Trade Profile

Carpenter
Trade Profile
Carpenter
Structure of the Trade Profile
This profile has two sections that provide a snapshot of the trade’s description, and all trade activities as
they are organized in the Red Seal Occupational Standard:

Description of the Carpenter trade: an overview of the trade’s duties, work environment, project
requirements, similar occupations and career progression

Task Matrix: a chart which outlines graphically the major work activities, tasks and sub-tasks of this
standard

Major Work Activity (MWA): the largest division within the standard that is comprised of a distinct set of
trade activities

Task: distinct actions that describe the activities within a major work activity

Sub-task: distinct actions that describe the activities within a task

2 Red Seal Trade Profile - Carpenter

Description of the Carpenter Trade
“Carpenter” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA. This standard
covers tasks performed by a carpenter.

Carpenters construct, install, renovate and repair residential, civil, institutional, commercial and industrial
(ICI) structures made of wood, steel, concrete and other materials.

They can work for a wide array of employers, including new home builders and renovation firms,
construction firms, building owners, property managers and tenants, building developers and government
departments. Some carpenters are union members and a significant number are self-employed.

While the scope of the carpenter trade includes many aspects of building construction, a growing number
of carpenters work for contractors in such areas of trade practice as concrete forming, framing, finishing,
interior systems, renovations and surveying. Carpenters are employed in a variety of project
environments, including houses under construction or renovation, ICI, civil and infrastructure projects, and
plants that pre-fabricate buildings. Carpenters are found working in a variety of sectors such as
construction, manufacturing, service, mining, agricultural, institutional, commercial, forestry, and transit
and transportation.

Safety is critical to all carpenters. In addition to typical risks of injury resulting from slips and falls, falling
objects and the use of hand and power tools, carpenters must be aware of constantly changing work
surroundings to mitigate the chance of injury to self and others. The proper use of personal protective
equipment (PPE) and related training is very important to carpenters regardless of their location of work.
Risk/hazard assessments prior to performing tasks are necessary and important.

Some important competencies of a carpenter are good knowledge of mathematics, the ability to use
metric and imperial measurements, an understanding of building science, communication and
problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. Other skills present in a
competent carpenter are the ability to work at heights, the ability to stand or kneel for long periods of time,
manual dexterity and good balance. Carpenters must be prepared to work in a variety of working
environments including extreme temperatures. Carpentry at times may be a physically demanding
occupation requiring the lifting of heavy tools and materials. Carpenters may operate equipment such as
mobile elevated work platforms and material moving equipment. Journeyperson carpenters are expected
to mentor apprentices given the hands-on nature of the trade.

This standard recognizes similarities and overlaps with the work of other tradespersons such as roofers,
lathers (interior systems mechanics), building envelope technicians, drywall finishers and plasterers,
floorcovering installers, concrete finishers, ironworkers (reinforcing) and cabinetmakers. Experienced
carpenters may advance to supervisory positions, or become independent contractors, due to their
involvement in most aspects of building construction.

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Carpenter
Task Matrix
A – Performs common occupational skills 12%

Task A-1 A-1.01 Uses hand, power and A-1.02 Uses stationary tools A-1.03 Uses powder-actuated
Uses and maintains tools and pneumatic tools tools
equipment
32%

A-1.04 Uses lifting, rigging A-1.05 Uses layout A-1.06 Uses tack welding
and hoisting equipment instruments and equipment equipment (Not Common
Core)

A-1.07 Uses torch cutting

equipment (Not Common
Core)

Task A-2 A-2.01 Uses personal A-2.02 Maintains safe work

Performs safety-related activities protective equipment (PPE) environment
26% and safety equipment

Task A-3 A-3.01 Uses stationary access A-3.02 Uses mobile access A-3.03 Erects/dismantles
Builds and uses temporary access equipment equipment scaffolding
structures
26%

