Volunteer Instructors: Shape the Future of the Trades
You spent your career building. Now, it’s time to build people.
The Florida International Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Program invites retired carpenters, contractors, and skilled tradespeople to give back by becoming volunteer instructors, mentors, and role models. Whether you worked residential or commercial, union or independent, your knowledge still matters—and the next generation needs it.
This is your chance to change lives and shape the future of the industry.
Why Volunteer?
Because your experience is worth more than retirement.
You’ve got skills no textbook can teach—little tricks that make jobs faster, safer, and cleaner. You’ve got stories that inspire. Lessons that stick. Wisdom that comes from decades on the job. If you don’t pass it on, it could be lost.
Volunteering isn’t about teaching full-time. It’s about showing up once in a while and making it count.
What You’ll Do:
- Help teach apprentices during evening or weekend classes
- Share hands-on knowledge that goes beyond the manual
- Mentor new tradespeople on attitude, work ethic, and professionalism
- Be a voice they trust and a face they’ll remember
What We Provide:
- Flexible scheduling: volunteer just a few hours a month
- Ready-to-go curriculum: you focus on teaching, we handle logistics
- Free online training (FACTE certification) if you need it
- Support from a growing nonprofit and an established GNJ apprenticeship network
- A classroom or jobsite environment that respects your time and skills
Who This Is For:
- Retired or semi-retired carpenters, framers, form workers, finishers
- Skilled tradespeople who want to give back to the community
- Contractors looking to leave a legacy
- Anyone who believes that trades should be taught, not just tested
How to Get Involved
We’ve made it easy. Just [Download the Volunteer Instruction Packet] or [Contact Us] and we’ll walk you through how to register, get cleared, and start teaching on your terms.
Shape the future. Change lives. Pass on your wisdom.
You didn’t just build buildings—you built a career. Now help someone else do the same.