Pathway
Carpentry Fundamentals
Carpentry Fundamentals youth apprentices gain skills related to the use of construction safety, drawings and blueprints, materials, tools, and general worksite procedures. Apprentices must adhere to industry safety and security standards. (Students must complete OSHA 10 and First Aid Certifications)
Length of the Apprenticeship: One or two years

Job Competencies
Year 1: Carpentry Fundamentals youth apprentices must complete a total of 15 Carpentry Fundamentals Competencies and a minimum of 1 Carpentry Specialty Competency. Employers can substitute 1 competency with another occupationally appropriate skill. That skill should be added to the competency list for assessment. Year 1 competencies are completed with employer guidance.
Youth apprentices must also complete the following during the first year:
- First Aid Certification
- Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) 10 or 30 Certification
Year 2: Carpentry Fundamentals youth apprentices must complete the fifteen Carpentry Fundamentals Competencies with minimal supervision and a minimum of 1 different Carpentry Specialty Competency than the first year. A specialty competency may be repeated only if the type of construction (residential or commercial) differs from the first year. Employers can substitute 1 competency with another occupationally appropriate skill. Year 2 competencies are completed with minimal employer guidance.
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YEAR 1 & 2 Competencies
- Follow safety procedures
- Read construction drawings and plans
- Interpret symbols and procedures
- Contribute to a job task plan
- Work as a member of a construction team
- Prepare work area for construction
- Select construction materials
- Use hand and light duty tools
- Use power tools and equipment
- Perform materials handling
- Install materials per job specifications
- Perform construction measurements
- Maintain a clean and safe work area
- Clean up job site
- Practice quality craftsmanship
Speciality Competencies
- Assist with finish framing or forming
- Assist with interior finishing
- Assist with exterior finishing
Related Instruction
Students must enroll in 1 High School Credit or 3 College Credits of related instruction each year they participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Purpose of Related Instruction
The purpose of choosing a related instruction course is to ensure students are learning technical and academic skills that support the student's ability to perform their work tasks. This should be done concurrently with on-the-job training to make relevant connections between learning competencies and work.
Choosing Related Instruction
You will collaborate with your YA Coordinator and School Counselor to determine the most appropriate option for related instruction. A course within your high school directly related to the career pathway is ideal, especially if dual credits and/or hours related to a potential registered apprenticeship are offered.
If there is not a directly related course in your school district, related instruction in the same career cluster is also acceptable.
If there is not a course within that career cluster in your school district, you may request to register for a college course through the Start College Now program with a local technical college, Early College Credit from a local university, or from an alternative provider such as Destinations Career Academy.
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- Home Improvement
- Woods/Woodworking
- Intro to Construction
- Home Maintenance
- Building/Construction
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- Blueprint Reading
- OSHA 10
- Intro to Building Instruction
- Construction Fundamentals
- Intro to Construction Management
- Understanding Construction Drawings
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- Basic Equipment Fundamentals
Post Secondary
There are numerous opportunities to continue your education after completing the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Registered Apprenticeships
The Carpentry pathway can bridge into a registered apprenticeship as Carpentry