Career Opportunities

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Measure and cut the materials to proper size and place them.
Construct the wooden framework of buildings and install molding, wood paneling, and cabinets.
Install windows, door frames, doors, stairs.
Be concerned with the appearance as well as the accuracy of the work.
May build forms needed for concrete slabs, steps, piers, and walls.
Use tools including hammers, saws, chisels and planes, as well as power tools such as portable power saws, drills, and power nailers.
May prefer to specialize in rough work, trim work, or cabinet making.
May do concrete flatwork.

Classes for students who start Fall term have a spring term that is divided into 10 weeks and 5 weeks. During the 10 weeks, the students complete studies in forming, trim, and drafting. The 5 week session begins the construction which ends at the completion of the summer session.
There may be much satisfaction from producing a finished product.
You should be prepared to work outside in good and bad weather.
Your work is often seasonal.
Construction work is sometimes dangerous and often noisy and dirty.
Opportunities for self-employment are very good.
Students must provide their own transportation to the construction site during 3rd term.
There is a DMACC-Carpenter's Union Labor agreement that will allow a graduate of the program to drop one year from the apprenticeship program. Graduates who are accepted into the apprenticeship program can expect to get wages close to $9.00/hour and $4.00/hour benefit package.
Average starting salary $20,000-$25,000