Jonathan is a father to one son and two daughters; he loves hunting, camping, hiking and building things. After spending some time in Phoenix, Arizona, where he studied motorcycle mechanics, Jonathan discovered that fixing bikes was not really what he wanted to spend his life doing. He began exploring the BATC Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program and enrolled in January 2016. Having been born and raised in Cache Valley, going to BATC was what he called a no brainer. “It’s local. The price is right. The shop is great and the instructors are fun.” Because every project they build in the program has a purpose, the results are built up to professional-level expectations, a unique experience which has intensified the overall training he has received.
The Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program offers curriculum that simulates the cabinet shop experience and allows the student to work as a team member in kitchen and other cabinet applications. Students are trained in shop safety, machine operation, planning, estimating and design, cabinetmaking, millwork, patternmaking, jigs and fixtures, finish application, and installation leaving them prepared to enter the job market as an entry-level cabinetmaker, cabinetmaker assistant, millworker, finisher, installer, and many other options. And Jonathan wants options.
Jonathan wanted a career that would support his family while doing something he loves. “I like to be a perfectionist,” he states. “I care too much about things done perfectly. I’ve found that the price you see on the showroom floor really is a reflection of how much time and effort they put into the product. Cabinetmaking is the best fit for me because I can make a piece of art; I can make something with purpose.”
BATC Instructor Eric Bowen says this about Jonathan: "Jonathan is a meticulous craftsman who will not settle for an inferior product. He is extremely resourceful in solving problems and excels in making sure the project looks professional for the customer. He is always anxious to move onto the next job and his contribution to the design process of the kitchens we build is highly respected. He thinks things through thoroughly; he will make an excellent employee wherever he goes."
Someday Jonathan wants to manage his own shop where he can build quality furniture and home theatres as well as pursue his passion for cabinetmaking. After ten months of hands-on training, he will complete his certificate in November. What advice would he have for anyone looking into schooling? ” I took woodworking in high school and, though I enjoyed it, I never considered it for a career. Now I really enjoy it. So, it’s important to taste test. It’s hard to know what you like until you try it.”
For more info about the Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program. click here.