Most high schools offer a basic industrial arts, or "shop" class, that provide hands-on experience in woodwork, metalwork, welding, foundry work and small engine repair. Many high schools also, offer highly specialized vocational and technical course studies, or vo-tech programs, that focus on honing particular skills in common building trade subjects: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC or heating, ventilating and cooling. The carpentry course study is often divided into, rough framing and finishing carpentry. Students who choose vo-tech carpentry for their focus can explore several job opportunities when they finish school, and employers are often more interested in hiring them at a higher level, than those without this specialized training benefit.

Starting out as a helper with a framing crew is often the best and quickest way to receive on the job training. Most framing will be for new construction and additions, for either commercial or residential property. As a new helper, most of the work will be physically demanding and not very exciting at first, such as toting lumber, tools, and materials and cleaning up construction sites. In time, however, more skilled tasks will be assigned and greater experience can be gained. In addition to rough framing of buildings and homes, framing crews are often part of renovation or remodeling projects, and they also build decks, porches, sunrooms, garages, wheelchair ramps, stairways, and other exterior structures.

Working as a carpenter’s apprentice is another learning avenue, possibly with a seasoned professional woodworker who needs an extra hand and is willing to train in the process. Students can even go the handyman route themselves, by offering to do projects for friends, family and neighbors to gain experience. Handymen usually do smaller jobs, such as minor repairs to doors, windows, siding, shutters, trim, porch railings and fences, and they are often in great demand.

Community foundations, municipalities, and non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, often need extra carpenters for home building, or home repair work for their humanitarian projects. While this is largely volunteer work, it can be valuable experience, and a solid resume addition for beginning carpenters.

As well as gaining important experience with framing or finishing crews, or as an apprentice to an individual, other woodworking professions can be found in: scene/set building and prop making for theater, movie and TV productions, boatbuilding and boat detail, woodworking, cabinetry manufacturing and finishing, fine art woodwork, wood sculpture, marquetry, and custom furniture design and construction. The skills learned in vo-tech carpentry programs, can therefore be applied to a number of interesting, creative and lucrative professions.