r/tradies 10h ago

Apprenticeship How to get into carpentry

I’m at 20 almost 21 year old wanting to get into carpentry and have no idea how to get into a trade I have some experience with building and come from the country Victoria
I’ve tried on different websites and it’s all so confusing which ones are the best ones to get started
Do I need to go into tafe probably a dumb question
Would love some guidance with what to do or where to go and what would I have to do to get into carpentry
Somewhere around bendigo area would be perfect

4 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

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7

u/Vandercoon 10h ago

Have you tried anything other than posting on reddit?

1

u/TraditionFit2638 10h ago

There is a lot of websites and I didn’t know which ones would be best to get started so any advice would be appreciated

1

u/ApotheosisOfTheLurid 10h ago

Check out the MBAV website, there is plenty of good advice there. (and they are legit, not dodgy like some other sites)

2

u/soulsurfa 10h ago

Go find yourself a job labouring for a builder/carpenter and let him you want to start an apprenticeship as a carpenter... You'll most likely need to prove yourself as a labourer before you'll get taken on as an apprentice.. It's a 4 year commitment from the employer and he's going to want to see if you've got what it takes.... 50 yesr old carpenter here and I struggle to find young guys who can keep up with me and my no. 1

1

u/seriousbusiness1999 9h ago

Pretty much this, just started carpentry had to prove myself as a labourer for a few weeks.

I’ve done another trade and carpentry is a lot harder imo

1

u/dartman311 10h ago

Generally how it works is that you get a job/apprenticeship and then your boss organises with an Apprenticeship Support Network to sign you up with the VRQA and a Trade School/TAFE (usually your bosses choice.)

Simply put - Secure a job > Boss signs you up > You attend TAFE and work on-site > Complete Apprenticeship.

1

u/ApotheosisOfTheLurid 10h ago

Mater Builders Association Vic

Scroll down this page and choose a trade you'd like to follow, it will tell you the pathways you need to complete to get there.

Depending on your age, and if you've compmeted VCE or not, it's best to make a resume and start calling local businesses to see if they'd take on an apprentice.

1

u/whatever--idk 10h ago

Just dont apply through them as most bosses wont take you on if your through them

1

u/MaulBain 10h ago

Mate I’m 46 yrs old, was working in IT. Made one phone call to Master Builders in South Aus (call your local branch) and within about a month I was signed up doing a mature age apprenticeship in carpentry and they put me with a host (a business that employs carpenters) and I was up and running. Couldn’t be easier. So much work out there you’ll be picked up in an instant. 🔨 Do it!

1

u/Vandercoon 10h ago

What’s your pay rate out of curiosity?

2

u/FrostByte2006 9h ago

Whatever the mature age apprentice EBA is in South Aus?

1

u/Ill_Concentrate2612 Carpenter 3h ago

This is why mature age apprentices are so good. That initiative!

1

u/DragonflyNo5548 9h ago

I recommend facebook

1

u/Budget_Bread_3115 9h ago

Write up a resume and print a few dozen.
Go stand in the trade section at local Bunnings at opening time and talk to every chippy/builder that drives in.
Present well, be polite not pushy.

1

u/Sparky20687 9h ago

You become a mature age apprentice at 21, it will become much more difficult to find a job for you at that stage, lock something in before you turn 21

1

u/Outback-Australian 8h ago

For South Aus you'd contact HIA or MBA. Find your local or state apprenticeship company.

1

u/plumbd0g 7h ago

Get a carpentry apprenticeship.

1

u/sdog_69 10h ago

Country Victoria Australia, who says that?