Construction Cluster

Carpentry

About This Program

Carpentry is one of the oldest and most respected professions. In this program, students begin with small woodworking projects to learn how to use basic tools and gain experience, as well as learning different concepts of building. Students learn measuring, cutting, fastening, and hand/power tool use. All students will be certified in the 10-Hour OSHA CareerSafe program. Licenses that may be obtained through the Carpentry program include: Hilti and Ramset Powder Actuated Tool Licenses, ICC Certification for Residential Building Codes, and One-Year Creditable Service towards the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) work requirements. See below for full course description.

A student uses a rotary handsaw to cut wood.

Career Paths

  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Framer
  • Drywaller
  • Self Employment
  • Union Carpenter
  • General Contractor
  • Architect
  • Project Manager
  • Engineer
  • Building Inspector
  • Military

Certifications

  • OSHA 10 Hour Construction
  • HILTI Power Actuation
  • RAMSET Certification
  • CPR First Aid Certification
  • 1-year credit toward union apprenticeship program
  • 1-year credit toward MA State Construction License
  • Industry Partnerships 
  • Massachusetts Carpenter’s Union
  • National Association of Remodeling Contractors
  • SkillsUSA

Articulation Agreements

  • North Shore Community College
  • Wentworth Institute of Technology
  • Statewide articulation agreement available for Carpentry

Advisory Committee Members

  • Joseph Alden
  • John Sr. Alden
  • John Jr. Alden
  • Susan Bagley-Koyle
  • Robert Carbone, U.S. Department of Labor
  • Brian Connearney, New England Carpenters Training Fund
  • Juan Juan
  • Lydia Koyle
  • Kody Paszkowski
  • Danielle Skilling, Gilbane Building Company
  • Albert Talarico, City of Peabody
  • Bob Williams, Star ConstructionItem 1

Meet the Carpentry Teachers

Brian Borders

Mr. Brian Borders

Carpentry Teacher
BBorders@essextech.net

Robert Conard

Mr. Robert Conard

Carpentry Teacher
RConard@essextech.net

Roy Silva

Mr. Roy Silva

Carpentry Teacher
RSilva@essextech.net

Huw Price

Mr. Huw Price

Carpentry Teacher
HPrice@essextech.net

Carpentry Course Descriptions

Course NumberNameCreditGrade Level
cp101Carpentry Exploratory 91.0Grade 9
cp103Carpentry 910.0Grade 9
cp200House Carpentry 1016.0Grade 10
cp201Carpentry Theory 104.0Grade 10
cp300House Carpentry 1120.0Grade 11
cp301Carpentry Theory 114.0Grade 11
cp305Carpentry Cooperative Education 1112.0Grade 11
pcn301CTE Pathway: STEM for Construction2.0Grade 11
pcn302CTE Pathway: Understanding Specifications & Blueprints2.0Grade 11
cp400House Carpentry 1220.0Grade 12
cp401Carpentry Theory 124.0Grade 12
cp405Carpentry Cooperative Education 1224.0Grade 12
pcn401CTE Pathway: Construction Management2.0Grade 12
pcn402CTE Pathway: Renewable Energy in Construction2.0Grade 12
Carpentry Exploratory 9 

Course # cp101 | Credit: 1
This five-day cycle exploratory course provides grade 9 students with the basic knowledge and skill level used in carpentry. Students receive instruction in personal and career program safety, tool usage, measuring, wood cutting, sanding, and fastening through the construction of a small project. Students receive instruction through a combination of presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on performance. 

House Carpentry 9 

Course # cp101 | Credits: 10
This semester-based course introduces grade 9 students to the construction industry through residential carpentry. In addition to a review of personal, career program, and tool safety, hand-tool and power-tool instructions are taught and put into practice through related career program projects. Students acquire carpentry knowledge and skills and learn new carpentry concepts intended to strengthen their trade-related academics. 

House Carpentry 10 

Course # cp200 | Credits: 16
This full-year course focuses on residential construction where students learn flooring systems, framing, exterior walls, windows, doors, ceiling, and roof. In addition, interior construction and finishes are introduced. Students continue to use hand and power tools after personal, career program, and tool safety are reviewed. 

Carpentry Theory 10 

Course # cp201 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course is designed to introduce students to the building trade from codes through framing and finish. Students become familiar with carpentry tools and equipment as well as with concepts and processes involved in carpentry. Special emphasis is placed on personal safety, career program safety, and tool safety. 

House Carpentry 11 

Course # cp300 | Credits: 20
This full-year course provides students with an understanding of the building trades through work-site safety, framing, and finishing. Students will continue to use carpentry tools and instruments as well as with the processes involved in carpentry through on-site and off-site projects. This course introduces students to estimating and state and local building codes. 

Carpentry Theory 11 

Course # cp301 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course is designed to introduce students to up-to-date information on building materials and techniques. Detailed coverage of all aspects of light framing construction, including site lay-out, foundation forming, sheathing, roofing, windows and doors, exterior finish, interior walls, floor and ceiling. Special emphasis is placed on the use of modern tools, materials and prefabricated components. 

Carpentry Cooperative Education 11 

Course # cp305 | Credits: 12
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only. 

House Carpentry 12 

Course # cp400 | Credits: 20
This full-year course provides students with advanced knowledge of the practical application of framing and finishing for on-campus and off-campus projects. Emphasis is on giving students the technical knowledge and experiences to prepare them for employment in the carpentry field. 

Carpentry Theory 12 

Course # cp401 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course is designed to strengthen student understanding of advanced framing techniques, exterior and interior trim along with local, state, and international residential codes. Finally, students will learn about the stretch code part of Strand 1 Part 2K.01 for energy efficient systems related to the carpentry frameworks. 

Carpentry Cooperative Education 12 

Course # cp405 | Credits: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a vocational-technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle.

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