How Do I Become A Carpenter or Cabinetmaker?
In British Columbia, trade certification for carpenters and cabinetmakers is available, but not mandatory.
Completion of secondary school is usually required and you can find employment as a carpenter or cabinetmaker without formal training. However, most employers prefer to hire applicants who have completed a four year apprenticeship program and gained certification through SkilledTradesBC.
Apprenticeship involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified tradesperson, called a journeyperson.
To obtain a Certificate of Qualification as a carpenter or cabinetmaker, you also write the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work in this trade anywhere in Canada.
If you have significant work experience in the trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Being approved to challenge means that if you meet the criteria for your trade, you will not be required to go through the full program. Instead, you are allowed to become certified by writing and passing the final exam(s).
For more information about apprenticeship programs and certification see: