Should I become a Carpenter?

[chassybold]

Hi,

I'm a bit stuck and didn't know where else to turn...
I am currently studying A levels in my final year of sixth form, and everyone was expecting me to become a civil engineer; however, I have decided that is not what I want to do. I have decided I would like to become a Carpenter.
I have a few questions:
Where and how can I get an apprenticeship?

I would like to start off in some form of Green Oak Framing, cus wow, they're beautiful. How could I do this, and what are the current employment prospects like? Also, is there much work in this area in the UK?

I would then perhaps like to move into some form of Cabinetry when i'm older, as I'm not sure I would be able to perform such a physical job at an older age - but, as I understand, the amount of work in the area of the field is pretty dire at the moment, any more information on this would be greatly appreciated.

I have a fair amount of experience in carpentry considering my age, making an electric guitar, and carving a lot of small things, as well as being proficient with a lathe.

Money does not really matter to me, otherwise I would become an engineer.

Any information is greatly appreciated, thanks for reading!
Charlie.

 

[nuggets]

No! to keep it simple stick with your A levels and keep at the carpentry as a hobby

 

[HillBill]

Mate, money might not really matter to you.... but it will matter to the people you buy your house from.. the people you buy your car from... a wife you may get and children you may have, the place that sells you your food etc.

Good skill carpentry... but the world is moving away from working with solid wood as much as it used to. Not too sure what the future of it will be.

Money does not really matter to me, otherwise I would become an engineer.
Any information is greatly appreciated,

 

[nuggets]

Mate, money might not really matter to you.... but it will matter to the people you buy your house from.. the people you buy your car from... a wife you may get and children you may have, the place that sells you your food etc.

Good skill carpentry... but the world is moving away from working with solid wood as much as it used to. Not too sure what the future of it will be.

+10

to what he said

 

[Robbi]

i honestly don't know where to start with this one.

 

[chassybold]

The sentiment is appreciated, and I see where you're coming from, but that bit of the post wasn't particularly important; i'm more interested in the questions
From what I understand, timber will always be used to frame houses, as it is a cheap material that is not going to run out, so in this sense, there should always be work for carpenters.
What i'm planning on doing is doing a years work experience in different places, and if I don't like it, i'll apply to university next year.

 

[chassybold]

I'm keeping with my A levels, in case I change my mind

 

[chassybold]

Thanks by the way

 

[swotty]

I'm a carpenter , and wish money didn't matter to me otherwise I train to be a civil engineer and earn more.

My advice would be (if money doesn't matter to you) become e a civil engineer, earn lots of money, retire early and take up carpentry as a hobby

Just seen your other post...timber is not a 'cheap material' anymore...take a look at the prices at your local building suppliers!

 

[Dougster]

The sentiment is appreciated, and I see where you're coming from, but that bit of the post wasn't particularly important; i'm more interested in the questions
From what I understand, timber will always be used to frame houses, as it is a cheap material that is not going to run out, so in this sense, there should always be work for carpenters.
What i'm planning on doing is doing a years work experience in different places, and if I don't like it, i'll apply to university next year.

Good plan. I teach Design and wish I had become a chippy, maybe moved onto cabinet making after a while. A friend of mine does it, is as poor as dirt and as happy as you like.

I always tell my pupils, do what you love, if you love it, you'll get good at it.

 

[nuggets]

i honestly don't know where to start with this one.

How about sending ya C.V out !!

 

[joejoe]

sorry but i think i have found i could have a job i like or a job that fed the kids, hope you find job that does both

 

[boatman]

Somebody's experience
http://www.coppiceapprentice.org.uk/people.php

Routes http://www.craftanddesign.net/magazine/199/training-furniture-makers.php

Then there are a number of stately homes that offer outbuildings to craftsmen do searches.

