Start Your Carpentry Apprenticeship

What you will do Carpenters may do some or all of the following: study building plans and architectural drawings select building materials measure and cut materials to the right size and shape construct building frames and install cladding on the inside and outside of buildings install windows, staircases and doors renovate and do repair work on older houses. Skills and knowledge Carpenters need to have: building and carpentry skills knowledge of building methods and materials a basic level of maths skill interpreting drawings and architectural plans the ability to properly use and maintain tools an understanding of building and safety regulations. Working conditions Carpenters: usually work regular business hours, but may also work weekends work on building sites and in existing buildings work in conditions that may be wet, muddy, dusty, noisy, cramped or at heights travel locally to building sites. Pay Pay for carpenters varies depending on skills, experience and where they work. Carpentry apprentices may start on the training minimum wage or minimum wage, with pay increasing as they gain skills and complete unit standards. Inexperienced carpenters with no qualifications usually earn $21 to $23 an hour. Experienced carpenters, or those who have completed an apprenticeship, usually earn $25 to $45 an hour. Carpenters in positions such as site foreman usually earn $35 to $50 an hour. Those running their own business may earn more than this, but their income depends on the success of the business. Source: New Zealand Certified Builders Association, 2019. PAYE.net.nz website – use this calculator to convert pay and salary information Employment New Zealand website – information about minimum wage rates (This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

Entry requirements There are no specific requirements to become a carpenter as you gain skills on the job. However, many employers prefer to hire carpenters who have or are working towards a qualification. To become a qualified carpenter you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4). The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) oversees carpentry apprenticeships. The New Zealand Certified Builders Association also run an apprentice scheme through the Industry Training Association – Building (ITAB). Experienced carpenters with no qualifications can ask BCITO to have their skills assessed and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4). A New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry can also be completed through carpentry apprenticeships with the New Zealand Army. Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation website – information about carpenter apprenticeships New Zealand Certified Builders website – information on the ITAB apprentice scheme Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation website – find out about getting your trade experience recognised Defence Careers website – information on carpentry apprenticeships with the NZ Army Secondary education No specific secondary education is required for this job, but maths, construction and mechanical technologies, design and visual communication, English and science to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful. Year 11 and 12 learners can find out more about the construction industry and gain relevant skills, by doing a National Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades (Levels 1 and 2) through the BConstructive programme. For Year 11 to 13 learners, trades academies and the STAR and Gateway programmes are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills. These programmes may help you gain an apprenticeship, but do not reduce the time it takes to complete it. BConstructive website – information on the BConstructive programme Personal requirements Carpenters need to be: accurate, efficient and organised adaptable comfortable working at heights and in confined spaces safety-conscious able to work well in a team and good at communicating able to follow instructions. You need to be adaptable as a carpenter. You can be working on something, but then there’s a change of plan and you’re asked to redo it, or extra things need to be done. Photo: Unga Fonua Unga Fonua Carpenter Useful experience Useful experience for carpenters includes: draughting woodwork labouring on a construction site any other building trade experience. Physical requirements Carpenters need to be reasonably fit, healthy and strong as building work can involve a lot of heavy lifting. Registration Some building work has to be carried out or overseen by a Licensed Building Practitioner. To get a licence, you have to prove your experience and/or have appropriate qualifications. Licenced Building Practitioners website – information on applying for a licence

Career opportunities Qualified carpenter and builder, building site manager, building project manager, construction firm owner Record number of carpenter apprentices but demand still strong The number of apprentice carpenters has grown steadily in recent years but there are still not enough qualified carpenters to meet demand. You can increase your chances of getting a carpentry apprenticeship if you have: a good attitude to work, good time management skills, and are willing to learn completed a Gateway or pre-trade programme the ability to use hand and power tools, or operate a forklift general carpentry, framing and repairs experience already have a tertiary qualification but want to retrain in carpentry. Most carpenters work for large building companies or contractors Carpenters usually work for builders or building firms. Many of these are smaller businesses, employing two to 10 people. Large building firms also employ carpenters, but often subcontract work out to mid-sized building companies. Carpenters usually specialise in either residential or commercial building. Commercial building is dominated by larger companies, while most residential building is contracted to builders who employ only a few staff. What are the chances of getting a job? Growth in building work means good opportunities for carpenters Chances of getting a job as a carpenter are good due to: moderate growth in construction is predicted to extend until at least the end of 2023, meaning more building work the Government’s KiwiBuild programme involves the building of quality affordable homes over the next decade building work needed to upgrade leaky homes and earthquake-prone buildings. The Christchurch post-earthquake rebuild is ongoing but the majority of the remaining work is in the non-residential (commercial) sector. However, like many building jobs this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for carpenters. Carpenter appears on Immigration New Zealand’s regional and construction and infrastructure skill shortage lists. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled carpenters from overseas to work in New Zealand. According to the Census, 14,565 carpenters worked in New Zealand in 2018. Sources Florence, G, chief executive, Certified Builders Association, careers.govt.nz interview, September 2018. Immigration New Zealand, ‘Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List’, 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz). Immigration New Zealand, ‘Regional Skill Shortage List’, 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz). Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, ‘National Construction Pipeline Report, 6th Edition, July 2018, accessed September 2018, (www.mbie.govt.nz). Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, ‘Occupation Outlook – Carpenters and Joiners’, accessed September 2018, (www.mbie.govt.nz). NZ Herald, ‘Builders seek an extra 2000 apprentices a year with new app’, 24 May 2018. Stats NZ, ‘2018 Census Data’, 2019. (This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information) Progression and specialisations Experienced carpenters may progress to become self-employed or work as building contractors, or move into supervisory or management roles. Carpenters may specialise in either commercial or residential carpentry. Building contractor job information