Course Overview:
The Carpentry course at St. Pierre and Alix Life Skills Training College offers learners hands-on training in woodworking, furniture making, and building construction. Carpentry is one of the most essential and marketable skills in the construction and manufacturing industries. This course combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to equip students with the ability to produce durable furniture, carry out construction woodwork, and run independent businesses.
Through a mix of theory, practical training, and entrepreneurial development, learners graduate with the competence to work on residential, commercial, and institutional projects or start their own carpentry workshops.
What You Will Learn:
1. Introduction to Wood and Tools
Learners begin by identifying various types of timber used in Uganda—hardwood, softwood, treated lumber, and plywood. Students are trained to safely use tools such as saws, hammers, chisels, planes, measuring tapes, clamps, screwdrivers, drills, and sanders.
2. Measuring, Marking, and Cutting
Accuracy is key in carpentry. Students are taught how to take precise measurements, mark out joints, and cut materials using both hand tools and powered machines. They also learn about angles, bevels, and different cutting techniques for varied wood types.
3. Wood Joinery Techniques
This unit covers the methods of joining wood for furniture and frames. Trainees learn mortise and tenon joints, dovetails, lap joints, dowel joints, and the use of wood glue, screws, and nails. These techniques ensure strong, stable, and long-lasting structures.
4. Furniture Making and Repairs
Students build items such as stools, chairs, tables, doors, window frames, wardrobes, and beds. They are guided through design, assembly, sanding, and finishing. Learners also gain skills in repairing broken furniture—an important service in the local market.
5. Building Carpentry
This section focuses on woodwork in construction: roofing trusses, ceiling boards, wall paneling, shuttering (formwork) for concrete, scaffolding, and fitting doors and windows. Students are trained in site measurements, interpretation of building plans, and working alongside other trades.
6. Finishing and Surface Treatment
Learners are introduced to sanding, polishing, painting, varnishing, and sealing wood for protection and aesthetic appeal. They explore different types of finishes and their application for various environments.
7. Occupational Safety and Workshop Management
Carpentry involves working with sharp tools and noisy machines. Students are trained in safety procedures, proper posture, storage practices, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to reduce risks.
8. Business Skills and Entrepreneurship
Students learn how to run a carpentry business: pricing, material estimation, marketing, customer service, record-keeping, and securing contracts. Many of our graduates go on to open small workshops or work in partnership with builders and hardware suppliers.
Who This Course Is For:
This course is designed for:
- Young men and women passionate about building and woodwork
- School leavers (P.7, S.4, or S.6) seeking practical careers
- Adults interested in starting furniture or construction-related businesses
- Artisans needing certification or new techniques to upgrade their skills
No prior carpentry experience is required—just dedication and a willingness to work hard with your hands.
Practical Experience:
Training is delivered in a well-equipped carpentry workshop on campus.
Students participate in:
- Individual furniture projects (from design to finishing)
- Team-based construction projects (roofing models, scaffold making, door frame fitting)
- Community assignments (repairing or constructing institute furniture)
Projects are assessed continuously, and students build a portfolio of their work, which can be shown to future clients or employers.
Certification and Career Opportunities:
Upon successful completion, learners are awarded a national certificate through the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT). Graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- Carpenter in construction companies
- Furniture maker in workshops or factories
- Freelance repair technician
- Interior and finishing woodworker
- Self-employed carpenter or workshop owner
Some may also venture into interior design, joinery, or home improvement services—especially when combined with electrical or plumbing training.
Course Duration:
The standard program lasts 12 to 18 months, including assessment preparation. Short courses (3–6 months) in furniture repair, basic joinery, or formwork carpentry are available.
Required Materials:
The institute provides tools and shared materials for classwork. Students are encouraged to acquire:
- Safety boots and overalls
- Measuring tape and ruler
- Carpenter’s square
- Sandpaper, glue, nails, and screws
- Notebook for design sketches and records
Students also learn how to source timber and negotiate with local suppliers.
Success Story:
Charles Zaake, a graduate from the first cohort, began as a workshop assistant. Today, he owns a small carpentry business near Kakiri Town, specializing in making wardrobes and kitchen cabinets. He employs two other former students and delivers furniture to clients across Wakiso and Kampala.
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