Amid a national housing shortage and expensive real estate, it’s no surprise that builders are having trouble finding skilled carpenters. But the reasons behind the shortage are more complex than simple supply and demand. For generations, young people have been encouraged to prioritize college over work in the trades—stigmatizing the profession and decimating the programs that once introduced teenagers to carpentry skills. As a result, many people don’t pick up a tool belt at all.
To fill the gap, some programs have started to reintroduce high school students to construction and offer vocational training. But even if these programs are successful, it will take immense work to reverse the long-standing cultural trends that have made America’s carpenter shortage a reality.
The Work of a Carpenter
Carpenters build, repair and install structures and fixtures that are made from wood or wood substitutes. They may also be responsible for preparing cost estimates and other documentation for clients. Most carpenters learn on the job through apprenticeships and begin their careers by performing more basic tasks, such as measuring and cutting wood. They must be competent in the use of hand and power tools, as well as reading blueprints and understanding building codes.
Unlike roofers or electricians, carpenters do not need a license to practice their craft. But that doesn’t mean they don’t face steep barriers to entry. In addition to the physical demands of the work, carpenters often endure hazing and discrimination. Nickeia Hunter, a Black female carpenter who runs the Seattle-based non-profit Sawhorse Revolution, says she experienced racial abuse and isolation during her apprenticeship. carpenters