Carpenter at North Texas Carpenters & Millwrights JATC
at North Texas Carpenters & Millwrights JATC in Arlington, TX
About This Program
The North Texas Carpenters and Millwrights JATC sponsors this union carpenter apprenticeship in Arlington, Texas. This Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee program serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, offering apprentices a comprehensive union-backed entry into the carpentry trade with pay from day one.
The program runs four years and combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience in framing, concrete formwork, finish carpentry, and structural work across commercial and industrial job sites throughout North Texas. Technical classes cover blueprint reading, construction mathematics, building codes, OSHA safety standards, and carpentry tools and materials.
Completing the program leads to journeyman carpenter status and a Department of Labor Certificate of Completion. The JATC's union structure provides apprentices with steadily increasing wages across the four years and access to health and retirement benefits, making this an appealing long-term career investment in the growing North Texas construction market.
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.
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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