Carpenters are artisans who saw, shape, fit and erect wooden frameworks, roof timbers and boarding for the construction of and fitting out of buildings.
Carpentry can be divided into two main sections: construction and finishing carpentry.
Construction carpentry: Here carpenters prepare moulds (shuttering) for concrete work, erect wooden roof-trusses, fix corrugated steel or similar sheeting used in construction, construct floors and drill and plug walls for the electrical supply. They study architectural drawings to select the right timber for the work. Once the wood has been selected, it is then marked, sawn, planed, shaped and joined.
As soon as the walls are high enough, doors and window frames are built into openings. Doors are then fitted with locks and bolts. Carpenters also lay wood and block flooring, fit kitchen dressers to walls and repair damaged woodwork in buildings. They work closely with other construction workers such as bricklayers, plasterers, and tilers. For example, before concrete slabs can be laid, they have to build wooden moulds (shuttering) into which the concrete is poured.
Finishing carpentry: Carpenters do the finer work of putting the finishing touches to the interior of a building. They erect panels and picture rails, make built-in cupboards and install carved ornamental woodwork.
Satisfying Aspects
- working on different projects at different locations
- working with your hands
- being active
- working outdoors
- having good employment opportunities
Demanding aspects
- having to budget carefully to prepare for lay-offs
- possibility of being laid off
- standing, stooping and lifting
- the possibility of injury at work
- having to work sometimes in hot, cold, dusty or noisy environments
Requirements
A carpenter should:
- be a minimum age of 16 years old
- enjoy working with hands
- be a neat and accurate worker;
- be able to measure and calculate accurately;
- have an interest in woodwork;
- have good spatial and form perception;
- enjoy working with others;
- have good health and strength;
- have hand and finger dexterity;
- have good eye-hand coordination.
School Subjects
Grade 9 Certificate.
Grade 10 Certificate or N1 is recommended.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mathematics
Training
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:
1. An apprenticeship is a 4-year contract between company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level.
2. A learnership is a structured learning programme that leads to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets on-the-job experience whilst training.
3. FET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (this NCV) similar to the
new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
Learners must all receive training in occupational safety and first aid, fire-fighting and preventative security measures. Learners study everything about the installation, maintenance and repair of all electrical equipment. They must also become familiar with municipal legislation relevant to electricity supply and consumption.
Employer
- government departments
- private building contractors
- construction companies
- self-employment, with the necessary experience can practise on a private basis or start own business.
www.mbsa.org.za