Carpentry

Carpentry Video Frame

Degrees and Certificates

Why Choose This Program

The building construction industry is one of the largest industries in America today. With an increasing population and need for more housing, well-trained carpenters are in demand in the areas of urban redevelopment; commercial and industrial buildings; and facilities to improve the environment. If you’d like to be a part of a high-demand career path, carpentry is right for you.

With a Carpentry degree from SCTCC, graduates put their skills to work in residential construction, light and heavy commercial construction, highway and heavy bridgework, cabinetry and millwork. Students who graduate from our Carpentry program are prepared to enter the construction industry as skilled tradespeople.

Placement rate from self-reported data of employment in field of study up to one year post graduation.

100
%
2021 Placement
$
24
Central MN Median Wage

Wage data is from Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

From Degree to Career

When you choose the Carpentry program at SCTCC, you’ll gain skills that will directly transfer to the workplace. There are several employers that are ready to hire carpenters including Alpine Cabinets, Werschay Homes, ACAB Custom Woodworking, and more.

With a degree from SCTCC, students will graduate with a variety of skills like utilizing critical thinking skills and applying mathematics to solving to solve construction problems. Our graduates from the Carpentry program leave SCTCC prepared for the workforce.

We teach students how to select appropriate construction techniques and determine the best for each situation. Students will even be able to select the appropriate technology and procedures to complete assigned tasks. With a degree from SCTCC, graduates also understand the role of the construction industry and how it relates to the social and economic future.

To ensure they are ready for their careers, students can demonstrate the ability to read and interpret blueprints and codes and demonstrate safe working habits. Our students have knowledge of building codes and recognize the importance of code compliance. At SCTCC, we even teach students the ability to schedule, plan, and manage time effectively to ensure they can succeed in their jobs.

Quick Glance

  • Select appropriate Construction Techniques and determine the best for each situation.
  • Use critical thinking skills and apply mathematics to solve construction problems.
  • Select appropriate technology and procedures to complete assigned task.
  • Understand the role of the Construction industry and how it relates to the social and economic future.
  • Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret blueprints and codes.
  • Have knowledge of building codes and recognizes the importance of code compliance.
  • Demonstrate safe working habits.
  • Possess the ability to schedule, plan, and manage time effectively.

Graduates enter the trade as the equivalent to advanced apprentices. There is employment in the areas of residential, light and heavy commercial, highway and heavy bridgework, cabinetry, and millwork.

There are many specific career options for carpenters. Students have options from focused employment like ceiling tile installer, drywall applicators, building inspectors, customer service representatives for building and hardware supply companies, and even lumber yard manager trainees. Students who graduate from our Carpentry program have the ability to choose how they want to apply their skills.

Our graduates have found employment opportunities in a variety of places. SCTCC students have worked with contractors, the government, lumber yards, hardware supply companies, and even cabinet production. There are so many opportunities for our graduates because we teach them highly transferable skills.

A day in the life of an SCTCC graduate often looks like working with hardware supply companies and utilizing their time management skills. Some students work in lumber yards and use their critical thinking skills to decide the best route of action every day.

Quick Glance

  • Contractors
  • Government
  • Lumber yards
  • Hardware supply
  • Cabinet production

Graduates from our Carpentry program have worked with a variety of well-known employers like Tradesmen International, Alpine Cabinets, and Decks by Design. You can even find SCTCC graduates working with Werschay Homes, ACAB Custom Woodworking, Faber Building and Supplies, Ron’s Cabinets, and Kitschler Wood Products. The career options for our students are endless, so you can find the path right for you.

Quick Glance

  • Decks By Design
  • Tradesmen International 
  • Alpine Cabinets 
  • Werschay Homes 
  • ACAB Custom Woodworking 
  • Faber Building & Supplies
  • Ron's Cabinets 
  • Tischler Wood Products
carpentry students working
carpentry students building a house
small building built by students
carpentry student
carpentry students working outside

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Are you ready to learn more about the Accounting program and being a student at SCTCC? Contact our instructors directly or join us for a Business Info Session to meet with instructors and Admissions representatives to get started.

Connect with the SCTCC Admissions team:

  • Call us at 320-308-5089
  • Email us at enroll@sctcc.edu
  • On campus Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Meet the Admissions Staff.


Donut at Night

Visit SCTCC

carpentry students busy at work

Virtual Lab Tour

Paying for College

Students choose SCTCC for a lot of reasons, but saving money is one reason we hear from almost every student at SCTCC. We’ve got a breakdown of the costs for the program, along with information on financial aid and scholarships.

Students in the SCTCC Carpentry program can expect to pay around $1800 for materials and books in addition to tuition and fees.

The following scholarships are available for Carpentry students only:

  • Carpentry Contractors
  • Joshua Kise Memorial
  • SCTCC Faculty & Staff Funded

Check out SCTCC Scholarships - apply once and be considered for all eligible scholarships.

Current Students

Current Carpentry students - this is your place for information.

If you are interested in our Carpentry program at SCTCC, contact us for more information. We are happy to answer any questions you have.

Patrick Dehler
Phone: (320) 308-6024
Email: pdehler@sctcc.edu

Students in our Carpentry program can join Central Minnesota Builders Association (CMBA). CMBA is a nonprofit local trade association affiliated with the Builders Association of MN and the National Association of Home Builders.

SCTCC Student Clubs

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A small, wooden home on wheels. Made by carpentry students at SCTCC