Carpentry primarily involves building materials being cut, shaped and installed during a construction project. However, you might understandably be uncertain what differentiates carpentry from joinery.
Carpentry and joinery are similar and associated fields, to the extent that here at YTA, we allow you to learn skills associated with both trades as part of a single course. We also give you the opportunity to refine your skills by taking on successive, increasingly advanced courses.
The key differences between carpentry and joinery
Joinery is its own practice, whereby wood is used to create a range of fixtures, fittings and other elements for eventual use in a home or office. Carpenters, meanwhile, take joiner-created wooden objects and install them on a construction site where a whole new building is taking shape.
One can therefore regard joinery and carpentry as strongly complementary areas of work. A joiner typically produces wooden ornamental pieces like doors and bookcases, while a carpenter will commonly work on expanses like floors and roofs.
How can you work towards becoming a carpenter?
If a carpentry career interests you, it isn’t just the basic entry requirements that you should carefully consider, but also whether this area of work is truly suited to you. If, for instance, you have already worked successfully on-site as a joiner’s ‘mate’ or labourer, you could be well-placed to move into professional carpentry.
Your chances of securing work in carpentry may strongly depend on your base of relevant knowledge and practical skills. Taking a course in carpentry could therefore enable you to prepare for such a line of work while also maximising the attractiveness and relevance of your CV.
Indeed, to work on a building site, you will require a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card – and to obtain that, you could take your pick from our current carpentry & joinery NVQ Level 2 courses. We offer a fast track assessment route that could allow you to get qualified quickly.
Nonetheless, whichever of our courses interest you, we urge you to carefully read the relevant information on our site before proceeding. It’s vital to ensure you are looking at the right course – and by calling our Bradford office on 01274 682199, you can receive further guidance as to which route could be most advantageous for you.