Basic Principles
This lesson will go over all the prerequisites required to start an apprenticeship to become a 403A Carpenter. It will outline the different forms of on-the-job and in-class education necessary, as well as the process for obtaining official certification. It will also tell you a little more about us, Snyder Construction.
About Snyder Construction
Snyder Construction is unique in its quality and services. Our company has been in business since 1982 and incorporated since August 8th,1988. Comprised of talented and dedicated individuals, Snyder Construction is a company with professionalism.
Frank Snyder started Snyder Construction in 1982 after graduating from the Civil Engineering program at the University of Waterloo. Due to his past experience and interest in construction, he began a general contracting company.
Jane Snyder joined the company in 1990 with a background in Economics, Marketing Nutrition & Safety. The family business is almost 40 years in operation. The addition of Alex Snyder, a graduate of Financial Management Accounting, and Philip Snyder, an Engineering graduate, has set the stage for growth in the future decades.
A variety of factors contributed to the growth of the company: diligence, technological improvements, industry know-how, and employee strength, advanced the volume of business and the client-base.
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784437 Ont. Inc. o/a Snyder Construction
920 Brawley Road West, Ashburn, ON L0B 1A0
Ph: 905-655-5000 Fax: 905-655-5594
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What does a General Carpenter do?
There is a vast selection of tasks that a fully certified 403A Carpenter must know how to complete correctly and safely. Such tasks could include:
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Establishes building procedures and prepares work sites
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Lays out, constructs, and installs formwork and concrete foundations
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Frames floors, walls, ceilings, and roofs
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Finishes interiors and exteriors
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Constructs heavy framing
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Builds stairs, posts, and handrails
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Lays out, constructs, and installs door and window systems
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Performs renovations
How does someone become a carpenter?
In order to start the process of becoming a Carpenter in Ontario, one must first enter into an apprenticeship.
In order to start an apprenticeship, there must be a minimum completed education of Grade 10 or higher. Secondly, there must be an employer and qualified trainer ready to take on an apprentice.
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Once the apprenticeship has started, the apprentice must complete the following:
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720 hours of in-school training
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6,480 hours of on-the-job training/work experience
In-Class Training
There are three (3) levels of theoretical training that one must complete in-classroom which cover a variety of subjects. Each duration of these levels can be taken in
8-week blocks.
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Level One: Basic
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Level Two: Intermediate
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Level Three: Advanced
Level One
Basic level course titles:
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Safety, Materials, and Tools
Plans, Specifications, and Building codes
Residential - Estimating, Calculation & Layout 1
Welding
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Level Two
Intermediate level course titles:
Residential Construction
Plans, Specifications & Codes 2
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Estimating, Calculation & Layout 2
Level Three
Advanced level course titles:
ICI Construction
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Plans, Specifications & Codes 3
Estimating, Calculation & Layout 3
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Protect Self
& Others
Application of safety legislation.
Operation and safe use of ladders.
Knowledge and application of fire safety practices.
Operation of rigging equipment and swing stages.
Use of powered elevated work platforms/spiders/bosun chairs
Operating Tools
& Equipment
Use of hand tools.
Use of portable and stationary power tools.
Design and implementation of fabricated and pre-fabricated jigs and templates.
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Establishing
Building Procedures
Understand and perform trade-related calculations.
Prepare and use plans/sketches and other trade-related written/spoken information.
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Communicate effectively with colleagues and manage worksite effectively.
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Preparing Site
For Building
Understand, prepare, and install pilings and caissons for the worksite.
Installing necessary protection and stabilization materials.
Prepare the ground for any wood foundation and slab on grade.
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Executing Form Work
This involves the layout, construction, and installation of the following forms...
Embedded steelwork.
Footing.
Forms for columns, piers, and capitals.
Wall forms.
Templates to receive dowels and anchor bolts.
Beam and Girder forms.
Shoring.
Suspended slab forms.
Slab-on-grade.
Stair forms.
Ramps and Runway forms.
Slip forms.
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Various moveable wall form systems.
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Forms to encase structural steel.
Insulated Concrete forms.
Strip Concrete forms (and perform slump test).
Store forms.
Grout forms.
Pre-cast systems and pre-stressed concrete.
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etc.
In addition to the previously listed skillsets, there are many more that will be taught and test your ability to complete correctly on the job.
The Red Seal Program
This is a nationally recognized form of certification for skilled trades workers in Canada, formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.
Ontario recognizes a “Carpenter” certification once all the requirements outlined in an apprenticeship are complete and the Red Seal examination has been successfully passed. Although the Red Seal certification is provincial/territorial, it states that the tradesperson has demonstrated a national standard of the trade.
Red Seal Endorsement (RSE)
Since 2015, the CCDA has used this endorsement as official recognition for a qualified skilled journeyperson. Accompanying this title is a trade certificate that should be shown as proof of validation.
Who determines endorsements & certifications?
There is a voluntary intergovernmental partnership shared with the provinces and territories in Canada called the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeships (CCDA). With support from the federal government, they manage the overall training and certifications for the Red Seal program. There is a member on the council for every province/territory and while the entire council does not have regulatory powers regarding training and certification, each member holds that power for their respective province/territory.
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establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams
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assessing experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario
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issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams
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renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades
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maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades
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conducting research in relation to apprenticeship and the trades
Contact Information
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Telephone: 647-847-3000
Toll-free number (Ontario only): 1-855-299-0028
Fax: 647-348-5002
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday,
8:30am – 5:00pm EST
Have any previous experience?
If you have any form of past experience in carpentry from another province or Canadian Forces (CF) trade qualifications, then you may be eligible for a Trade Equivalency Assessment to determine which of these skills are transferable.
