Carpenter at Twin Cities Carpenters JATC
at Twin Cities Carpenters JATC in Saint Paul, MN
About This Program
The Twin Cities Carpenters JATC sponsors a union-affiliated registered Carpenter apprenticeship program in Saint Paul, MN. As a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, this JATC offers the structured curriculum, union wages, and industry recognition that come with collectively bargained carpenter training in the Twin Cities metro area.
The program spans four years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training paired with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience in structural framing, concrete formwork, interior systems, and finish carpentry. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, jobsite safety, building codes, and construction math, giving apprentices a complete foundation in the trade.
Graduates earn journeyman carpenter status within the union, opening doors to stable, well-compensated careers across the Twin Cities' active construction market. Apprentices are paid throughout the program, with wages progressively increasing at each stage of training.
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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