Job description Carpenter in the Halifax Region

Find out what work is like for a carpenter in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Carpenters (NOC 72310).

Carpenters

Description

Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials. They are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors, and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Work week duration

Carpenters usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Carpenters have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
  • Prepare layouts in conformance to building codes, using measuring tools
  • Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials
  • Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems
  • Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware
  • Maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments
  • Supervise apprentices and other construction workers
  • May prepare cost estimates for clients.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Standing
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Handling material manually
  • Walking and running

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Carpenters are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments
  • Construction companies
  • Carpentry contractors
  • Self-employed

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Standard safety equipment
  • Sound and noise
  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Indoors, not environmentally controlled
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • Skin injury

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Close (at arm’s length)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 72310), and a list of similar occupations:

  • apprentice carpenter
  • carpenter
  • carpenter-joiner
  • finish carpenter
  • journeyman/woman carpenter
  • maintenance carpenter
  • metal framer - carpentry
  • renovation carpenter
  • rough carpenter
  • stair builder-carpenter

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Carpenters in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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