Cabinet maker
A Cabinet maker:
- Builds, repairs, finishes and installs residential and commercial cabinets, wooden furniture and architectural millwork using a variety of woods, laminates and other products
- Reads drawings and specifications, and prepare layouts
- Sets up and operates woodworking equipment, both power and computerized, to machine wood products and composite materials
Red Seal trade
Apprenticeship Resources
Apprenticeship Training Standard (PDF) Curriculum Training Standard – Level 1, 2, & 3 (PDF) Trade ReportAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Cabinet maker is 8,000 hours (approximately four years) consisting of 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s apprenticeship training standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.
As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.
IN-SCHOOL TRAINING
A Cabinet maker apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:
- applied safety procedures
- applied trade calculations
- trade drawings and layouts
- materials
- hand tools and portable power tools
- stationary machines and production sequences
- cabinet construction
- cutting tool theory
- finishing
- site installation
Cabinet maker is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.
This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by Skilled Trades Ontario. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade. Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.
In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program—the national standard for the trade across Canada— under the title Cabinetmaker: www.red-seal.ca.