Location:

St. Joseph High School

Career Opportunities Include:

· Entry Level Carpenter
· Finisher
· Furniture Designer
· Furniture Restorer
· Self-Employed Cabinet Maker

GRADES: 11-12

May be taken more than one year for credit.

Class Description

This course is designed for those students who have a serious desire to increase their skills in woodworking. Students will design their project using a computer-aided drafting program and organize project information on a computer-generated spreadsheet. Much attention will be given to good design, the use of fine woods, and the development and appreciation of excellent craftsmanship in construction and finishing.

Content Areas

· Safety Procedures
· Hand Tool Proficiency
· Power Tool Operation
· Woodworking Machine Proficiency
· Planning, Design, and Layout
· Construction and Assembly

Career Outlook

Despite the development of sophisticated plastics and other materials, the demand for wood products continues unabated. Helping to meet this demand are woodworkers. Woodworkers are found in industries that produce wood, such as sawmills and plywood mills; in industries that use wood to produce furniture, kitchen cabinets, musical instruments, and other fabricated wood products; or in small shops that make architectural woodwork, furniture, and many other specialty items.

Employment of woodworkers is expected to grow more slowly than average through the year 2012. Little or no growth is expected among woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders.

Median hourly earnings of cabinet makers and bench carpenters were $11.54 in 2002.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of LaborStatistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2004-2005Edition. http://bls.gov/oco/