All About the Journeymen

journeymenWhen one hears the name "journeyman", images of epic warriors or experienced travelers comes to mind, however, this brand of journeymen are of a different breed. While they may not go on epic travels or participate in ferocious battles, these journeymen are working tirelessly every day to make sure that buildings are built, projects are completed and society can function without worry.

The name journeyman is actually the title given to union member carpenters who have successfully completed an apprentice program. This is an occupational title that allows carpenters to work on a variety of construction projects. These can range home building, commercial construction, residential construction and even government projects.

A journeyman apprenticeship usually consists of four year's worth of training both inside and outside the classroom. These training sessions consist of essential skills being taught that build and enforce effective work skills and later focus on hands-on experience where real world experience is used give the carpenter's a realistic expectation of what skills are required on a job.

Like any carpenter, journeymen are held to a high standard of being able to work well with others, maintain effective time management skills and extensive knowledge with a large variety of tools and equipment. These core skills are taught during their training and apprenticeship period and re-enforced as core values that come into every aspect of job they perform.

Journeymen are also encouraged to participate in their respective communities both during and after work. During their initial training, a journeyman is taught the importance of supporting a community and the local businesses and organizations inside of it. Weekends may be spent helping to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, fixing up parks and playground equipment and even building signs and stands for festivals.

Along with a strong sense work ethic and sense of community, anyone who is a journeyman is taught to rely upon those who work with them. Being able to work with others is important, but being able to form a strong bond with those who work with each other is a benefit that usually follows individuals throughout their entire career. Journeymen carpenters often have to work long hours in sometimes less than ideal conditions, having the emotional and mental support of someone willing to help and work together through the good and bad times is a bond that few career paths are able to cultivate and grow. In some careers, it's a rare, if pleasant perk. In carpentry, it's a requirement.

The journeymen are the backbone of communities and cities, they are the ones who dedicate their lives to the service of the community and its welfare. While they all may come from humble beginnings, each one is taught to uphold a high sense of integrity and skill sets in order to complete a job in a safe and exceptional way.