72310

Carpenters

TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: Yes

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 72 › 723 › 7231

Definition

Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials. They are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors, and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
Prepare layouts in conformance to building codes, using measuring tools
Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials
Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems
Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware
Maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments
Supervise apprentices and other construction workers
May prepare cost estimates for clients.

Example job titles

•apprentice carpenter
•carpenter
•carpenter-joiner
•finish carpenter
•journeyman/woman carpenter
•maintenance carpenter
•metal framer - carpentry
•renovation carpenter

Overview

Under Canada's NOC 2021 system, Carpenters are classified under NOC code 72310, falling within the TEER 2 category. This high-demand classification makes skilled carpenters eligible for key Canadian economic immigration pathways. Qualified candidates can pursue permanent residency through the Express Entry system—specifically the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)—as well as various targeted Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) designed to address regional labor shortages in the construction sector.

According to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) guidelines, professionals under NOC 72310 construct, erect, install, maintain, and repair structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel, and other materials. To satisfy the official employment requirements, applicants typically need a secondary school diploma and a three- to four-year apprenticeship program, or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade. Trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and voluntary in all other provinces and territories, though obtaining a Red Seal endorsement highly facilitates interprovincial mobility and employment prospects.

Navigating the Canadian immigration process as a skilled tradesperson requires meeting these strict ESDC criteria, obtaining proper educational credential assessments (ECA), and fulfilling provincial licensing requirements where applicable. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official and up-to-date guidelines, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.