Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship

The 34-week WIST Pre-Apprenticeship Carpenter General certificate program will equip you to enter the trade of general carpentry with the basic skills required to secure a position as an apprentice, and to work safely and successfully in the industry. The curriculum provides basic-level apprentice training and additional skills designed to increase general level knowledge about the construction and renovation industry. In addition, the program incorporates components not found in the basic-level training, such as job search and communication skills, training in computer literacy and various computer applications.

Admission Requirements

• Gr. 12 OSSD, GED, CAEC or assessed equivalent.
• Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Refugee.
• A resident of, and able to work in Ontario.
• 16 years of age or older.
• Must meet a gross household low-income cutoff.

What You’ll Learn

• Identify, select and use hand and power tools.
• Identify types of wood and describe the properties of lumber.
• Identify and apply joints and fasteners.
• Develop knowledge and skills in safe rigging practices.
• Interpret the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Outline the history, organization and current trends related to the carpentry trade.
• Identify material used in residential and commercial construction.
• Interpret the Ontario Building Code.
• Interpret basic blueprint drawings and prepare free-hand sketches.
• Apply basic mathematics to solve trade-related problems.
• Apply basic principles of construction layout.
• Perform welding, cutting and brazing operations with standard oxy-acetylene and electric arc welding equipment.
• Describe materials and methods used to complete the interior and exterior of residential and light commercial buildings.
• Apply the basics of computer operating systems, file management, Microsoft Word and Excel toward the creation of simple documents and spreadsheets.
• Plan job-search strategies, develop interview skills and apply effective written and interpersonal communication skills.