The Carpentry
program is a Chapter 74 approved course of study offering a comprehensive competency-based curriculum aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Education Vocational Technical Education Frameworks – Construction Cluster – Carpentry. First-year students focus in the classroom and shop on developing basic carpentry-related skills. Students begin by mastering basic carpentry competencies, such as ruler reading, workplace safety, and operation of both hand and power tools.
Students will advance through the curriculum learning modular layout techniques for residential concrete installation and wood framing. Hands-on practice is combined with related written and computational skills development such as, but not limited to, cost estimating, blueprint reading and materials take-off calculation. Students combine this curriculum with manipulative skills development associated with shop tools through a series of on-campus projects such as step stools, benches, sawhorses, etc.
Off-campus projects: These projects range from partial or whole buildings to small renovations. This exposes students to all aspects of the building industry including compliance with building codes, city ordinances, OSHA regulations, scheduling with other sub-contractors and meeting deadlines, and contact with building inspectors.
Course Objectives:
Using industry standards, students will learn the following competencies:
- Integrate academics through project-based learning
- Recognize career pathway opportunities
- Interact safely in a shop environment
- Incorporate the use of industry standard technology and software
- Read, understand, and communicate in the language of the field
- Organize and research information
- Develop a professional appearance, exemplary work ethic and superior communication skills
- Safely operate and maintain tools & equipment
- Understand and utilize tools of measurements
- Understand terminology as it pertains to building codes and city ordinances
- Credits towards the Carpentry Apprentice Program
- Exposure to all aspects of the construction industry
- Develop skills using hand and power tools in projects from small woodworking to fine cabinetry.
Certifications/Licenses:
- BLS CPR w/AED
- Heartsaver First Aid
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Certification
Looking toward the future:
The need for carpenters is expected to grow as construction activity increases in response to the demand for new housing, office and retail space, and for the modernizing and expanding of schools and industrial plants. To become a skilled carpenter usually takes between 3 and 4 years of both on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Carpenters can experience periods of unemployment because of the short-term nature of many construction projects and winter slowdowns in construction activity in northern areas Carpenters with all-round skills have better opportunities for steady work than carpenters who can perform only a few relatively simple, routine tasks. Carpenters may also be employed outside the construction industry in a variety of field including manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Students successfully completing the Carpentry program have the option of securing gainful employment, continuing formal studies at the post-secondary level, or pursuing a combination of both.
Post-Secondary Options:
| American International College Berkshire Community College Fitchburg State College Franklin Institute Greenfield Community College | Holyoke Community College Mount Wachusett Community College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Northeastern University Pennsylvania College of Technology – School of Construction and Design | University of Massachusetts Vermont Technical College Wentworth Institute of Technology Worcester Polytechnic Institute |
Apprenticeships
| Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship Floor Coverers Local #2168 International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Local # 1 | MA Carpenters Training Center MA Millwrights Local #1121 New England Laborers Apprenticeship | Plasterers/Cement Masons Local #534 Roofers & Slaters Local #248 Western MA Carpenters Local #336 |
Career Opportunities:
Entry-level Jobs – High School Diploma – On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeship
| Apprentice Cement Mason/Bricklayer Cabinet Maker Construction Laborer Drywall Installer & Lather Floor/Carpet Installer | Framing Carpenter Finish Carpenter General Carpenter Insulation Installer Lumber Sales Plasterer Roofer | Rough Carpenter Solar Energy System Installer Siding Installer Technical Sales Tile Setter Union Apprentice |
Skilled Jobs – Technical/Community College/ Associates Degree or Certificate
| Architectural Technology Building Inspector Contractor | Construction Foreman Draftsperson Estimator | Glazier Interior/Exterior Designer Surveyor |
Professional Careers – BS / MS Degree/Graduate Studies
| Architect Architectural Engineer Civil Engineer | Design Engineer Environmental Engineer Industrial Engineer | Industrial Management Real Estate Developer Structural Engineer |
Instructors
 Paul Iellamo Exploratory & 1st (Shop) Ext. 1109 (Classroom) Ext. 1110 |  David DeGray 2nd & 3rd year (Shop) Ext. 1109 (Classroom) Ext. 1110 |
 Raffaele Ricciardi Technical Assistant |