Carpenters

A number of associations service the needs of budding or experienced carpenters.

Associated General Contractors (AGC), with more than 27,000 member companies, offers a number of courses and programs in cities around the country as well as online. These are aimed not only at potential managers in areas like construction, safety, and technology; some courses like cost estimating are also designed for lower-level contractors who wish to advance in their profession.

Habitat for Humanity International (HHI) offers a great way to acquire experience in house building as a volunteer, whether young or old. Assignments are available on either a short- or long-term basis at sites around the country and abroad. There are also HHI programs geared specifically toward women, veterans, teachers, parents, and youth leaders.

Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), runs pre-apprentice training, mentoring, certification, and job placement services. Students who participate in the NAHB student chapters at HBI, designed for students in high school as well as two- or four-year colleges, have the opportunity to work side by side with experienced builders as well as those in related fields like engineering and real estate.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) offers courses to advance your industry knowledge on topics like green buildings. as well as webinars and online courses. NAHB also offers professional designations in categories such as builders, remodelers, and green professionals.

The largest union representing carpenters is the United Brotherhood or Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA). Founded in 1881, it controls about $45 billion in assets and offers extensive onsite training courses not only at its main site in Las Vegas, Nevada, but all over the country through its 26 regional and district councils.