Carpenter at Colorado Carpenters & Affiliated Trades JATC
at Colorado Carpenters & Affiliated Trades JATC in Denver, CO
About This Program
Colorado Carpenters & Affiliated Trades JATC sponsors this union carpenter apprenticeship in Denver, CO. As a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, it combines employer-based field training with the standards and support of the union, giving apprentices a strong foundation in the carpentry trade across Colorado's growing construction sector. Apprentices are paid from day one of the program.
The program is 4 years in length and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain skills in framing, concrete forming, finish carpentry, interior systems, and specialty installations. Classroom and lab coursework covers construction mathematics, blueprint reading, Colorado building codes, and OSHA safety requirements.
Completing the program earns graduates journey-level carpenter status with union credentials. Denver's ongoing commercial and residential construction boom creates strong demand for skilled carpenters, and union membership through the JATC provides access to collectively bargained wages, health coverage, and retirement benefits.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$26
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
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.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Carpenter
Apprenticeship
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