Learn Commercial Carpentry at Riverland

Riverland is the only college in Minnesota to offer a two-year Commercial Carpentry diploma. You’ll get real-world training and earn credit toward becoming a Journeyman Carpenter.

Why Choose This Program?

• Learn from instructors with 7,000+ hours of experience
• Use real construction tools like Total Station GPS layout
• Build full-size steel-framed mockups in a safe setting
• Earn 1,500 hours toward your Journeyman license
• Optional online Construction Management certificate adds even more skills

What You'll Study

• Blueprint Reading I & II
• Material and Tool Safety
• Steel Framing (Structural and Non-Structural)
• Job Site Setup and Layout
• Total Station Training
• Concrete Forming and Finishing

Career Outlook

Over 21,000 new carpenters are needed by 2026. With Riverland’s training, you’ll be ready to step into jobs in commercial or residential construction.

Possible Job Titles

• Commercial Carpenter
• Framing Carpenter
• Formwork Carpenter
• Interior Systems Installer
• Drywall Installer or Finisher
• Millwork or Fixture Installer
• Construction Estimator
• Construction Foreperson or Site Supervisor

Scholarships

Scholarships for carpentry students include:

• Jake Moe Memorial Scholarship
• Thomas Dohrmann, Quality Pork Processors, Inc. Memorial Scholarship
• Belita and Dick Schindler Carpentry Scholarship
• The Joseph Company Inc. Scholarship
• William J. Diggs Carpentry Scholarship
• See all scholarship options and deadlines

Last Updated: April 30, 2025