More bushcrafty http://smallwoods.org.uk/information/education/coppice-apprenticeships/

Very good luck

 

[Macaroon]

Follow your heart, I say.............as long as you're as sure as you can be that that's really what you want to do with your life, or this part of it anyway.............I don't know where in the UK you are, but you'd need to get yourself to somewhere where these skills will be needed; the place that springs to mind immediately is Herefordshire, a county with a great many Cruck-frame houses, most of which will need remedial work by highly skilled people.................I'm told that there's quite a long wait for skillrd people to carry out this type of work. The other places to have a look-see would be Church of England Estates, all that specialised woodworking
they need doing..................find out how and to whom those contracts are given out. And the National Trust; same thing, fing out how they arrange their maintenance and refurbishment contracts, then go from there.

As soon as you start looking into these avenues of opportunity you'll find that very quickly you'll build up a lot of contacts, and if you come over as keen and useful people will pass your details on to others......
Networking is your friend!

 

[Robbi]

ok, i'll give it a try..............

stick with your exams and do well in them ( this gives you a choice later....very important )

there are many types of carpenters / joiners, from highend furniture to shuttering carpenters on civil engineering sites.

shopfitting companys may take you on as a trainee joiner, that would be a good start and depending on the company will contain a vast aray of experiences from skirting boards to door frames to pub / club / bank / office fit outs that can include very high end top quality stuff ( a mate of mine is a self employed kitchen fitter carpenter, he makes everything himself and only works on kitchens that have a value of over £25,000....sounds crazy but last year he had to turn work away )

The current market for all site skills......civil engineer / carpenter is awfull, my advise would be to continue with your studies and get qualified as a civil engineer whilst expanding your woodworking hobby ( maybe you could pay your way through college / uni with it )

Once qualified, a whole new world opens up for you oportunities will present themselves to you, you will have a better understanding of the harsh realities of a working life.

To say that money does not really matter to you proves one thing......you still live at home with Mum and Dad......enjoy that while you can the horrible responsibility of "providing" will be upon you soon enough

I wish you luck and success

 

[Gary Elson]

Hi
I lecture in Engineering at an FE college and have lots of similar conversation
So
There are no simple answers - but as a priority finish your A levels (you don't say what your studying but I suspect maths is probably in the mix)
You mention carpentry make sure your fully understand the difference between carpentry , joinery and cabinet making
Was going to Uni your original plan? Think about apprenticeships you may find a firm that could give you the best of both worlds as it were
And as the saying goes " money doesn't buy you happiness but it does make being miserable a whole lot easier"

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

Been a joiner/carpenter for 20 years mate.ive managed too weather the recession n all seems good that better times are ahead.youll be lucky too pick up a decent apprenticeship in the trade.my advice would be too be too Finnish your exams get them passed.you could enroll in an nvq night course at your local college too fuel your want for the carpentry.do small projects n pick up experience.your on this earth a long time do both n see what plays out for yer best

 

[chassybold]

I understand what you're saying, and I appreciate the time you have taken to respond.

Is the market for civil engineers awful? Have I been being fed mis-information at school?

What I think I will do now, is do a civil engineering degree, (there is even an amazing one at a a uni in Edinburgh, "civil and TIMBER engineering"! ), maybe become an engineer for a decade or so, make some money, as I think what I meant to say is "I don't want money to matter". I don't think it will matter eventually, but need money to get to that point - I would like to at some point live a self-reliant life. I do still currently live my Mum, as I am 17, but we have not had an easy life thus far, her being unemployed for the past 8 years, so I am used to living a fairly basic life, but other commenters are right - I wouldn't want any possible future children of mine to be in my situation, so money is important.

Thank you for your kind words

 

[Robbi]

"What I think I will do now, is do a civil engineering degree, (there is even an amazing one at a a uni in Edinburgh, "civil and TIMBER engineering"! ), maybe become an engineer "

good move that man you might even get to like it

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

Finnish your exams first kid you've plenty of time too pick up a trade later.dont ever start something your not gonna Finnish you'll only be left with regrets.