The Timber Frame Apprenticeship Program
This program is all about Learning While Doing.
Apprentices stay for 4 weeks at a time, and learn timber framing, natural building, carpentry and even some wilderness survival skills in their stay at Hawk Circle.
Each week is filled with lessons, and opportunities for making pegs, cutting mortises and tenons, moving beams, drilling holes, sharpening chisels, sawing, designing, layout and much more.
Apprentices learn and practice timber framing from Monday through Friday, with Sat-Sun off. This time can be spent on personal projects or enjoying the Hawk Circle Campus and surrounding countryside.
The benefits of spending a month at Hawk Circle lies in the opportunity to work on several projects, see your skills grow each week through repetition, and in the experience of living in a community of motivated, excited people.
Participants also get an opportunity to use the tools here in our shop, so they don't have to purchase many tools before getting a chance to try them out. Personal safety equipment and basic building tools are required, and all apprentices get a list of clothing, gear and tools upon acceptance into the program.
We take a maximum of five apprentices at a time, and the cost for this program is $400 per week, for a total of $1,600. Food is not provided during the apprenticeship, except when there are youth programs or adult workshops that provide food.
Housing is in tents or camp cabins or in a shared room in the Hawk Circle Farmhouse., depending on availability.
More than just a timber framing program, we also have ample time to observe your work ethics, support your independent learning, and provide strong references for future job positions.
Program Details:
Timber Framing Tool Use and Care Mortise Cutting
Beam Sawing Techniques Tenon Cutting
Rafter Cutting Floor Joist Cutting
Sill Beam Cutting Knee Brace Cutting
Plate Beam Cutting Post Beam Cutting
Girt Beam Cutting Tie Beam Cutting
Dovetail Mortises Thru Mortises
Chisel Sharpening Methods Hard Wood Peg Carving
Drilling and Assembling Frames Safe Beam Moving
Tool Repair and Re-Handling Beam Layout & Measuring
Frame Design and Support Structure Tree Identification
Timber Framing History Work Safety & Gear
Natural Clay Building & Insulation Carpentry Skills
Business Skills and Pricing Frame Raising Skills
All wood, tools and materials are provided during the program.
(Note: Students who want to work on special personal projects may be asked to pay for the direct costs of the materials for that project if they wish to take it home.)
Time Off: Participants may arrange for time off with advance notice if projects allow.
Requirements:
Apprentices must be 18 or over, and in good physical condition.
(Timber Framing is physically rigorous at times!)
Must have proof of medical insurance.
Work Clothes/Boots/Gloves/Ear Protection/Eye Protection/Hat/Sunscreen
Must have food money sufficient for the duration of the program
Must keep their work station and shop clean
Must adhere to community standards for behavior and cleanliness
Must stay for the full four weeks of the program
Our Apprenticeship Program dates: May 2-29, 2021
Click Here for the 2021 Spring Apprenticeship Program Details.
Potential apprentices should contact us at to arrange an interview or a visit, to see if you are a good fit for this program.