Carpenter at Central South Carpenters & Millwrights Training Trust Fund

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Central South Carpenters & Millwrights Training Trust Fund in Metairie, LA

About This Program

The Central South Carpenters & Millwrights Training Trust Fund offers a registered Carpenter Apprenticeship program based in Metairie, LA, in the greater New Orleans metro area. This employer-sponsored program provides a paid training pathway for aspiring carpenters in southeast Louisiana, backed by a trust fund with significant regional experience in construction workforce development.

The four-year program is built on 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn framing, concrete formwork, finish carpentry, safety regulations, and blueprint reading through a curriculum that integrates classroom learning with practical field experience.

Graduates complete the program as journey-level carpenters equipped for work in New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. Southeast Louisiana's construction industry, driven by infrastructure investment, commercial growth, and ongoing recovery and development projects, offers strong employment opportunities for skilled carpentry professionals.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$26

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

576

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.

Carpenter Career Outlook

National Median

$25.87/hr

~$53,809.6/yr

Apprentice Start

$14.5/hr

Earn while you learn

Job Outlook

Carpenter employment is projected to grow in line with construction activity. Residential building, commercial renovation, and infrastructure projects all drive demand. Carpenters with diverse skills across framing, finishing, and concrete work have the strongest prospects. The trade continues to face a shortage of younger workers, creating opportunities for new entrants.

What to Expect as a Carpenter Apprentice

Duration

4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction

On-the-Job Training

~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)

Classroom Instruction

576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)

Paid Training

You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress

Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Carpenter

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration4 years
Starting wage$14.50/hr
Journeyman wage$25.87/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

See something wrong? Help us improve this page.