Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship

Using timber products to create and install building components.

Course overview

The broad purpose of the occupation is working with building materials (most often wood) to create and install building components. This typically involves shaping and cutting materials, installing finished materials like partitions, doors, staircases, window frames, mouldings, timber floor coverings and erecting structural components such as floor joists and roofs. All work needs to be carried out safely, using the appropriate tools and to the quality specified.

This occupation includes two different options and people will either work on a construction site as a Site Carpenter or in a workshop as an Architectural Joiner.

A Site Carpenter will prepare and install basic building components e.g. doors, straight staircases, wall and floor units and erecting structural carpentry and roof structures on a building site or in domestic and commercial premises.

An Architectural Joiner will produce building components by setting out, marking out and manufacturing basic architectural products, including doors, windows, straight staircases and associated ironmongery.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other construction trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and plumbers, supervisors, site management, architects, designers, contractors and customers. A Site Carpenter would generally liaise with other trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and plumbers, supervisors, site management and contractors. Architectural joiners would liaise with other workshop colleagues and supervisors as well as architects, designers and customers. An employee in either option of this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, under supervision, using machinery and/or tools to create structures or components from designs, plans and specifications that meet the client’s expectations.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, under supervision, using machinery and tools to create structures or components from the designs, plans and specifications of architects and designers that meet the clients expectations. On site these could include roof structures, floors, partitions and second fix work such as door frames and skirting. As an architectural joiner, they could include doors, windows and stairs, including all ironmongery.

The learner journey

1. 24 months on-programme – This is when the individual will learn the skills, knowledge and behaviours which will support them for their End-Point Assessment. The learner could partake in a combination of activities, such as classroom based sessions, mentoring, shadowing, bespoke resources and off-site visits in order to support their learning and development.

You will be required to spend at least six hours a week on off-the-job training in order to meet the course requirements.

2. Gateway – After the 24 months teaching and learning, you, your training provider and the learner will review the learners journey and decide whether it is the right time for the on-programme assessment.

3. End-Point Assessment – This is when your learner will need to demonstrate they have learnt the required knowledge, skills and behaviours, through an on demand knowledge test, a professional discussion, practical observation and business project.

Eligibility

Those with an annual wage bill of less than £3m do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy. Instead, 95% of each apprenticeship is funded by the government whilst a 5% investment is required by the employer to enhance the skills of their employee.

Employers are also be eligible for a £1000 incentive payment if the apprentice is aged 16–18.
Employers with less than 50 employees and where the apprentice is aged 16–18, the government will fund 100% of the apprentice and are eligible for a £1000 incentive payment.
Employers with those aged 19+ the government will continue to fund 95% of the apprenticeship programme whilst a 5% investment is required by the employer.

Businesses can manage this through the Apprenticeship Service online account.