Apprentice Training Program

The Apprentice Training Program (ATP), through its registration at the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), is a nationally-certified training program for timber framing. The curriculum outlines were developed over the past twenty years with extensive help from Guild members across North America. Ourprogram was formally registered at the DoL in 2009 and continues to develop testing, graduate apprentices, and certify journeyworkers. The Guild's Apprenticeship Training Committee (ATC) and Guild staff oversee the administration of the program.

Application to the Apprentice program is "Direct Entry."  In order to participate in the program as an apprentice, you must be formally mentored by or working under a journeyworker. Apprentices who have several years of prior work experience may be able to graduate and obtain Journeyworker status in as little as six months.  

The journeyworkers who mentor apprentices must be qualified. Journeyworker qualification is satisfied when a journeyworker applicant indicates competency in 70% of the skills outlined in the Third Edition of the Apprenticeship Manual (the draft Fourth Edition will be available in 2023). Apprenticeships are for those who have less than 70% of the skills and training hours.

Those wishing to apply for Apprentice status must submit a skills assessment along with a resume and cover letter.  Those seeking Journeyworker status must send a resume, cover note and three letters of recommendation.  A sample letter of recommendation can be found below.  

Getting involved with the Guild is a good way to network into the industry, and if you are not already a member of the Guild, we invite you to join. All apprentices must be dues-paying members, and there is an additional $75/year fee.  

The objective of the journeyworker and apprentice program is to reinforce the professional practice, evolving skill set, and continuing education necessary to deliver high-quality timber frames, enclosure systems, and structures to the marketplace. For the program to succeed, all are expected to contribute to the education and leadership of others. We look forward to your participation. 

For a secure link to submit your application materials, please contact gretchen@tfguild.org or call 833-TMBR-FRM.

Revised October 2022


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