Carpentry, Commercial

Discover the Commercial Carpentry Program at Riverland

Riverland Community College stands out as the only institution in Minnesota to offer a Commercial Carpentry Diploma. This comprehensive two-year program is your gateway to a robust career in carpentry, combining practical experience with advanced training opportunities.

Why Choose Riverland's Commercial Carpentry Program?

• Experienced Instructors: Learn from seasoned professionals, each with at least 7,000 hours of trade experience and Minnesota Vocational Teaching licenses.
• Hands-On Learning: Engage in hands-on learning year-round by using a Total Station GPS layout tool to set the foundation for our house build. You'll design and construct steel-framed mockups of real-world spaces, like bathrooms and medical exam rooms, and operate heavy equipment commonly used in the commercial construction industry—all within a safe, supervised educational environment.
• Apprenticeship hours towards becoming a Journeyman: Successfully complete the program and automatically qualify for 1,500 Journeyman Carpenter hours, giving you a significant advantage in your professional development.
• Enhanced Marketability: Boost your career prospects with an optional certificate in Construction Management. This online program spans two semesters and 18 credits, focusing on management, planning, and estimating.

Curriculum Overview Students in the Commercial Carpentry program will study a range of topics including:

• Blueprint Reading I & II
• Construction Material and Tool Safety
• Structural and Non-Structural Steel Framing
• Job Site Setup/Building Layout
• Total Station Training
• Concrete, Forming, and Finish

Career Outlook and Opportunities The demand for skilled carpenters is high and growing, with an anticipated need for over 21,000 new carpenters by 2026 due to new jobs and replacements. Graduates can explore diverse opportunities in industries such as:

• Commercial Carpenter
• Framing Carpenter
• Formwork Carpenter (Concrete Work)
• Interior Systems Installer (Walls, Ceilings, Partitions)
• Drywall Installer or Finisher
• Construction Foreperson or Site Supervisor
• Millwork or Fixture Installer
• Construction Estimator or Project Assistant

Job Titles for Graduates

• Commercial Carpenter
• Formwork Carpenter (Concrete)
• Interior Systems Installer
• Drywall Installer/Finisher
• Framing Carpenter

Scholarships and Financial Support Riverland offers several scholarships specifically for carpentry students, including:

• Jake Moe Memorial Scholarship
• Thomas Dohrmann, Quality Pork Processors, Inc. Memorial Scholarship
• Belita and Dick Schindler Carpentry Program Endowed Scholarship
• The Joseph Company Inc. Scholarship
• William J. Diggs Carpentry Scholarship
• Learn more about our scholarships & application deadlines

Get Started on Your Carpentry Career Today Are you ready to build a successful future with Riverland's Commercial Carpentry Program? Fill out our request for more information form to learn more about the curriculum, application process, and how this program can help you achieve your career goals. Join us at Riverland and start constructing your path to success in the thriving field of carpentry.

Last Updated: April 30, 2025