Career Advice (Carpenter/Joiner/Cabinet Maker)

My City and Guilds say Carpenter and Joiner, down here (South of Watford) a joiner makes joinery (windows, doors etc) and a carpenter fits them and cuts roofs etc. I would go for carpentry as you see what all the other trades do and how they do it, in addition to this although you do need a lot of kit you don't need £20k plus of static machinery and the health and safety problems that go with it. I would say that more than 90% of site agents were originally chippies as they are usually on a job for the longest time so when you are fed up with being a "do'er" you can become a "tell'er".

But coming from IT you may be used to being indoors in the warmish and not too good with heights, the rain, the frost or the snow so maybe a joinery life would suit you?

"Lights touch paper and retires"

 

You will also need to invest in 'Thermal underwear'.

 

MJohnson, the way to be most future proofed is to be bloody good at your job. It's true that automation will make a big impact upon industry and the building trade is no exception. I've been to demonstrations where paving has been laid by machinery and cnc woodworking machinery has cut beautiful shapes and designs out of wood. But you know in all my experience I never met or heard of a machine that could motivate a bunch of chippies on a wet November day to get up the rig and fit a roof.

It seems to me that you possess a unique skillset that many of us don't. The ability to work with computers. I would be looking at learning about cnc controlled routers and cutters. I would be looking at other areas like programme writing as they are applied in computer aided manufacture. Afraid it won't get you out on site but in the Winter a nice warm factory might be preferable.

Good luck

 

I wouldn't worry to much about about the title but whether you want to do site work, domestic or bench joinery, for site work you need tickets.

 

What ever you start out to be, you will undoubtedly be doing something else in a few years time.

 

Carpenters generally fix things in place with screws, nails etc whereas joiners use joints -dovetail, mortice and tenon etc.

But being good at your job like one of the other OPs says is one of the best ways to make sure you stay in demand. Also if site work does go the way of machines, there's always private residential work.

 

It depends in which part of the country you are, as to whether you are called a Carpenter or a Joiner.

 

Really? I thought they were two different things....obviously not totally different as they both involve working with wood

 

There's a twist to this.

When the news article surfaced recently about machines steadily taking jobs away I remarked to my son that there won't be a machine that can do what I do thankfully so I needn't worry (I work in the private residential sector as suggested earlier in this thread as a fall back option).
"What about your clients who lose their jobs to machines?" he replied.

Hmmm.......

 

Hope you grounded him for a week lol

 

I ought to do the reverse. He spends all his time at home at the moment perfecting his rigour mortis (and making smart observations).

 

I know, I'm only messing. Is he off sick atm?

 

Looking for work at present and making some headway at last. He has mental health issues and low self esteem which makes the whole process terrifying for him. His last job was a two year temp job. He saved his money pretty thoroughly so doesn't actually 'need' the money at present which lessens his resolve even further - at least until my wife unleashes another of her motivational speeches. I just think it's a little unfair that they're aimed at me not him.....

 

Good to hear he's making progress on the job front. I can relate to the mental health issues and low self esteem-think they go hand in hand.

My mum does the same thing-issues advice aimed at my brother, to me.

 

I fix things with screws, pins, bolts, glue, rivnuts, rivets, staples, tape, corrugated fastners and mortice and tenon. The only time I use nails are for fixing ply to steel.
I call myself a carpenter because I make things primarily out of wood, what anybody else chooses to call me is up to them.

 

Just out of interest, when would you use rivets? Is there a rule of thumb? I've never used them- I'm neither a carpenter nor a joiner how long have you been a carpenter?

 

It depends what material you are joining to what, they are generaly used for joining two thin sheets together.

 

Ah ok. Cheers