Carpenter/Joiner

Introduction

Carpenters and Joiners use their skills to make structures and fittings such as windows, roofs, floors, walls and doors from wood and wood materials. They use a variety of hand and power tools to cut, shape and join the wood. Also known as

Joiner Woodworker Work Activities

As a Carpenter or Joiner, you will use your skills to make structures and fittings such as windows, doors, stairs, furniture and shop fittings from wood and wood materials.

You'll cut, shape and join wood using a wide range of tools including hammers, planes, chisels, screwdrivers and measuring tape. You might also get to use power tools and cutting machines.

Carpenters and Joiners have to study drawings, make calculations and select suitable materials to meet design requirements.

There are many different types of Carpenter and Joiner. Here are a couple of examples:

Bench Joiner - usually based in a workshop making things like doors, window frames and roof beams Site Carpenter - based on-site doing things like fitting door handles and locks, or repairing broken furniture

Health and safety is an important aspect of the job, so you will often need to wear some form of protective clothing. You might work in a workshop, or on a building site.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales. Personal Qualities and Skills

To become a Carpenter/Joiner, you'll need:

good hand skills to be physically fit number skills, as you will have to work out angles and measurements to pay attention to detail and have an eye for shape and colour a head for heights for any work up ladders or on scaffolding to be aware of the importance of health and safety in this industry

As you may have to travel around locally, a driving licence would be useful for this type of work.

This job might not be suitable for people who have skin conditions, such as eczema, or breathing complaints, such as asthma. Pay and Opportunities

Pay

Starting: £21,500 - £23,500 With experience: £25,000 - £28,500 Senior Carpenters/Joiners earn £30,000 - £33,000

Hours of work

Carpenter/Joiners usually work around 39 hours, Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime.

Where could I work?

Employers include building, construction and civil engineering companies of all sizes. These range from local building firms employing one or two operatives, to nationally known firms employing hundreds of people.

Opportunities for Carpenter/Joiners occur on building sites in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Self-employment

Opportunities occur for Carpenter/Joiners to work independently as self-employed sub-contractors.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on recruitment and employers' websites, and on Find a Job ( www.gov.uk/jobsearch).

Social media websites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, are a great way to network, find vacancies and get in contact with possible employers. Make sure that your profile presents you in a professional manner that will appeal to potential employers.

Take a look at our General Information Article 'Finding Work Online'. Entry Routes and Training

Entry

An apprenticeship is a great place to start. Take a look at our article 'Apprenticeships - How do I apply?' for more details on applying for apprenticeships.

There are various relevant vocational qualifications such as City & Guilds and BTECs. These courses may be in a more general subject area, such as construction. See below for more details.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

You need a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card to work on site. These cards show that you are qualified to do the work you've been employed for.

Training

Apprenticeships will usually involve work- and college-based training. You will also receive training in subjects like health and safety.

The Institute of Carpenters offers qualifications in carpentry and joinery. There are various levels of qualification. The one that you take depends on the amount of experience or training you have.

BTEC also offer a level 2 qualification in construction and the built environment. This course has a range of mandatory and optional units, which include:

construction principles construction design construction technology

Other courses could be available in your area.

Work Experience

Previous experience working in building or woodworking would be really useful for this career.

Progression

In the construction industry, it is possible to work up from craft-level positions to managerial roles, such as Construction Manager. Qualifications

Entry requirements vary. You do not always need educational qualifications to enter this type of work.

However, the following vocational qualifications could help you to stand out from the crowd:

City & Guilds level 2 or level 3 - carpentry & joinery City & Guilds level 2 or level 3 - construction

A T level qualification in onsite construction will help you to develop the skills you need to enter this career (not available in Wales).

To get onto a City & Guilds or BTEC level 3 qualification or an apprenticeship, you'll usually need five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English and maths.

To enter a City & Guilds or BTEC level 2 course in construction, you'll usually need at least 4 GCSEs at grades D-G or 3-1.

However, individual centres may have different entry requirements. You may be able to get on to one of the courses without any qualifications. Adult Opportunities

Age limits

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills/experience

Related skills, for example, in building or woodworking, are useful.

Courses

Many people go into this career via a Construction Building Intermediate Level Apprenticeship or Advanced Level Apprenticeship.

Funding

Grants are available from the Carpenters Company Charitable Trust.

Contacts

Apprenticeships: Get In. Go Far National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Tel: 0800 015 0400 Email: [email protected] Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

LGjobs Local government vacancies Website: www.lgjobs.com

Skills Development Scotland - Modern Apprenticeships Tel: 0800 9178000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/modernapprenticeships

myjobscotland: Scottish local government vacancies Scottish enquiries Email: [email protected] Website: www.myjobscotland.gov.uk

City & Guilds Address: 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1A 9DD Tel: 020 7294 2468 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cityandguilds.com

CITB-ConstructionSkills Skills for the construction industry Address: Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH Website: www.cskills.org

National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) Address: Carthusian Court, 12 Carthusian Street, London EC1M 6EZ Tel: 01342 326171 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nhtg.org.uk

CITB NI Northern Ireland Enquiries Address: Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, County Antrim BT29 4SR Tel: 028 9082 5466 Email: [email protected] Website: www.citbcsni.org.uk

Construction Employers Federation (CEF) Irish enquiries Address: 143 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6SU Tel: 028 9087 7143 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cefni.co.uk

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Address: Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH Tel: 0844 5768777 Website: www.cscs.uk.com

bConstructive

ScreenSkills Skills for the creative industries Email: [email protected] Website: www.creativeskillset.org

Creative Choices Publisher: Creative & Cultural Skills Email: [email protected] Website: www.creative-choices.co.uk

Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) Scottish enquiries Address: Crichton House, 4 Crichtons Close, Holyrood, Edinburgh EH8 8DT Tel: 0131 5568866 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sbatc.co.uk

Creative & Cultural Skills Skills for craft, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts Email: [email protected] Website: ccskills.org.uk

Institute of Carpenters (IOC) Address: 32 High Street, Wendover, Buckinghamshire HP22 6EA Tel: 0844 8797696 Email: [email protected] Website: www.instituteofcarpenters.com

Carpenters' Company Charitable Trust Address: Carpenters' Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2JJ Tel: 020 7588 7001 Website: www.thecarpenterscompany.co.uk/pages/charities/carpenters_company_charitable_trust1/default.aspx

The Doorway Timber careers Website: www.thedoorway.org.uk

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Address: Blue Court, Church Lane, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WD4 8JP Tel: 01923 260000 Email: [email protected] Website: careers.ecitb.org.uk

Northern Ireland Screen Northern Ireland Enquiries Email: [email protected] Website: www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk

Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships Tel: 0800 028 4844 Website: ams.careerswales.com/

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) - Northern Ireland Enquiries Website: www.citbni.org.uk/home.aspx Related Careers

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