Carpentry Courses at Penn Foster Career School
Program Name:
Carpenter
| Instruction Set 1 |
Learning Strategies
Identifying and implementing a successful study method; planning when, where, and how you’ll study; creating effective and efficient study tools; using study tools to improve chances for success.
The Administrative Professional
Introduction to the field; the administrative professional’s role in the workplace; necessary skills and abilities; workplace trends and opportunities; professional organizations. |
| Instruction Set 2 |
Your Professional Image
Components of a professional image; the link between a professional image and job success; identifying personal strengths and detecting areas for improvement.
Stress and Time Management
Importance of relaxation; developing coping strategies and a stress management program; value of time management; setting goals. |
| Instruction Set 3 |
The Global Workplace
Working with clients in countries other than the United States; working as an employee of a foreign firm operating in the U.S.; diversity, international business etiquette, international time zones, international travel.
Interpersonal Communication Skills
The importance of interpersonal skills; effective listening; traits for positive interpersonal relations; oral communication skills, articulation; enunciation and pronunciation; improving speech; interacting with others; non-verbal communication; respecting and working with others. |
| Instruction Set 4 |
Administrative Office Procedures
Responsibilities of the office professional; leadership tasks; project coordination; customer relations; business ethics; professionalism.
Travel and Meeting Planning
Using a business traveler profile; various ways of making travel arrangements; differentiating between classes of airfare; business traveler’s itinerary; planning online meetings; planning a convention. |
| Instruction Set 5 |
Filing Techniques
Filing according to the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA International); color-coded filing systems; electronic filing systems; alphabetic filing rules.
Records Management
Handling records; classification of records; records control; electronic records management; archiving technologies.
Math for Office Professionals
Basic math; mean, median, mode, and range; figuring sales tax; markups and markdowns; loan amortization; metric system; foreign currency exchange. |
| Instruction Set 6 |
Technologies in the Workplace
Technologies used in today’s workplace; use of the Internet; the virtual office; security and ethical issues;
electronic communications; electronic communication systems.
Resources and References
Standard reference resources; using the Internet for research; mapping; manuals; using directories and libraries.
Internet Basics
Features of the Web; navigating the Web; accessing and sending email; basic research tools and search engines. |
| Instruction Set 7 |
Business English
Business letters, forms, client records, and memos; organization, grammar, punctuation, and sentence and paragraph construction; coherent paragraphs, well-organized documents, and purpose-focused materials; accurate, attractive, and effective final copies. |
Program description: There are certain skills you need to begin a career as a Carpenter. The Penn Foster Career School distance learning Carpenter Program helps you learn about:
* Construction drawings
* Building codes and building layout
* Lumber, building materials, and fasteners
* Floor, wall, stair, and roof framing
* Finishing floors and ceilings
And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed! The Penn Foster Career School Carpenter distance learning program can help you acquire all the skills you need to become a professional!
Program Name:
Furniture & Cabinet Maker
| Instruction Set 1 |
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
Safety
Safe use of hand and power tools used in the fine woodworking industry. |
| Instruction Set 2 |
Introduction to Fine Woodworking
How wood is processed; woodworking specialties, including cabinet and furniture making.
Your Workplace, Tools, and Materials
Setting up a workplace for the home worker; proper use and storage of tools and materials. |
| Instruction Set 3 |
Layout Techniques
Proper use of basic layout and marking tools; basic print reading skills.
Basic Joinery
Basic joinery identification and theory; step-by-step procedure for dovetailing, mortise and tenoning, and biscuiting.
Project 1: Layout of a Pattern
Equipment:
• Tape Measure
• Combination Square
• T-Bevel
• Wood |
| Instruction Set 4 |
Hardware Fasteners
Identification and description of fasteners; selecting fasteners best suited for a given application.
Box Making Basics
Joinery techniques required in the construction of fine boxes; applying joinery techniques to practical projects.
Advanced Joinery
Techniques such as hidden dovetailing and complex joinery; other advanced joints and their applications.
Project 2: Joinery Technique (Dovetail)
Equipment:
• Hammer
• Chisel Set
• Dovetail Saw
• C-Clamp
• Wood |
| Instruction Set 5 |
Selecting and Preparing a Finish
Choosing a finish; brushable, wipe-on, and sprayable finishes; preparing the wood for application; degreasing and dewaxing; sanding; scraping vs. sanding.
Applying Finishes and Topcoats
Coloring wood; common types of stains; applying stains; applying brushable, wipe-on, and sprayable finishes.
Project 3: Finishing
Textbook: The Woodfinishing Book
Equipment:
Assorted Sandpaper
Water-Based Satin
Satin Brush |
| Instruction Set 6 |
Cabinet Design
How cabinets are designed into a kitchen; designs based on materials and hardware; lamination.
Cabinet Construction
Case and drawer construction; faces and pulls; finishing.
Installing
Countertops, backsplashes, and cabinet installation.
Textbook: Making Kitchen Cabinets
DVD: Making Kitchen Cabinets
Supplement: Suggested Activity Journal
Suggested Activity: Building a Shop Caddy (optional) |
| Instruction Set 7 |
Furniture Design
How tables, chairs, and other functional furnishings are designed; do’s and don’ts of furniture design; styles of furniture.
Gluing Panels
Explanation and procedure for the proper manner of gluing panels for furniture.
Shaker Table Construction
The shaker style; step-by-step procedure for construction of a shaker table.
