Carpenter at Southwest Carpenter & Affiliated Trades Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Southwest Carpenter & Affiliated Trades Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee in Albuquerque, NM

About This Program

The Southwest Carpenter and Affiliated Trades Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee offers a Carpenter apprenticeship in Albuquerque, NM. This employer-sponsored, non-union program provides a structured entry point into the carpentry trade for residents of New Mexico looking for a paid, skill-building career path.

The four-year, time-based program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work under journeymen carpenters on live construction projects while attending classroom sessions covering framing, forming, blueprint reading, construction safety, trade math, and finish carpentry techniques. Apprentices are compensated throughout their training.

Upon completion, graduates are recognized as journey-level carpenters, prepared to work across commercial and residential construction projects throughout New Mexico and the Southwest. Albuquerque's steady construction growth offers solid employment prospects for skilled carpenters entering the workforce.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$26

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

576

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

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.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Carpenter

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration4 years
Starting wage$14.50/hr
Journeyman wage$25.87/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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