Certificate in Carpentry.
The carpentry curriculum helps learners to build general carpentry skills, before moving into advanced topical coverage of framing and finish carpentry, as well as concrete and form carpentry.
Carpentry Course Descriptions
Expand each course below for a description and assigned time commitment per topic.
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Time on Topic: .5 day / 4 hours
This course introduces students to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) materials. NCCER is a leader in construction education and training materials and students will be provided their access code and spend time learning how to navigate the website to access the learning materials.
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Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the use of the tape measure. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of wood types. Types of woods range from soft woods like pine and spruce to hardwoods such as oak and walnut. The specific choice of wood depends on the project’s requirements including factors like cost, durability, ease to work with and the overall look. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamental type of nails and their specific application. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamental type of screws and their specific application. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamental use of various types of hammers (claw, ball peen, framing, and tack) and the correct application of each. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of cutting wood using various saws. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamental use of the various hand tools (chisels, hand saw, utility knife, level, chalk line, planes, coping saw, and a square) in carpentry. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamental use of the various electric tools (chop saw, table saw, circular saw, miter saw, jigsaw, drills, impact drivers, routers, nail guns and sanders) in carpentry. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 5 days / 40 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to set or install doors. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 5 days / 80 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to set or install windows. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 4 days / 32 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to build stairs. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to build gables. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 5 days / 40 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to set trusses. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 14 days / 112 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to build walls using wood and metal. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to build columns. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to tie rebar. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to install various flooring types. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 day / 16 hours
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) course teaches basic safety and health information to entry-level workers in the construction and general industry. The course focuses on recognizing and avoiding common workplace hazards. Also covered are worker rights and employer’s responsibilities.
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Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to use ladders in carpentry with a focus on safety. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to build and use scaffolding with a focus on safety. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to operate a forklift. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of reading blueprints and other construction drawings. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours
In this course students will learn how to estimate the cost for a job to include identifying the various cost factors of labor cost, material costs, equipment costs, overhead cost and contingency costs. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 4 days / 32 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to put on siding. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to properly use a laser. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to set lines using various tools to accurately mark and transfer measurements onto wood and other materials. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to set/install pre-built cabinets. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to build and install shelving. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to set/install non-plumbing bathroom fixtures such as vanities. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to install various door hardware such as doorknobs, levers, deadbolts, and handlesets. This is an essential skill needed for a carpenter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.
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Time on Topic: 10 days / 80 hours
In this course students will be on the job site to apply the knowledge, and skills learned while in their program to the world of work. This is a learning experience, and students will not be used as replacement or regular employees. Students may or may not be paid for their internship. Internships will be coordinated and monitored by the program coordinator/lead instructor to ensure that the expected learning outcomes are achieved.
Total Days / Total Hours
80 days / 640 hours
At the successful completion of the Program, a Certificate will be awarded by the Virginia Construction Trades Academy.
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