Returning to civilian life as a veteran may be difficult. Playing in a game is an experience like no other. But if you want to have a secure life as a veteran, you need to pick a good profession. Explore potential careers in which you can put your abilities to work. Working as a carpenter is a great way to put your hands-on skills to good use.
A carpenter career can bring in good money, but it won’t come cheap. The typical cost of a carpentry class is between $300 and $2500. Wow, that’s a lot of cash, especially after you’ve retired.
The GI Bill, however, removes that financial burden entirely. Numerous educational advantages are available to veterans and their families through the Department of Veterans Affairs. One perk is financial support for further education, such as college or graduate school.
Learn about the carpentry trade, the requisite education, and how the GI Bill may help you get there.
WHO IS A CARPENTER?
One of the oldest occupations still in use today is carpentry. Carpenters are highly trained craftspeople who build things. The majority of their time is spent working on houses or repairing existing ones. While wood is their primary medium, carpenters are also capable of working with concrete and other building materials.
Being a carpenter opens up several doors for employment. A carpenter’s job description might include everything from constructing bridges to making end tables. Most carpenters choose to focus on one particular area or style of building. A carpenter, for instance, may focus on either historical restoration or structural framing.
It may be beneficial for a veteran to pursue a profession in carpentry. That’s great news since it means you can put your considerable mechanical and manual talents to use in whichever sector you choose. Many veterans looking for civilian employment want to avoid desk jobs after leaving the military. Carpentry is an excellent profession since it requires constant movement around the work site.
What does a carpenter do?
Carpenters must follow local construction codes, which may be indicated on plans or on the directions of their supervisor. A carpenter is responsible for a variety of things, including:
Preparing various materials for use in construction by means of measuring, cutting, or shaping
- Accuracy is ensured by employing various tools including rulers, framing squares, and levels.
- Putting in new doors, cabinets, windows, and other structures
- Learning to Read and Understand Blueprints
- Putting up and fixing things like flooring, doors, walls, cupboards, shelves, windows, stairways, and roofs
- Cost estimation and material requirements planning for projects
- skill with power tools like saws, drills, and chisels
- Planning, structural design, and layout help for supervisors
HOW A VETERAN BECAME A CARPENTER
It’s important for veterans to find something that puts their experience to good use while also helping them transition into civilian life. Carpet installation is a rewarding vocation that does not require extensive schooling or experience. You may become yourself job-ready by enrolling in some relevant classes.
You should enroll in an apprentice program once you’ve finished some vocational training. The price of earning your carpenter’s license might range from $750 to $6,000. However, you are financially able to invest in necessary certification or training. The hefty cost of this program may be covered by the Department of Veteran Affairs, depending on your eligibility.
There is a required set of skills you should have under your belt before you decide to become a carpenter. Some of these include being familiar with necessary tools and learning how to draw out plans and structures. You require a basic understanding of form and function. There may be hundreds of tools available, but a carpenter must have expert knowledge of only a handful. The following are some useful resources to learn more about:
- Nail puller/hammer: As a carpenter, you’ll spend a lot of time working with these tools. If you’re considering a career in carpentry, you should know your way around a hammer and some nails.
- The saw is your brush for creating works of art out of woodworking. While there are many other saws available, the universal saw is the most common and widely utilized. Learn how to use a variety of saws and hone your design skills to become a skilled carpenter.
- Measuring In every construction or repair job, the most crucial tool is a measuring tape. A wrong measurement might spell disaster for the entire undertaking. Therefore, learn how to use a measuring tape and become accustomed to the metric system.
- A spirit level is a tool for checking the vertical and horizontal alignment of objects. It’s a must-have whether working with wood or hanging shelves. In carpentry, it’s essential to emphasize symmetry and straight lines.
- Pens and pencils are more formally known as marking instruments. After taking the necessary measurements, you’ll need a pen or pencil to mark the spots on the wood where cuts and nails should be made. You may also use these instruments to sketch up a preliminary plan for your building supplies.
After getting some hands-on experience withthe necessary equipment and techniques, you should investigate vocational training programs offered by local educational institutions. The VA Education Program pays for these services for eligible veterans.
The first step you should take when contemplating a career change into carpentry is to see a guidance counselor or an experienced carpenter. They’ll shed light on how classroom instruction works. Possibilities exist that they will be able to inform you about resources in your neighborhood that you were previously unaware of.
Classes in the Building Trades are only available at a limited number of US universities. These lessons will give you a better grasp of the carpentry profession.
There are a few local community centers that provide introductory carpentry courses to locals for a little fee or for free. Just do a Google search to locate relevant courses. You can talk to the community’s leader about starting a carpentry course if there isn’t already one. One day, they could even decide to have one.
