Cabinetmaking

Apprenticeships: A Guide for Students in Cabinetmaking School

August 14, 2018

cabinetmaking school
Graduates emerge from training courses full of enthusiasm and motivation as they start out their new career, so it’s important to choose a role where you can hit the ground running. Apprenticeships are a common starting point for trades experts, including cabinetmaking professionals, and are an excellent way of developing skills and making contacts early in a career.

The 2015 National Apprenticeship Survey found that almost four out of every five apprentices in Canada were involved in Red Seal trades, such as carpentry, plumbing or auto mechanics. The benefits of an apprenticeship are laid bare when you look at some of the differences between those who completed and discontinued their terms. More ‘completers’ secured a permanent job, while they also earned $10,000 more than ‘discontinuers’ on the job.

It’s a valuable learning resource, so here’s what you should keep in mind while searching for a cabinetmaking apprenticeship.

Generate Apprenticeship Opportunities During Cabinetmaking Courses
Like so many careers, it helps if you have built up a broad professional network which can open up potential job opportunities, including apprenticeships. A cabinetmaking school, such as North American Trade Schools, can help you along the way because of their established relationships with industry employers. Many of these recruiters are so confident in the quality of graduates that they contact top schools before posting jobs in public.

Apprenticeship opportunities are also posted on popular job websites, such as Indeed or Monster, so look out for these ads regularly so you don’t miss out on the best opportunities. Get your resume up to scratch by outlining your latest qualifications and training experience, and maintain a professional online presence.

cabinetmaking coursesDevelop the skills learned at cabinetmaking school

Helpful Tips for Excelling in a Cabinetmaking Apprenticeship
Once the apprenticeship has been secured, avoid getting complacent. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop your skills, so acquire as much knowledge as possible from your supervisor or manager. Try and organize regular meetings with them to assess necessary areas of improvement or types of work which you would like to develop in the near future. Set yourself weekly and monthly goals and keep a close eye on your achievements as time goes by.

Apprenticeships are an excellent way of building industry contacts and opening up full-time work opportunities. If you’ve proven your ability to your supervisor, they are much more likely to come back to you if a vacancy arises. Even if these opportunities don’t appear before the end of the apprenticeship, maintain an ongoing dialogue with your supervisor and end your term on good terms.

Apprenticeships Develop Crucial Skills in a Paid Work Environment
The best cabinetmaking courses develop a broad range of industry specific skills, including joint trimming and fitting, interpretation of drawings and cabinet installation. Apprenticeships offer graduates a great opportunity to adapt these skills to a professional setting while also getting paid. They also get a closer insight into the business environment, such as a cabinetmaker’s interactions with clients about plans or bills.

An apprenticeship, supplemented with cabinetmaking qualifications, makes any graduate even more employable in fields including woodworking, window door fabrication, or cabinet manufacturing and installation. Those working in a professional environment also have the opportunity to build contacts with other tradespeople, such as plumbers and electricians, who may be working on a job where a cabinetmaker is also needed. If they know your name, they’re much more likely to recommend you!

construction careersMake important industry contacts during a cabinetmaking apprenticeship

Open the door to lots of interesting construction careers.

Find out more about our Cabinetmaking Training Diploma Program at North American Trade Schools.

Visit Our Blog Directory