School of Skilled Trades

Millwork and Carpentry

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In the Millwork and Carpentry program, you will gain hands-on skills in the design and construction of wood structures, cabinets, shelving units and furniture. This certificate program will explore the two traditional woodworking trades of Cabinetmaker and Carpenter, with an emphasis on tools and safety.

Students specialize in either the cabinetmaking or carpentry stream. Each stream emphasizes materials and techniques relevant to that trade specialization.

  • The Cabinetmaking stream (Millwork), introduces students to construction of both upper and lower casework, complete with doors, drawer, mouldings, hardware and exposure to a variety of different materials used in the trade.

  • The Carpentry stream provides an introduction to residential home construction in foundations, framing and finishing carpentry.experience related to their stream.

Sep 01, 2023

Quick Facts

Credential: Certificate

Certificates are credit programs that take 1 year or less and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday in the daytime.

Length: 1 Year

With a typical full-time course load, this program will take 1 Year to complete.

Open Studies: Not Available

This program does not currently have any courses available for Open Studies.

International Students: Accepted

This program accepts international students, however, program availability may be limited. Check program availability for this term. This program also meets the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

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Median Starting Salary: $39,000

Salaries are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and are not a guarantee of future income.

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Work Integrated Learning: Field Placement

This program has Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. Experiences are directly tied to curriculum and part of an approved program of study.

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Hands-on, industry-relevant training

Successful Millwork and Carpentry certificate graduates display the following attributes.

  • safety conscious
  • work well with tools
  • work well within a team environment
  • the ability to stand, crouch and kneel for long periods of time
  • manual dexterity
  • the ability to lift heavy loads
  • the ability to solve arithmetic problems accurately
  • a positive and professional learning attitude, with an interest in woodworking

Student Experience

The School of Skilled Trades wants our first-year students to become confident in their abilities, get connected to NAIT through groups, peers and staff, be supported personally and academically, get motivated to complete their program and most importantly enjoy the learning environment here at NAIT.

Being an apprentice student is quite different from being a full-time student. Apprentices are in school for short periods of time and some programs are on satellite campuses. Our goal is to improve communication with apprentices on all campuses to ensure you have access to all the services we have to offer at NAIT for you to be successful.

If there is something you are looking for or if you need additional information, please contact us at apprentice@nait.ca.

Millwork and Carpentry

Step inside NAIT's Millwork and Carpentry program.

2021 Provincial Skills Canada Competition: NAIT Cabinet Making

Get an inside look at NAIT Millwork and Carpentry students competing in the 2021 Provincial Skills Canada Competition.

International Students

International applicants should please note the following:

  • Study Permit and Co-Op Work Permit: Admission into this 1-year credit certificate program may qualify you for a study permit and a co-op work permit. 
  • Work Practicum: Students enrolled in this program must complete a work practicum. As such, international students must apply for a co-op work permit and receive approval before the start of your work placement.
  • Working in the Skilled Trades in Alberta: Graduates of this program may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. However, study permit or work permit holders may not be eligible to indenture with Alberta Industry Training (AIT) upon completion of this program. Indenturing with AIT may be a requirement to work as a technician in Alberta. Learn more about who can indenture.

International applicants seeking permissions to take this program can contact a NAIT academic advisor – international focus to discuss options.

International Students

International applicants should please note the following:

  • Study Permit and Co-Op Work Permit: Admission into this 1-year credit certificate program may qualify you for a study permit and a co-op work permit. 
  • Work Practicum: Students enrolled in this program must complete a work practicum. As such, international students must apply for a co-op work permit and receive approval before the start of your work placement.
  • Working in the Skilled Trades in Alberta: Graduates of this program may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. However, study permit or work permit holders may not be eligible to indenture with Alberta Industry Training (AIT) upon completion of this program. Indenturing with AIT may be a requirement to work as a technician in Alberta. Learn more about who can indenture.

International applicants seeking permissions to take this program can contact a NAIT academic advisor – international focus to discuss options.

Career Outcomes

Ample opportunity exists for trained millworkers and carpenters to be self-employed or to find work as employees of progressive organizations.

Build your resume before you even graduate

Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.

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Work Experience Placements

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 5 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Courses

Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.

Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Awards

The following scholarships and/or bursaries are available to you as a student in this program. To access your opportunities, visit the Student Portal.

Admission Requirements

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.

General inquiries

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Program-specific questions

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

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