You may spend up to $2000 on these community and vocational programs. However, the GI Bill offers a wide range of benefits specifically for veterans. The government agency may cover most or all of the expenses, depending on your eligibility. That way, you may sign up for as many classes as you like without breaking the bank.
Join an apprenticeship program if you’re serious about becoming a carpenter. Look for internships and apprenticeships where you may learn on the job from a professional in the field.
Beginning your formal education with an apprenticeship is a great option. These courses can range from three to four years and provide you with the opportunity to hone your craft under the supervision of an experienced carpenter. Under this umbrella of technical education, one would study subjects like interpreting blueprints, complying with building codes, and mathematics.
Some apprenticeships even offer the chance to obtain particular knowledge in a certain field. Scaffolding and concrete work fall under this category. Therefore, it is crucial that you learn everything you can about these programs before deciding to enroll in one.
It is important to learn about the apprenticeship program’s prerequisites before applying. Also, make sure you’re checking off each one. The following are examples of possible constraints:
- holding a degree from an accredited college or university
- Identification as a U.S. resident
- Beating a drug test
- Ability to put through long hours of physical labor
Many trade associations provide apprenticeships for aspiring carpenters. Always seek out the company of a seasoned carpenter to learn from their methods. Once you’ve located a promising program, the next step is to apply to join it.
Several hundred hours of instruction in carpentry are often necessary before entering the field on a freelance basis, however, this varies by state. The GI Bill provides financial aid to eligible veterans for educational expenses, which can be used toward vocational training. Money for tuition, fees, and housing will be available to those who qualify under this provision.
Steps to a Career as a Carpenter
If you want to work in the construction industry, being a carpenter requires that you satisfy certain criteria. To become a carpenter, you can pursue the following routes:
1. Make sure you graduate high school:
Apprenticeship programs normally require applicants to have completed high school or its equivalent. Carpenters typically have a minimum of a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Carpentry, drafting, and mathematics are all useful subjects to study in high school since they provide a foundation for future careers. Students may get a head start on the skills and lingo they’ll need for apprenticeships and postsecondary carpentry programs by taking these classes in high school.
In some cases, students might begin working as apprentices under the supervision of seasoned carpenters prior to completing their formal education.
2. Join an apprenticeship program:
Construction unions and commercial and industrial businesses frequently provide apprenticeship programs. Under the guidance of seasoned carpenters and other construction professionals, these programs typically run between three and four years.
At the outset of your apprenticeship, you will learn the fundamentals of carpentry, including safety procedures, freehand drawing, arithmetic, first aid, reading blueprints, and other methods. Then, the apprentices will get experience in the field by actually building things. Rough framing, form building, planning, and interior and exterior finishing will all be covered in their education.
You will be recognized as a journeyman once you have finished your formal apprenticeship. You may further your carpentry education by being certified, attending trade school, or studying something else entirely.
3. Think about enrolling in a formal carpentry program:
Prospective carpenters are not compelled to enroll in technical or community college carpentry programs. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd of applicants for carpentry jobs, you might want to consider enrolling in one of these courses. Some apprenticeship programs even allow participants to earn college credit toward a certificate or associate’s degree.
More advanced training will most likely cover topics such as carpentry mathematics, roof and stair construction, building plans, foundation and layout work, siding, and moldings. Getting a certificate or associate’s degree in carpentry can help you get a better job and make more money in the long run.
4. Build employable abilities:
Alternatively, you may focus on infrastructure, cabinets, roofing, or remodeling. You’ll be able to promote yourself more successfully in the professional world once you’ve found your expertise. You might also think about picking up a local language to expand your options. Some companies may give you an edge in the hiring process since they value multilingual employees (even carpenters).
Average Wages for Carpenters
Although highly competent and experienced carpenters might ask for considerably more than the median annual salary of $46,590, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the year 2018. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) reports that the average hourly income for a newly trained carpenter is between $18 and $21.
The GI Bill and the Veterans' Ability to Become Carpenters
The total cost of education and training to enter the trade of carpentry may exceed $3000. The government has enacted a statute, the GI statute, that provides financial aid to veterans and their families. The legislation would make it more affordable for you to pursue carpentry as a profession by covering the high cost of your training.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides financial aid for higher education through the GI Bill. The legislation would pay for any type of education or certification program. Even if the law will pay for a sizable portion of your education, you should be aware of the various housing and benefits to which you are entitled.
The GI Bill may be used to pay for either community care programs or entry-level carpentry courses if you decide to make carpentry your job of choice. You may also investigate the bill’s apprenticeship provisions.