The British Woodworking Federation Group
Kick Start Your Apprenticeship

Kick Start Your Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is the ideal way to kick-start a career, offering structured training whilst also getting hands-on work experience in a mentored environment. The woodworking and joinery manufacture industry offers excellent job prospects, varied and interesting work and a multitude of progression options.

Whether it be becoming a skilled carpenter, architectural joiner, machine operative, wood product manufacturing operative, senior estimator or leading construction projects, there are a range of possibilities and, if you aspire to run your own business too, we can point to many successful businesses started by an ex-apprentice.

Apprenticeships work for the employer too, with apprentices helping to introduce fresh ideas and new ways of working into the business.

Benefits of becoming an apprentice

  • Earn while you learn – achieve an income whilst learning to do the job in your chosen profession.
  • Train in the skills employers want – learn the skills employers need to undertake their work
  • Excellent progression opportunities – can progress onto Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications – further enhancing your CV
  • Increased future earning potential – enjoy potential marked salary increases when you complete your apprenticeship
  • Become more confident – become more independent, confident and self-assured
  • Learn key skills – learn the key behaviours needed to undertake your role. Maths and English qualifications are embedded within apprenticeships ensuring you have the skills that our employers are looking for

Carpentry and Joinery Level 2

This apprenticeship involves carrying out skilled work, primarily using timber components, either on a construction site, or in a workshop creating and installing building products. There are 2 individual pathways available:

Pathway 1: Site Carpenter

  • Will normally work on a building site or in domestic and commercial premises
  • Prepares and fixes timber building components on site, from the initial erection of a new building through to the installation of all necessary fixtures and fittings.
  • Carries out a range of repair and maintenance activities to existing buildings

Pathway 2: Architectural Joiner

  • Will normally be employed in a workshop producing timber-based building components and other architectural joinery products
  • Timber products include doors, windows, units, and staircases, which are then transported to construction sites to be installed by site carpenters

Advanced Carpentry and Joinery Level 3

This apprenticeship involves carrying out advanced skilled work of a more complex nature, primarily using timber products, either on a construction site, or in a workshop, creating and installing building components. There are 2 individual pathways available:

Pathway 1: Advanced Site Carpenter

  • Will normally work on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises, preparing and installing complex and often bespoke building components and products

Pathway 2: Advanced Architectural Joiner

  • Will normally be employed in a workshop, producing complex building components and products by setting out, marking out, manufacturing, and assembling bespoke architectural products

Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2

  • This occupation is found in the manufacturing sector, producing high volume, engineered timber products
  • Manufacturing and producing a wide range of and varied products for both external and interior applications, products such as roofing components, windows, doors, door- sets, staircases, and other timber construction products
  • Workplaces can be wide ranging from small workshops to large state of the art manufacturing facilities

Want to know more?

For more information about each of these apprenticeships, including the course duration and occupation duties, CLICK HERE

Additional Support

For more information on becoming an apprentice please visit: Become an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk)

Or visit Go Construct:

Apprenticeships | Go Construct

For more information on apprenticeships in Scotland visit: Apprenticeships | Apprenticeships.scot: Work, Learn & Earn

For more information on apprenticeships in Wales visit: Apprenticeships | Business Wales Skills Gateway (gov.wales)

For more information on apprenticeships in Northern Ireland visit: Apprenticeships | nidirect

Member of Construction Products Association
National Specialist Contractors Council
Passive Fire Protection Federation
CITB
The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products