Carpentry

Get started in the largest trade in the construction industry. You’ll need good problem-solving skills, a solid work ethic and the ability to work on your own or as part of a team. When you graduate, you’ll be qualified for jobs with construction companies, general contractors and subcontractors, or in the maintenance departments of school boards, health districts, mining operations and government departments.

Carpentry is a 32-week certificate program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Moose Jaw campus and Saskatchewan Polytechnic Prince Albert campus. You’ll get the basic training you need to get a job in the trade by building practical knowledge and skills in:

  • tools and equipment
  • construction documents and quantity survey
  • site layout and concrete
  • footings and foundations
  • framing and building envelope
  • exterior finishing and roof coverings
  • interior finishing and cabinets
  • materials and scaffolds
  • trade math and communications
Most of your time is spent in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s well-equipped Carpentry shops where you will be able to polish your skills on the many shop projects we have to offer. There is also a two-week work term at the end of the program which often results in full-time employment.
With this Saskatchewan Polytechnic credential, you may be eligible for credit towards apprenticeship training. To learn more, contact the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC).
The Bachelor of Applied Management (BAMgt) degree provides journeypersons the unique opportunity to leverage existing education and experience into a bachelor's degree with two years of additional study. Part-time and remote options are available.
  • Each academic year, 28 students are accepted and the Moose Jaw campus and 24 students are accepted at the Prince Albert campus.
  • As a student, you will experience engaging classroom instruction combined with practical hands-on training in a shop setting. A two-week work placement is also part of the training. A certified journeyperson carpenter will give instruction in both the shop and classroom.
  • Class hours are 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily. As a student, you will complete approximately 10-12 hours of homework each week outside of class time. Time management skills are essential. There are numerous group projects that will require you to work as part of a team.

Career and salary information

Your career

When you graduate, you’ll have the skills you need to work in a wide range of construction jobs. Look for work with general contractors, interior/exterior subcontractors and framing contractors. There are jobs in homebuilding and renovations, commercial construction, at industrial mining and manufacturing facilities, and with health, education, municipal and government departments. Get your journeyperson’s ticket and you could move into supervisory, management, sales and teaching positions.

Potential careers

Sample job title NOC classification
Framer Carpenters (72310)
Formwork carpenter Carpenters (72310)
Finish carpenter Carpenters (72310)
Renovation carpenter Carpenters (72310)

Admissions

Admission requirements

Alternative admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

  • 250 Arithmetic
  • 243 Reading
  • 236 Writing

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

2024-25 academic year

$9,440

International students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Get credit for what you know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

Transfer credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Student awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Architectural Technologies

Carpentry applied certificate

Additional information

Personal Readiness

Women in Trades and Technology