DVD: Build a Shaker Table
Suggested Activity: Building a Shaker Table (optional) |
| Instruction Set 8 |
Refinishing Furniture
Restoring and replacing finishes; repairing the finishes; stripping the finish; preparing the surface; French polish, wax polish, oil finishes; paint, varnish, and lacquer.
Refacing Cabinets
Measuring for doors and drawer fronts; ordering materials; preparing for refacing; veneering face frames; refacing with plastic laminate.
Textbooks:
• Care and Repair of Furniture
• Refacing Cabinets
Suggested Activity: Refinishing Your Own Property (optional)
Supplement: Work Experience Option |
Program description: The Penn Foster Career School Furniture and Cabinet Maker Program helps you learn them quickly and conveniently. Learn woodworking techniques and create beautiful pieces of furniture in just a few months!
You'll learn about:
Fine woodworking, woodworking specialties,
and wood processing
Setting up your workplace, woodworking tools
and materials.
Joinery, box making basics, hardware fasteners, finishing wood
Cabinet design, construction, refinishing
and refacing.
Marketing your woodworking shop
And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!
Start a creative, moneymaking career in Furniture and Cabinet Making.
Why complete a training program to work in Furniture and Cabinet Making or woodworking? With the right credentials, techniques, and training, you can:
Work for a furniture retail store or furniture and cabinet repair shop.
Work at a home improvement store or for a cabinet manufacturer.
Start your own woodworking shop and specialize in custom furniture and cabinet making.
Woodworkers are needed by furniture and cabinet manufacturers, repair shops, and suppliers. Opportunity is everywhere!
Program Name:
Home Remodeling & Repair
| Instruction Set 1 |
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
Introduction to Home Remodeling
Career opportunities in home remodeling; licensing, contracting, and necessary equipment. |
| Instruction Set 2 |
Home Renovation
Evaluating interior and exterior areas of a house; important items to include in a master plan.
Practical Exercise
Textbook: Renovating Old Houses |
| Instruction Set 3 |
Building Materials and Fasteners
Inspecting materials for quality; fastening tools.
Tools and Scaffolds
Common hand tools; safe use of power tools; safe use of scaffolds.
Textbook: Carpentry |
| Instruction Set 4 |
Understanding Construction Drawings
Drawings included in a set of plans, common carpentry plan details.
Site Preparation, Building Layout, and Foundations
Materials used to reinforce concrete; solving water infiltration problems; waterproofing and insulating foundation walls.
Textbook: Blueprint Reading and Sketching for Carpenters
Equipment: Mechanical Drawing Kit |
| Instruction Set 5 |
Floor, Wall, and Stair Framing
Types of frame construction; exterior wall framing; choosing the right stairway design.
Roof Framing
Constructing gable, gambrel, hip, intersecting, shed and trussed roofs.
DVD: Framing Floors and Stairs |
| Instruction Set 6 |
Cornices and Roofing
Constructing cornices; estimating roof materials; repairing a roof leak.
Windows, Doors, and Siding
Installing windows; building and setting door frames; working with siding.
Insulation and Drywall Installation
How insulation works; when and how to insulate; installing and repairing drywall.
Interior Finish
Installing interior doors; installing window and closet trim.
Textbook: Drywall: Professional Techniques for Walls and Ceilings
DVD: Drywall Hanging and Taping |
| Instruction Set 7 |
Wiring
Fundamentals of electricity; fixtures; circuit breakers; wiring appliances.
Plumbing and Heating
Plumbing fixtures; cutting and joining pipe; operating principles of heating systems.
Kitchen Cabinets, Appliances, Fixtures, and Design
Constructing durable countertops; understanding how kitchen appliances work.
Bathroom Cabinets, Fixtures, and Design
Planning functional and aesthetic bathrooms; selecting flooring and fixtures; understanding all aspects of home plumbing.
Drawing Plans, Estimates, and Contracts
Drawing schedules; calculating project expenses; major categories that should be included in a bid.
Practical Exercise
Textbooks:
• Wiring a House
• Plumbing a House
• Complete Plumbing
• Product Specification Manual |
| Instruction Set 8 |
Project: Remodeling a Basement
Identifying tasks and materials; applying sealers; subfloor installation.
Project: Remodeling a Bathroom
Installing water pipes; installing fixtures; installing cabinets and countertops.
Project: Remodeling a Kitchen
Removing old cabinets and countertops; building soffits; installing kitchen cabinets.
Practical Exercise
DVD: Installing Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops |
| Instruction Set 9 |
Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 1
Design; estimate; contracts and permits.
Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 2
Foundation layout; excavation; installation; inspection.
Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 3
Preparing existing structure; framing, roofing and siding.
Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 4
Opening wall; tying in; leveling existing floors and ceilings.
Practical Exercise
DVD:
• Framing Walls; Framing Roofs |
| Instruction Set 10 |
Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 5
Plumbing, heating, and wiring
Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 6
Installing insulation and drywall; painting.
Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 7
Installing cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, and trim.
The Business of Home Remodeling
Financing your business; obtaining licenses; dealing with subcontractors; advertising.
Practical Exercise
DVD: Tiling Countertops |
Program description: Learn construction at home with the Home Remodeling and Repair training program from Penn Foster Career School.
Skilled Home Remodeling and Repair professionals are in demand around the nation to make old homes look like new. Plan renovations, prepare contracts and estimates, and choose the right materials for the job. The demand for Home Remodeling and Repair skills will provide the opportunity you've been looking for!
Receive hand-on training in:
* Evaluating interior and exterior areas of a house
* Inspecting building materials for quality
* Site preparation, building layout, and insulating foundations
* Floor, wall, and stair framing
* Drawing schedules and calculating project expenses
