Carpenter at Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters JATF-Merrillville
at Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters JATF-Merrillville in Merrillville, IN
About This Program
The Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters JATF-Merrillville sponsors a registered Carpenter Apprenticeship program in Merrillville, IN. Situated in northwest Indiana near the Chicago metro area, this employer-sponsored program connects apprentices with an active construction market while they build skills and earn wages over four years.
The program includes 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices progress through training in structural framing, concrete formwork, finish carpentry, jobsite safety, and blueprint reading. The curriculum is designed to build technical competency steadily, with classroom instruction supporting the practical skills developed in the field.
Graduates earn journey-level carpenter status recognized across Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Northwest Indiana's proximity to Chicago's construction economy gives Merrillville-based graduates additional employment reach, and the council's multi-state network further expands long-term career possibilities.
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.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Carpenter
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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