Carpentry

Richard Tessier	Michael Jones

Instructor: Richard Tessier
Educational Technician: Michael Jones

The Instructor

Richard Tessier started teaching carpentry in 1986.  Prior to coming to S.R.V.C. he had sixteen years of trade experience with four years as a self-employed building contractor.  To keep abreast of changes, Mr. Tessier works summers and school vacations in the carpentry field.

Mr. Tessier graduated from Skowhegan Area High School.  He has a diploma in carpentry from Northern Maine Technical College, and a B.S. degree in Vocational Education from University of Southern Maine at Gorham.

Mr. Tessier is a Skowhegan native and is actively involved in his community.  He has served many years in Cub Scout programs, is a retired lieutenant with the Skowhegan Fire Department, and worked on many community service projects in Skowhegan and other surrounding communities.

When he is not working Mr. Tessier enjoys family activities with his wife and four sons and their families. He also enjoys camping, travel, and nature.

The carpentry program at S.R.V.C. is a two-year program that concentrates on the residential carpentry trade.  It is a hands-on program with approximately 25% classroom instruction and 75% real work experience.  With a low instructor-to-student ratio there is time for individual instruction and guided practice of the necessary skills.

During the two years, you will be involved in the construction of two houses from start to finish.  You will build several small buildings and work on various carpentry remodeling and repair projects around the school and other nonprofit organizations.

In your first year, you will receive instruction in the following units:

• Building materials
• Safety with hand and power tools
• Leveling instruments
• Footings and foundations
• Floor, wall and roof framing
• Roofing and siding materials
• Windows and doors
• Thermal and sound insulation
• Interior and exterior finish
• Employment seeking skills
• And other units

In your second year, you will receive instruction in the following unit:

• Review several units from first year
• Plans, specifications and codes
• Sketching and print reading
• Chimneys and fireplaces
• Finish flooring
• Stair construction
• Cabinet making
• Remodeling and renovation
• System built housing
• Electrical, Plumbing and Heating
• And other units

If you are interested in any of the thousands of construction careers, this program will serve as a good foundation to build your continued education on.  Graduates of the program are enjoying success as:

• General contractors
• Engineers
• Supervisors
• Residential carpenters
• Business owners
• Industrial construction workers
• Metal fabricators, and many others.

You will learn to work cooperatively in groups to complete any given project.  You will experience organizational and leadership skills that will help you enjoy success in the workplace.  You will be exposed to estimating and small business management of the construction jobs you are involved in.

Your opportunities today in the construction field are better that ever.  The income, benefits, and work conditions are on a constant upward move because of the lack of quality people going into hands-on trades.

It is only work if you don’t enjoy doing it!