Carpentry Schools in Chesapeake

No matter how gifted they are, aspiring carpenters in Chesapeake, Virginia, as in anywhere else, must obtain significant training before they can call themselves professionals. Thankfully, the city boasts several excellent training programs in and around it.

While it can get challenging to identify the best among the best individuals interested in carpentry as a career, you will not have to worry because we have highlighted below some of the most prominent carpentry training schools in and around Chesapeake, Virginia.

The schools below have been curated to meet various educational standards, including comprehensive coursework, hands-on curriculum, and excellent instructors/facilities.

How to Become a Carpenter in Chesapeake

In Chesapeake, Virginia, carpenters can begin their careers by:

  • Graduating from an academic carpentry training program at a community college or trade school,
  • Graduating from an apprenticeship program, or *Working as a carpenter’s assistant for a few years before starting their careers.

Upon completion of training, carpenters in Chesapeake, Virginia, must obtain a contractor’s license from the state board. The class of license obtained will depend on the volume of contracts the carpenter intends to take up in a year: class A for base-level contracts, class B for high-volume contracts, and class C for unlimited contracts.

Top Carpentry Schools in Chesapeake, Virginia

For high-quality carpentry training, the following are some of the most prominent training institutions in and around Chesapeake, Virginia.

Virginia Technical Institute

Virginia Technical Institute offers one of the most notable training programs consisting of both classroom and hands-on training. Generally, after gaining admission, students are introduced to the construction trades with a particular focus on carpentry.

They are taught to work with building materials, adhesives, fasteners, and hand and power tools. They also learn to read blueprints, plans, and elevations, work with textiles, build doors and hardware, and install cabinets.

The program seeks to immerse students into the profession so that by the time they graduate and seek employment, they will have already become familiar with most of their duties on the job.

Chantilly Academy

Chantilly Academy is another respectable institution where aspiring capitals can receive rigorous training spanning classroom and laboratory instruction. Students will learn about carpentry and construction topics, such as how to read blueprints, configure layouts, work with construction materials, devise construction methods, estimate costs, and manage large projects.

Additionally, they will learn critical safety principles and develop leadership skills while competing in the Skills USA program. Chantilly Academy’s carpentry curriculum also includes topics in other construction areas to give students an idea of what to expect while working with other professionals in the construction industry.

Centura College

Centura College is known for offering high-quality allied health and skilled trades programs. The school offers a diploma in carpentry at its Norfolk campus that can be completed in only 12 months.

The courses are highly flexible, with the day session between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Additionally, students can also enroll for the night courses taking place between 4:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The topics students will learn include constructing and installing a building framework, floor systems, moisture protection, interior and exterior finishes, cabinetry, and crew leadership.

According to the program website, students will also learn to carry out critical mathematical calculations to configure their structures while developing strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.

Explore detailed steps and certification requirements:

Piedmont Virginia Community

At Piedmont Virginia Community College, students are trained in critical topics that prepare them for what to expect as carpenters working in residential and commercial settings. The school boasts highly experienced instructors who are patient enough to guide students through any difficulties, either in the classroom or during hands-on training sessions.

Graduates would have become skilled in layout, interior and exterior finishes, frameworks, and shop mathematics.

Notable Mentions

Other notable carpentry training programs in the area include the programs offered by Reynolds Community College in Richmond, the Technical and Career Education Center in Virginia Beach, the Hanover Center for Trades and Technology in Mechanicsville, Rowanty Technical Center in Carson, Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton, Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown and Warrington, and the Roanoke Technical Education Center in Roanoke.

Explore Nearby States for Education and Training:

Notable Apprenticeship Programs

Candidates looking for notable apprenticeship programs may choose to apply for the training programs offered by the Mid-Atlantic Carpenters Training Centers in Ashland and Charles City, along with the training program provided by the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. This program has a location in Dulles for aspiring carpenters in Northern Virginia and another in Richmond for aspiring carpenters in Central Virginia.