Carpenter at Oregon/Columbia Carpenters JATC
at Oregon/Columbia Carpenters JATC in Portland, OR
About This Program
The Oregon/Columbia Carpenters JATC sponsors a union carpenter apprenticeship in Portland, OR, serving apprentices across Oregon and the Columbia River region. This Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, affiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, provides one of the Pacific Northwest's premier pathways into the carpentry trade.
This four-year, time-based program includes 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on a wide range of commercial, residential, and public construction projects throughout the Portland metro area and surrounding region, gaining skills in framing, forming, finish carpentry, interior systems, and scaffold work. Classroom instruction addresses construction safety, blueprint reading, trade mathematics, and Oregon building codes.
Graduates earn journey-level carpenter status and full union membership, providing access to union-negotiated wages, health and retirement benefits, and a broad network of signatory contractors. Portland's dynamic construction environment makes this an excellent time to enter the trade.
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
Licensing in Oregon
Carpenters in Oregon are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
View full Oregonlicensing requirements →Reviews
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