Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship
Carpentry and Joinery involves carrying out skilled work, primarily using timber products, either on a construction site or in a workshop, creating and installing building components.
This is a core and options Apprenticeship, with two pathways:
As a Site Carpenter Apprentice, you will normally work on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises, preparing and fixing building components, from the initial erection of a new building, through to the installation of all necessary fixtures and fittings, as well as a range of repair and maintenance activities.
As an Architectural Joiner Apprentice, you will normally be employed in a workshop producing timber-based building components and other architectural products, such as doors, windows, units and staircases, which are then transported to construction sites to be installed by site carpenters.
As part of the Apprenticeship, you will have monthly workplace visits from a Learning Development Advisor, with 6 hours per week off the job training which will be tracked. You will build a portfolio showing your work-based evidence.
What you will study
- Health, safety and environmental responsibilities within the construction industry, including safe working practices and risk management
- The correct use of PPE, RPE and workplace safety equipment
- Sustainability in construction, including responsible use of materials, recycling and sustainable forestry
- Construction technology, building methods and modern methods of construction
- Building regulations, industry standards and quality requirements relevant to carpentry and joinery
- Reading and interpreting construction drawings, specifications and technical information
- Timber and timber-based materials, their properties, uses and methods of repair
- Carpentry and joinery materials, fixings, fittings and ironmongery
- Estimating materials, producing cutting lists and planning work efficiently
- The safe use, maintenance and storage of hand and power tools
- Measuring, setting out, marking, cutting and assembling timber components
- Site carpentry techniques, including roofing, floor structures, partitions, staircases, doors and internal fittings
- Joinery manufacturing techniques, including windows, doors, staircases and bespoke timber products
- Finishing and protective treatments for timber products
- Effective communication, teamwork and professional behaviour in the workplace
- Equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing within the construction industry
- Employment opportunities, self-employment and business fundamentals within the trade
- Work safely and responsibly in line with construction health, safety and environmental requirements
- Use PPE, RPE, dust control measures and other safety equipment correctly
- Read and interpret technical drawings, specifications and work instructions
- Estimate materials and prepare cutting lists for carpentry and joinery projects
- Select, use, maintain and store hand and power tools safely and effectively
- Produce jigs and templates to support accurate construction and manufacturing
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and customers using industry terminology
- Apply first-fix carpentry techniques, including floors, partitions, stair structures and structural timber work
- Install structural fixings and work accurately from timber sizing information
- Apply second-fix carpentry techniques, including doors, skirting, architraves, cladding, window boards and fitted units
- Construct and install roof structures, including traditional and prefabricated roof systems
- Measure, mark out, cut, shape and join timber components accurately
- Use laser levels and other equipment to ensure accuracy
- Manufacture and assemble joinery products, including doors, windows, stair components and fitted units
- Install ironmongery such as hinges, handles, locks and fittings
- Operate fixed woodworking machinery safely and efficiently
- Work effectively as part of a team while maintaining personal wellbeing and professional standards
- Put health, safety and wellbeing first
- Consider the environment when using resources and carrying out processes
- Contribute to an inclusive and diverse culture
- Seek learning and development opportunities
- Team-focus to meet team goals including, considering the wider build team
What's Next?
Careers
- Site Carpenter
- Architectural Joiner
- Cabinet Maker
- Bench Joiner
- Project Manager
- Designer
