I started my career as a carpenter in 1968, I joined the apprenticeship
in Mesa, Arizona. I went to school 2 nights a week for 4 years untill
I turned out as a journeyman. I worked on many different jobs during
this period of time, as we had to have so many hours in all different lines
and types of construction. From Trim and fixtures to heavy forms, and framing.
And these types of jobs was broken down also. Like framing we needed roofs
and wall framing. Our schooling then was to read it in a book and then
practice it on the job. Now days kids go to school for 1 week a quarter
and get paid for it and there they build the project under the supervision
of the instructors. The knowledge I have gained from this program
has help carry me through my entire life. Construction is changing
so much too, that the apprenticeship is offering journeyman updating classes.
This is so we can learn new things and brush up on old skills.
After
my apprenticeship I became a journey man and shortly after that the gasoline
shortage hit and jobs became very scarce. I did manage to go to alaska
and get a job in the oil fields for the pipe line. You can read my story
in the pipe line section of my carpentry pages. I have worked on
many big and small projects. I have worked on a 5 story underground parking
garage with a park on top at ground level complete with grass and stage
with little food vendors all over. They even have lazer light shows there
at times. I also put a hanging 3rd story on a 2 story mall with a retractable
roof over the center between the buildings. We did this as the mall was
still open, and now it is a show case place. I also did a 1 1/2 years worth
of remodel work to a 5 stars resort in 5 months time, working around the
clock and 7 days a week. It turned out GREAT and is really popular, it
is an old out west resort.
The
thing now is that there is a big addition to our work, The Hi-Tech Industry.
This is what I work on now. For the past 10 or so years I have been working
for this company that does everything for the Hi-Tech companies to keep
there clean rooms in operation and super clean also. This is all Aluminum
and Stainless Stee. No wood or cardboard is allowed in a cleanroom.
I am also doing autocad drawings and redlineing the blue prints.
It seems that the modern Carpenter has to be able to use a computer also.
I am now a Project Manageer / Estimator and I use the computer all the
time for every thing and e-mail is the most common way to transfer
paper work. Yes sir Bill Gates has made us all dependant on his programs.
With out them it seems that some companies would not know how to operate.
