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Helpers--Carpenters

People classed as Helpers--Carpenters help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. The skills rated most useful are speaking, social perceptiveness, and monitoring. You may also need to erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces. Its interest code is RCS. Realistic leads at 6.9 out of 7, so expect hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, with Conventional next at 3.5. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. Expect to clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking research, analysis and working through hard problems.

What they do

Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Main tasks

  • Erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces.
  • Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
  • Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation.
  • Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
  • Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
  • Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coordination
  • Complex Problem Solving

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and social perceptiveness.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to spend most of your time analyzing and researching. Investigative rates 1.3 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCS takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Carpenter Apprentice
  • Carpenter Assistant
  • Carpenter Helper

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.