• Operate professional-grade power tools to create a wide range of projects

• Perform all aspects of residential and commercial construction from foundation to finish

• Work independently and in teams to design and build a variety of structures

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Carpenters play crucial roles in every step of construction. In our Carpentry program, students learn how these skilled tradespeople build homes and other structures from foundation to roof. As they prepare to launch careers in the construction trades or pursue postsecondary education, students develop the following skills:

• Read blueprints, building specifications, section views and elevation views; draw plans to scale
• Perform sitework such as staking out buildings and constructing footers, foundations and slab forms
• Frame floors, walls, ceilings and roofs
• Construct and install exterior finish, including windows, doors, siding, roofing, gutters and downspouts
• Construct and install interior finish, including drywall, door trim, window trim, flooring and baseboards

Working in a program lab outfitted with the latest industry-standard equipment, including SawStop saws for enhanced safety, students first master fundamentals like using hand and power tools, building walls and hanging doors. Later, they advance to installing siding, framing staircases and estimating material costs. Along the way, they learn how concepts like green building and universal design are applicable in the field.

Upperclassmen gain real-world experience by tackling carpentry projects for community schools or nonprofit organizations and securing co-op positions with local contractors. Practicing job site safety, learning to work in teams and adhering to building codes, zoning regulations and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements are important elements of the program, too.

Our Carpentry program is endorsed by the following organization:

Pennsylvania Builders Association

Industry Credentials

Carpentry students can earn the following certifications and credentials in high school:

• OSHA Certification via CareerSafe®
• Pennsylvania Skills Certificate via NOCTI®
• Pennsylvania Builders Association® Skills Certificate
• Residential Construction Academy National Registry

College Credits

Statewide and local articulation agreements known as SOAR and ACES, respectively, allow students to earn college credit for their work in the Carpentry program.

Career Paths

with credentials:

• Apprentice Carpenter
• Finish Carpenter
• Rough Carpenter

with credentials and experience:

• Construction Foreman
• Contractor

with postsecondary training or college degree:

• Building/Construction Inspector
• Civil Engineer
• Construction Manager