of technical training is 240 hours (eight weeks).

Curriculum requirements are set by the GNWT.

Participants must take each level in its entirety.

Participants are exposed to the program concepts through lectures, discussions, demonstrations, independent study and group study. They are then given opportunities for skill development through a series of practical applications.

Program Objectives

Level 1

The objective of this level are to enable graduates to carry out the tasks required of a level 2 apprentice in a responsible, competent and safe manner. These tasks include:

  1. Describing safe work practices related to jobsite conditions.
  2. Describing various building materials used in the construction industry.
  3. Describing and safely using hand and power tools related to the carpentry trade.
  4. Identifying and describing site preparation and building layout.
  5. Describing and constructing residential footing forms.
  6. Describing and constructing residential foundation forms.
  7. Describing and constructing residential floor frames.

Level 2
The objectives of this level are to enable graduates to carry out the tasks required of a level 3 apprentice in a responsible, competent and safe manner. These tasks include:

  1. Describing safe work practices related the jobsite conditions
  2. Describing various building materials use in the construction industry.
  3. Describing and constructing residential wall framing.
  4. Describing and constructing residential roofs.
  5. Describing and constructing interior and exterior finishes.
  6. Describing and constructing wood stairs.
  7. Describing and identifying plans used in the carpentry trade.
  8. Describing and estimating material used to frame and finish structures.

Level 3
The objectives of this level are to enable graduates to carry out the tasks required of a level 4 apprentice in a responsible, competent and safe manner. These tasks include:

  1. Describing safe work practices related the jobsite conditions.
  2. Describing concrete and its uses in the construction industry.
  3. Describing and using a builders level and transit to layout buildings.
  4. Describing and constructing commercial formwork.
  5. Describing and constructing concrete stairs.
  6. Describing and constructing interior finishes such as metal stud walls and suspended ceiling.
  7. Describing and identifying plans used in the carpentry trade.
  8. Describing and estimating material used to form concrete and finish commercial interiors.

Level 4
The objectives of this level are to enable graduates to carry out the tasks required of a certified journeyperson in a responsible, competent and safe manner. These tasks include:

  1. Describing safe work practices related the job site conditions.
  2. Describing workplace organization and material handling.
  3. Describing interior finishes including cabinets and wainscoting.
  4. Describing and constructing interior stairs complete with a balustrade
  5. Describing unequal slope roofs.
  6. Describing building design and renovations including additions.
  7. Describing energy efficiency and building science as related to the construction industry.
  8. Describing and identifying plans and drawings used in the construction industry.
  9. Describing and estimating material used complete interiors.
  10. Completing a Final Test Project (Computer Desk).

Completion Requirements

Theoretical and practical assignments and written examinations are used for evaluation purposes. Course marks are weighted based on a formula provided by Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification, GNWT.

In order for a participant to pass their apprenticeship level schooling, they must achieve a mark of 65% or greater, obtain a shop mark of 65% or greater and complete all course work.

Participants in level 4 must complete a timed practical assignment (computer desk) that is marked by industry evaluators.

A participant who fails Aurora College technical training must repeat the training regardless of the result obtained on the level examinations administered by the GNWT.

“An apprentice who is absent from a trade instruction course in which he or she is enrolled for more than 5% of the total time of the course may be terminated from that course by the supervisor and be subsequently scheduled to repeat the entire course.”

Article 20(1), NWT Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Regulations

Participants must achieve a mark of 70% in the GNWT-administered level examination in order to progress to the next level of technical training.

Document of Recognition

Program graduates receive a Completion of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification from the GNWT.

Contact Aurora College for more information

Important Information

Participants in Apprenticeship programs must be registered Canadian apprentices in the level to which they are applying. Aurora College can accept apprentices from jurisdictions across Canada, however, all participants must be registered with the Government of the Northwest Territories Apprenticeship Division (apprenticeship@gov.nt.ca) prior to registering with Aurora College.

For more information about the above visit: www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/apprenticeship-and-trades