Cabinetmakers construct and repair wooden cabinets, furniture, fixtures and related products. They are employed by furniture manufacturing or repair companies, construction companies and cabinetmaking contractors, or they may be self-employed.
Main duties
Cabinetmakers perform some or all of the following duties:
Study plans, specifications or drawings of articles to be made, or prepare specifications
Mark outlines or dimensions of parts on wood
Operate woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, mortisers and shapers, and use hand tools to cut, shape and form parts and components
Trim joints and fit parts and subassemblies together to form complete unit using glue and clamps and reinforce joints using nails, screws or other fasteners
Sand wooden surfaces and apply veneer, stain or polish to finished products
Repair or restyle wooden furniture, fixtures and related products
May estimate amount, type and cost of materials required.
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or
A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school or college courses in cabinetmaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal) is also available to qualified cabinetmakers.
Additional information
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Red Seal trade certification allows for interprovincial mobility.
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