Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin – Carpentry Apprenticeship
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships in Wisconsin / Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin – Carpentry Apprenticeship
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin – Carpentry Apprenticeship (West Bend & Rice Lake, WI)
Programs Offered
- Carpentry Apprenticeship (4-Year Program)
- Hands-on Residential and Commercial Construction Training
- Pathway to Journeyman Carpenter Certification
Program Overview
The Carpentry Apprenticeship Program offered through the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin (ABC WI) provides comprehensive training in residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Apprentices learn to construct, install, and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on, on-the-job training to develop precise carpentry skills and technical knowledge.
This program is ideal for individuals who enjoy physical, hands-on work, problem-solving, and working as part of a team in the building trades.
Hands-On Training
Apprentices receive practical training in construction techniques including:
- Reading and interpreting blueprints, plans, and building specifications.
- Measuring, cutting, and assembling materials for framing, finishing, and cabinetry.
- Installing windows, doors, walls, floors, roofs, and fixtures.
- Using power tools, hand tools, and precision measuring equipment safely and effectively.
- Applying job-site safety standards and construction codes.
Certification & Licensing Prep
- Completion qualifies apprentices for journeyman carpenter certification in Wisconsin.
- Program includes both classroom and field training to meet state and industry standards.
- Graduates may pursue advanced roles in construction management, supervision, or specialized carpentry work.
Career Paths & Salary Outlook
- Apprentice Carpenter: Earn while training and learning advanced construction techniques.
- Journeyman Carpenter: Upon completion, earn the full trade wage and perform independent construction work.
- Advanced Roles: Opportunities to become a foreman, superintendent, or construction manager.
Program Length
- 4-year apprenticeship program.
- Includes both classroom instruction and on-the-job training through partner contractors.
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Basic math and mechanical aptitude.
- Ability to perform physical work safely and efficiently.
Compensation & Benefits
Apprentices earn a percentage of journey-level pay that increases with experience and training milestones. The average skilled wage rate for carpenters in Wisconsin is approximately $31.56 per hour, plus benefits. Apprentices receive steady pay and benefits as they advance through the program.
Cost & Financial Support
The apprenticeship is tuition-free. Participants earn while they learn, with training provided through the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin and its partner training centers. Classroom and job-site instruction are offered at no cost to the apprentice.
Location
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin
School Locations:
Moraine Park Technical College – West Bend (block program)
Northwood Technical College – Rice Lake
Training coordinated through ABC WI’s apprenticeship and training network.
Apprenticeship Cost & Career Outlook
This is a Registered Apprenticeship Program — meaning you will earn while you learn.
- Paid on-the-job training with increasing wages
- Classroom or technical instruction provided by the program
- No tuition costs — apprentices are paid during training
- Nationally recognized credential upon completion
Because apprenticeships are managed through the U.S. Department of Labor, College Scorecard data for tuition and earnings does not apply. Apprenticeships provide real-world experience and a direct path to journeyman-level wages without student debt.