A-3.04 Modifies scaffolding

Task A-4 A-4.01 Uses communication A-4.02 Uses mentoring

Uses communication and mentoring techniques techniques
techniques
16%

4 Red Seal Trade Profile - Carpenter

B – Performs planning and layout 14%

Task B-5 B-5.01 Interprets project B-5.02 Interprets B-5.03 Interprets safety
Interprets documentation drawings specifications documentation
35%

B-5.04 Interprets workplace

documentation

Task B-6 B-6.01 Schedules work B-6.02 Performs site B-6.03 Performs quantity
Organizes work sequence preparation takeoff
24%

B-6.04 Organizes material

Task B-7 B-7.01 Performs site layout B-7.02 Lays out concrete B-7.03 Lays out floors
Performs layout formwork
41%

B-7.04 Lays out decks B-7.05 Lays out walls B-7.06 Lays out ceilings

B-7.07 Lays out roofs B-7.08 Lays out stairs B-7.09 Lays out balustrades

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C – Performs concrete work 16%

Task C-8 C-8.01 Erects excavation C-8.02 Erects concrete C-8.03 Constructs footing
Constructs formwork shoring and underpinning falsework forms
72%

C-8.04 Constructs wall form C-8.05 Constructs slab C-8.06 Constructs column
systems and grade beam formwork formwork
formwork

C-8.07 Constructs stair C-8.08 Installs embedded C-8.09 Dismantles formwork

formwork reinforcements

Task C-9 C-9.01 Places concrete C-9.02 Facilitates curing of C-9.03 Performs basic
Installs concrete, cement-based and concrete concrete finishing
epoxy products
28%

C-9.04 Installs pre-cast C-9.05 Installs grout

components

D – Performs framing 20%

Task D-10 D-10.01 Installs engineered D-10.02 Constructs

Constructs floor systems floor systems dimensional lumber floor
29% framing

Task D-11 D-11.01 Constructs decks D-11.02 Installs deck

Constructs deck systems components
16%

Task D-12 D-12.01 Installs engineered D-12.02 Constructs

Constructs wall systems wall systems dimensional lumber wall
27% framing

Task D-13 D-13.01 Installs engineered D-13.02 Constructs roof and

Constructs roof and ceiling systems trusses ceiling framing
28%

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E – Performs exterior finishing 14%

Task E-14 E-14.01 Installs exterior E-14.02 Installs exterior doors E-14.03 Installs exterior
Installs exterior doors and windows jambs/frames windows
41%

E-14.04 Installs exterior door

and window hardware

Task E-15 E-15.01 Installs roofing E-15.02 Installs roof coverings

Installs roofing components
24%

Task E-16 E-16.01 Installs exterior wall E-16.02 Installs exterior wall
Installs exterior finishes components coverings
35%

F –Performs interior finishing 14%

Task F-17 F-17.01 Installs wallboard F-17.02 Applies compound to F-17.03 Installs panels, tiles
Applies wall and ceiling finishes walls and ceilings and solid wood finishes
17%

F-17.04 Installs suspended F-17.05 Installs demountable

ceilings wall systems

Task F-18 F-18.01 Installs underlayment F-18.02 Installs floor F-18.03 Installs access
Installs flooring coverings flooring
17%

Task F-19 F-19.01 Installs interior F-19.02 Installs interior doors F-19.03 Installs interior
Installs interior doors and windows jambs/frames windows
31%

F-19.04 Installs interior door

and window hardware

Task F-20 F-20.01 Fabricates finish F-20.02 Installs finish F-20.03 Constructs stairs
Constructs and installs finish components components and accessories
components and stairs
35%

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G – Performs renovations 10%

Task G-21 G-21.01 Removes existing G-21.02 Protects structure

Performs renovation-specific support material during renovations
activities
48%

Task G-22 G-22.01 Joins new to existing G-22.02 Changes existing

Performs renovation-specific construction structure during renovations
construction activities
52%

8 Red Seal Trade Profile - Carpenter