Carpenter at North Florida Carpenters JATC
at North Florida Carpenters JATC in Jacksonville, FL
About This Program
North Florida Carpenters JATC sponsors this union carpenter apprenticeship based in Jacksonville, FL. This Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program provides paid, structured training for individuals entering the carpentry trade in North Florida and the surrounding region. Apprentices earn wages from the very beginning of the program while gaining experience with union contractors on real job sites.
Running 4 years in length, the program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work under experienced journey-level carpenters learning framing, concrete forming, finish carpentry, hardware installation, and interior systems. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, construction mathematics, Florida building codes, and OSHA safety standards.
Graduating apprentices earn journey-level carpenter status with union recognition throughout Florida and the broader Southeast. Jacksonville's growing construction market in commercial, industrial, and residential sectors provides strong employment prospects, and union membership through the JATC includes access to negotiated wages and comprehensive benefits packages.
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
Trade School
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