Carpenter Apprentice

- thinking of becoming one?

Carpentry Apprenticeship

A carpentry apprenticeship is a popular choice for many people seeking to take up a trade apprenticeship and career.  

An apprentice carpenter - much like a bricklaying apprentice would primarily be involved in the building and construction industry.  

What do people look for in a carpentry apprenticeship?

Carpentry apprenticeships have gained popularity over the years partly due to their exposure on home improvement ‘lifestyle’ shows seen on TV.  However aside from the ‘pretty chippies’ you see on the tellie -  in the real, down-to-earth world of trade careers, an apprentice carpenter and an apprentice bricklayer are pretty much on par with one another.

Of course at the end of the day, that’s not really what either trade is about. A trade apprenticeship – whether it’s a carpentry apprenticeship or an apprenticeship in bricklaying, is about having a real ‘hands-on’ satisfying job role - with a solid career path laid out.

Apprentice Carpenter or Apprentice Bricklayer?

All things considered, in the building and construction industry, you’re actually more likely to secure a bricklaying apprenticeship over a carpentry apprenticeship.  

Why?  Simply because... there is more demand for brickies out there!

In fact, there is an extremely high demand for bricklayers in Australia. Meaning once you’ve successfully completed your bricklaying apprenticeship - chances are at the end of it, you’ll have also have a stable job in the building and construction industry. (For this reason, you could say the odds are totally stacked in a brickies favour.)

What’s more, you’ll also have the opportunity to ‘build’ your apprenticeship into bigger and better things.  A bricklaying apprenticeship is the building foundation for qualified bricklayers to advance themselves further into a rewarding career.  There are many people who started out as apprentice bricklayers and are now major players in the highly lucrative, building and construction industry. [Click apprenticeship success stories to find out more].

Carpentry apprenticeship versus bricklaying apprenticeship

Quick comparison:

1.    Is a carpentry apprenticeship less physically demanding than a bricklaying apprenticeship?  

Although people perceive bricklaying as a more physical form of work, in this respect, neither of these trade apprenticeships are really a ‘walk in the park’.  (So if you’re looking for a ‘sit down and slack-off’ type job - then a trade apprenticeship in either of these careers is probably not for you!)

2.    Between a carpentry apprenticeship and a bricklaying apprenticeship which one will allow me to spend more time outdoors?

As bricklayers tend to be involved a lot more in the exterior facades of a building, they generally get to enjoy the benefits of an open air, outdoor ‘work lifestyle’ more than carpenters do.

3.    I’d like the opportunity to build myself a career as a professional builder.  Is starting out as a carpenter apprentice the only way to achieve this?

Far from it!  In fact starting out on a well paved path - with a bricklaying apprenticeship, can be the first stepping stone to a lucrative career as a building and construction boss. So if you’re interested in a rewarding and satisfying career option - pursuing a bricklaying apprenticeship, is an ideal place to begin.

4.    I like working with my hands and seeing the results of my work.  From this sense, will being a bricklayer apprentice - or a carpenter apprentice; give me more satisfaction?

Both these trade apprenticeship careers are hands-on; but because bricklaying is less reliant on creating things with tools, it involves a more ‘hand crafted’ approach.  Plus, a bricklayer’s finished work is visible for all to see (not excluding of course – to the one who did it!)  So from this perspective too, bricklaying creates an added ‘visual satisfaction’ that most trade careers like carpentry, just can’t compete with.

5.    Do carpentry apprenticeships and bricklaying apprenticeships receive an equal amount of support in terms of funding and development?

There is currently a standard government subsidy of $4000 provided to employers of new apprentices in traditional trade industries like carpentry and bricklaying.  Until the end of February 2010 there is also an additional $3350 in support being provided ($7350 in total).

Of added interest is that the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF) provides an extra $6000 to those bricklayers who employ new bricklaying apprentices on top of the government subsidy (a total of $13350).  This makes it the only trade industry support body doing this for its apprentices - and ensures a more stable and secure training ground for bricklaying apprentices, when compared to other trade apprenticeships.

ABBTF also provide guidance and support in many other ways for any new or aspiring bricklayer apprentices throughout the term of the apprenticeship.  By doing so, they maximise the apprentice’s chance of obtaining stable work - and building a stable career.

Call 1300 664 496 - and discover how becoming an apprentice bricklayer can lead to a fulfilling career path in the building and construction industry.  

If you’re still undecided about whether you want to become an apprentice carpenter and enter a carpentry apprenticeship – it won’t hurt to check out other viable options available to you first.  

Feel free to contact ABBTF today – we’d be happy to talk to you and see which hands-on apprenticeship – a bricklaying apprenticeship or a carpentry apprenticeship, is the right choice for you.