good. Therefore, the number of jobs in any year will be different from area to area. Construction jobs will increase as people want new houses and firms want to make old buildings new again. Building things depends on the economy. When the economy is not doing so well, there are a smaller number of jobs for carpenters. New and improved tools make the job of a carpenter more flexible. Therefore, carpenters with all-around skills may get better projects than those who can only do simple tasks. Job Outlook Job opportunities for carpenters are expected to be plentiful through the year 2008, due primarily to extensive replacement needs. Thousands of job openings will become available each year as carpenters transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. The total number of job openings for carpenters is usually greater than for other craft occupations, because the carpentry occupation is large and the turnover rate is high. Because there are no strict training requirements for entry, many people with limited skills take jobs as carpenters but eventually leave the occupation because they dislike the work or cannot find steady employment. However, employment of carpenters is expected to increase for all occupations through the year 2008. Increased demand for carpenters will create additional job openings. Construction activity should increase slowly, in response to demand for new housing and commercial and industrial plants and the need to renovate and modernize existing structures. Opportunities for frame carpenters should be particularly good. However, the demand for carpenters will be offset somewhat by expected productivity gains resulting from the increasing use of prefabricated components, such as prehung doors and windows and prefabricated wall panels and stairs, which can be installed very quickly. Prefabricated walls, partitions, and stairs can be lifted into place in one operation; beams—and in some c...
