This book provides a comprehensive guide for black carpenters to succeed in the construction field. It covers topics like finding apprenticeships and training programs, choosing between union and non-union work, purchasing the right tools, dealing with discrimination on job sites, and continuing education opportunities. The book aims to address the specific challenges black professionals face and provide career guidance, from getting started to advancing as a journeyman carpenter. It includes advice from other black carpenters in the industry.

1. THE BLACK CARPENTER’S GUIDE. This step-by-step book explains everything you need
to succeed in every aspect as a black carpenter, from developing the right mindset to
finding trainings and classes that can increase your knowledge about construction. You
will understand what apprenticeship works best for you and how to compare them before
makinganinformeddecision.Youwillbegiventheknowledgeandexperiencefromablack
man on the benefits of working for union versus non-union companies and which will be
more in line with your overall career goals as a carpenter.You will discover how purchasing
the right hand and power tools will help improve your image as a carpenter on the job-
site and make your job much easier, helping you succeed in the trade as a journeyman
carpenter.This also provides assistance on
o How to decide on the best materials to use for a job or project.
o What building systems are used in commercial and residential construction.
o How learning the terms and language of construction can help you succeed at a
job in the field.
o How to develop the right job search plan and
o How to schedule your week that gets the immediate results you are seeking that
will have you employed in a few short weeks.
You will learn how, if you must travel to find employment, to be properly compensated
for traveling expenses and what the company should provide.You’ll discover how to work
productively and stand out as a carpenter so that your career will continue to move forward
and you will get the promotions you deserve.
You’ll find out about specialties within the trades of construction and how choosing an
area of specialization may lead you to greater job fulfilment. You’ll find out how to deal
with racial discrimination on job-sites and how to file a complaint with management.
You’ll discover free and very low-cost ways of continuing your education and advancing
your career that will make you extremely valuable as an employee and keep your skills
in high demand as a journeyman carpenter. You will learn about new breakthroughs in
construction and technologies that are on the forefront and how by getting the right
trainings you’ll be setting yourself up for employment for years to come. Also, as a bonus
there is a chapter on what you need to do to get your contractor’s license.
You now have in your hands the most complete and up to date guide on succeeding in the
construction field as a black carpenter. This book is especially written for the challenges
we must face and overcome as black men and women in construction.
“A very well and precise look into the Rough
CarpenterWorld.Amusthavebookforanyone
looking to start a career as a CARPENTER.Wish
back when I started that I had this book with
all this helpful insight .And even now this book
can help the up and coming carpenters with
hints like how to look for work and know your
way around a construction sites.”
Mauricio Monsalve
Carpenter /Owner of Monsalve Bros.
Construction
“I would recommend reading this book
to anyone who is interested in becoming
a carpenter especially but also to anyone
interested in the construction industry as
a hole. Mr. Collins touches on topics such
as trainings and resources, apprenticeships
programs, being a union or a non-union
carpenter, tools of the trade, and evening the
steps to applying for a job plus a lot more. I’ll
leave it up to you the reader to dive in and get
all of this great information and guidance.
Great job Mr. Collins.”
“Job well done!”
TYRONE SIMMONS
Davis & Reed Construction
Equipment Operator
My construction career began with Soltec
PacificattheRubenH.SpaceTheaterexpansion
project at Balboa Park in San Diego in 1996 as
a carpenter apprentice. I completed four years
of class room instruction in carpentry at the
Associated General Contractors of America.
After completing my apprenticeship, I joined
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters local #
547. My first Union job was for J.R Concrete a
large union contractor who was building the
police station in Chula Vista in the county of
San Diego. I have worked as a journeyman
carpenter on many projects since then both
large and small during the past twenty years
of in the construction trade. Some of the
projects I worked on is The Ruben H Space
Theater Expansion, College Grove Shopping
Center,The Hard Rock Hotel,The Legend Hotel
overlooking Petco Park in San Diego, and the
Sorrento Valley Freeway project. Some of
the Union contractors I have worked for are
Webcore Builders, McCarthy Builders, and
Morley Construction. I was hired on as the
carpenter foreman for Construction Detailed
Solutions were I was in charge of home
remodeling projects. Since early childhood I
have always had a love for construction and
received pleasure by working with tools and
my hands. Now I’m living the dream. Living
in San Diego has allowed me to take part in
some of this cities great public work projects.
Reaching out to other minorities who are
consideringenteringtheconstructionfieldand
passing on what I have learned in the trade is
my passion.
THEBLACKCARPENTER’SGUIDEDESMONDCOLLINS