Carpenter Definition and Carpentry Work
The trade of carpentry involves the shaping, cutting, and installation of various building materials, such as timber bridges, concrete forms, and buildings. Traditionally, carpenters worked with natural wood, but today they can also use other types of materials. In addition to this, they sometimes handle finer trades such as furniture building and cabinetmaking. In the US, almost all carpenters are male. In 1999, it was the fourth most dominant occupation in the country, with about 98.5% of them being men. In 2006, there were over 1.5 million positions in the country that were related to this profession. These individuals are typically the first people to work on a project, and they are typically the last to leave. During the 19th century, carpenters were known to frame post-and-beam buildings. This trade is typically taught through an apprenticeship program, which typically lasts for four years. Carpenters can then successfully complete the competency test in various countries, such a...