Cabinetmaker

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Duties

Cabinetmakers build and repair custom or production-type fixtures and furniture made of wood or wood substitutes.

To build typical wood units such as commercial kitchen cabinets, 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.

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Working Conditions

Cabinetmakers work indoors, generally in a shop environment. They may be exposed to high noise levels, airborne sawdust, and chemicals from painting and stripping.

There is some risk of injury involved in working with high-speed woodworking machinery.

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Skills and Abilities

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:

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Employment and Advancement

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.

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Working in Alberta

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 and, upon successful completion, 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 Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.

A cabinetmaker who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.

Cabinetmakers who:

may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.

Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.

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Apprenticeship Training

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:

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.

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Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program

To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:

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Equivalency Program

To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:

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Qualification Certificate Program

To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, 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.

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