Carpentry Schools

Overview

Carpentry schools offer adequate knowledge on wood use and construction. These schools teach many forms of carpentry, which include making furniture, constructing buildings, and crafting wood products. In addition, some carpentry schools teach you smaller details and delicate work. Refinishing wood is also taught at some carpentry schools. Some schools also deal with antique work.

There are many different types of carpenters who specialize in various tasks. A finish carpenter focuses on cabinetry, furniture making, model building, and fine wood work. A carpenter who specializes in molds and trims of doors, window casings, mantels, and baseboards is known as a trim carpenter. A cabinet maker, as the term indicates, is one who is a specialist in making cabinets, dressers, storage chests, and wardrobes. If you are interested in ships, you can become a ship's carpenter and build, maintain, and repair ships. A scenic carpenter specializes in building properties, sets, and scenery in the film and television industry while a framer focuses on building the skeletal frames of buildings. A roofer is a carpenter who deals with roof construction and repair.

Carpentry programs offer diploma or certification courses and these are normally found in vocational/technical community colleges. These courses generally deal with construction, blue print reading, roof construction, estimation, and planning.

Benefits

A course in carpentry opens up scope for plenty of jobs. You can work with a home building contractor, or work on your own. You can also set up a furniture store. A skilled carpenter is always in demand. Working on your own time gives you the freedom and flexibility to set up your own schedule. You can also make considerable income in carpentry.

Costs

The cost of the program includes the cost of tuition fee and cost of the equipment that you buy. The total fee is around a thousand dollars for a year and varies from school to school.

Schools

Some of the online colleges include Ashworth College, Penn Foster Career School, and Pennsylvania College of Technology. Other popular trade schools that have programs in carpentry include Everest Institute, Bates Technical College, and Thaddus Stevens College.

Testing & Preparation

If you are interested in studying in a carpentry program in college, it would be advantageous if you had studied mathematics or building trade schools in your high school. Admission to such programs generally does not require test scores but an aptitude and inclination towards wood work. Certain colleges do not ask for any educational or experience prerequisites for joining a program in carpentry.

Financial Aid

Bates Technological Institute offers Bates Foundation Scholarships for deserving students. Financially disadvantaged students can avail the Stevens Grant that is offered by Stevens College. You can apply for financial aid in the financial aid office at Pennsylvania College of Technology.