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Cabinetmaker |
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Technical Training Registration for this trade begins on May 18, 2012! Visit the Technical Training Centre to review the Class Schedule and registration details.
Cabinetmakers build and repair custom or production-type fixtures and furniture made of wood or wood substitutes.
To build typical wood units such as cabinets and custom made products, cabinetmakers:
Cabinetmakers produce custom-made products. They:
In large cabinet shops furnished with hi-tech computer-controlled equipment, cabinetmakers may specialize only in one or two of the functions listed.
Some cabinet shops may specialize in a select number of functions listed above.
Cabinetmakers work indoors, generally in a shop environment. They may be exposed to high noise levels, airborne sawdust, and chemicals from painting and stripping. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required.
There is some risk of injury involved in working with woodworking machinery.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy creating things with their hands, developing specialized skills and working with a high degree of accuracy.
To be successful in their trade, cabinetmakers need:
Cabinetmakers are employed in custom shops or are self-employed. Employment prospects for cabinetmakers change with changing economic conditions.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $19 to $28 an hour plus benefits.
Many cabinetmakers stay in the trade until they retire. They may set up their own shops or advance to supervisory positions.
To work as a Cabinetmaker in Alberta, a person must:
Cabinetmakers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training. Upon successful completion, they are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A cabinetmaker who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A cabinetmaker who holds a valid recognized credential that does not have a Red Seal may apply for:
Cabinetmakers who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Qualification Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a valid recognized credential are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a cabinetmaker is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1360 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a Cabinetmaker in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice cabinetmakers earn at least 55 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 percent in the second, 75 percent in the third, and 85 percent in the fourth year.
- apprentices are required to provide their own tools
- select an educational institution that offers training for Cabinetmaker apprentices, and a time to attend training
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who holds a valid recognized credential, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require Alberta documentation as proof that the holder is allowed to work in the trade or that the holder's credential is recognized.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on a recognized credential, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the review of the application, the assessment and confirmation of the applicant's work experience hours/months, the administration of the applicant’s demonstration of competency, and one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
