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.
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 certificate program may qualify international students for a study 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 is 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.
Job Opportunities
Carpenter
Carpenters build and repair buildings and other structures made of wood, wood substitutes, steel and other materials. In residential jobs, carpenters
- crib the basement
- build the house framework, walls, roof, exterior and interior finishes
- install doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, stairs, handrails, panelling, moulding and ceiling tiles
Industries
- Commercial and institutional millwork
- Cabinet and furniture production
- Commercial display work
- Construction carpentry
- Prefabricated home manufacturer
- Stair and handrail manufacturing
Median Starting Salary
The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Millwork and Carpentry Certificate is $39,000.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.
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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View Work Integrated Learning
Work Experience Placements
Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. The WIL placement in this program is a Field Placement.
Field Placement
A Field Placement provides students with an intensive part-time or short-term hands-on practical experience in a setting relevant to their subject of study. Field placements may not require supervision of a registered or licensed professional and the completed hours are not required for professional certification.
| Duration |
3 weeks |
| Compensation |
No |
| International Students |
Co-op Work Permit required |
| Placement Identified By |
Student or Program Staff - students may be required to apply for WIL positions, or may be placed with an employer by the program. Please consult with program staff to learn more. |
| Student Interview Required |
Maybe |
Benefits of a Field Placement
- Understand more about career opportunities, expectations and requirements of the professional field
- Gain the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment
- Create networking opportunities in your chosen industry
- Develop and improve communication, interpersonal and employment skills
- Gain confidence in your professional skills
- Explore career options and program specialization within the industry
- Improve application for future positions by gaining industry experience and increasing your employability
Finding a placement
- Create a profile on NAIT's job board, Career Connect
- Create and maintain a current resume, cover letter and list of references
- Apply for positions on Career Connect
- Prepare for, and attend, employer interviews
- Coordinate and communicate with your WIL Coordinator
- Be flexible, professional, and participate fully in the recruitment process
- Be aware of the anticipated outcomes of the placement
- Notify the coordinator for your program once you have an employment offer and sign a WIL Agreement
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.
Tuition & Fees
This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.
The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.
Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)
Level 1 Term 1: $700
Level 1 Term 2: $600
Scholarships & Awards
NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!
Learn how to apply for awards
Admission Requirements
This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.
Minimum entrance requirements
The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.
- Grade 10 Language Arts (English 10-2)
- Grade 10 Mathematics (Math 10C, Math 10-3, Math 20-4, Applied Math 10, Math 13, or Math 24)
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
Additional requirements & considerations
Alternative entrance pathways
If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.
Dates & Deadlines
International
Applications Open:
Aug 01, 2024
International
Applications Deadline:
Once the program is full
Domestic
Applications Open:
Oct 01, 2024
Application Deadline:
Once the program is full
Term Start Date:
Sep 02, 2025
Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.
International Applicants
This program accepts international students.
PGWP Eligibility
This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement effective November 1, 2024. Students who applied for a study permit before Nov. 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.
While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.
Co-Op Work Permit
Mandatory Co-op: This program has a mandatory work-integrated learning component. International students must apply for a co-op work permit and have it approved before the start of their work placement.
Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.
