Carpentry Courses — Basic & Advanced

Ellena Training Institute delivers practical carpentry training focused on workplace competence. Both courses emphasise safety, measurement accuracy, material knowledge, manual skills, and assessed practical outcomes.

Hands-on bench & site practicals
Tool control & maintenance
Reading plans & setting out
Finish carpentry & quality control
Carpentry practical training at Ellena (image placeholder)
Carpentry tools and joinery (image placeholder)

What is Carpentry Training?

Carpentry training teaches timber skills used in construction and finish work. Trainees learn to measure and set out, cut and join timber, erect framing, install doors/windows, produce finish carpentry and operate common site tools safely.

Courses & Structure

Basic Carpentry — 1 month (R8,000)

Intended for beginners. Delivers a solid foundation in hand and power tool use, basic joinery and small-scale site tasks.

  • Duration: 1 month (approx. 4 weeks; classroom theory + daily practicals in the workshop)
  • Fee: R8,000 (includes basic consumables)
  • Outcomes: Basic bench joinery, accurate measuring, simple framing, door/window hanging, site hand skills.

Basic Course Detailed Curriculum

  • Introduction to carpentry tools, PPE and workshop safety
  • Measuring, marking out and working to tolerances
  • Hand saws, chisels, planes and manual sharpening
  • Power tools: circular saw, jigsaw, drill/driver, router basics
  • Common joints: butt, lap, halving, mitre, dado
  • Bench projects: small cabinet, shelf, door trimming
  • Basic framing: stud walls, noggins and simple roof battens
  • Basic finish work: sanding, sealing, hinge & lock fitting
  • Material knowledge: timber species and moisture considerations
  • Assessment: practical build and written / oral checks

Advanced Carpentry — 2 months (R15,000)

For learners with basic skills or those completing the Basic course. Focuses on full site workflows, advanced joinery, door/window manufacture, stair construction and finishing trades.

  • Duration: 2 months (approx. 8 weeks; advanced practicals + site work)
  • Fee: R15,000 (includes extended consumables and assessment costs)
  • Outcomes: Competent site carpenter able to work on residential/commercial carpentry tasks and perform finish carpentry to trade standards.

Advanced Course Detailed Curriculum

  • Advanced setting out for walls, roofs and stairs
  • Complex joinery: mortise & tenon, dovetail, housing joints
  • Door & window manufacture, hanging and fine adjustments
  • Staircase layout and assembly (strings, treads, risers, balustrades)
  • Built-in cupboards, kitchen carcass and finish cabinetry techniques
  • External cladding, fascias, soffits and decking installation
  • Advanced use of stationary machines: table saw, planer, thicknesser and jointer
  • Site sequence planning, temporary works, scaffolding basics (site safety only)
  • Quality control, tolerances, final finishing and customer handover
  • Assessment: advanced project build, code of workmanship and viva

Why Train & Get Certified?

  • Meets basic site competency requirements for employers and contractors.
  • Reduces rework and increases first-time quality through correct techniques.
  • Provides documented proof of skills for hiring and subcontracting.

Training Requirements

  • Minimum age 18.
  • Basic literacy and numeracy for measurement and blueprint reading.
  • Fit for manual work. Disclose medical conditions affecting safe tool use.
  • Bring ID, steel-toe boots and basic PPE. Tools provided; recommended to bring personal tape measure and pencil.
  • Re-registration requires previous certificate and ID.

Why Choose Ellena Training Institute?

  • Practical-first approach with measurable assessment criteria.
  • Experienced carpenters and trainers with site background.
  • Small cohorts for close supervision and quality outcomes.
  • Flexible delivery: onsite for corporate groups or at our Pretoria facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you offer both basic and advanced as stand-alone courses?
A: Yes. Beginners take Basic. Experienced learners can register directly for Advanced with demonstrable prior experience.

Q: Are tools provided?
A: Core tools and consumables are provided. Trainees should bring steel-toe boots and a personal protective equpment suitable for workshop.

Q: Can the advanced course be extended into an apprenticeship?
A: We provide guidance and contacts for apprenticeship or placement; extended mentorship can be arranged for corporates.

Q: How are students assessed?
A: Assessment includes observed practical builds, project submission, a skills checklist and a short written/oral competency check.

Q: Do you offer corporate booking/onsite training?
A: Yes — we deliver tailored corporate courses and site-based training nationwide.

Register for Carpentry Training

Choose Basic (1 month) or Advanced (2 months). Use the registration form or contact us for corporate quotes.