Traditional apprenticeships: what could I do?

Last updated 22 Jan 2019

Although in recent years there has been a drive to create new and diverse modern apprenticeships, many people might be interested in more traditional ones, which lead to a job in craft or a traditional trade.

Here are some examples of what you could do.

Traditional craft Advanced Apprenticeships

Trainees attain a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction), specialising in masonry and wood occupations. Achievement of the qualification provides a route into the built heritage sector for those people working in mainstream construction, those seeking to change career or new entrants to the sector who wish to develop skills and expertise in the use of traditional building methods and materials.

Those taking this apprenticeship can go on to become self-employed Master Craftsmen, earning £40,000+ a year.

Carpentry and joinery Intermediate Apprenticeship

The occupation involves carrying out skilled work, primarily using timber products, either on a construction site, or in a workshop, creating and installing building components. Trainees learn to:

form and proportion joints; create, fit and assemble components to manufacture doors, windows with opening lights, units and/or fitments and staircases; specific joints required for site carpentry work, such as mitres, butt and halving joints; understand the characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, limitations and defects associated with timber and timber-based products and components, such as hardwood, softwood, MDF and other materials.

Apprentices can choose to go down the Site Carpenter route, or the Architectural Joiner route.

The standard for the apprenticeship was developed by leading industry organisations such as: The Construction Industry Training Board; Institution of Civil Engineers; The Chartered Institute of Building; Laing O’Rourke; Balfour Beatty; and Royal Engineers.

Welding Skills Intermediate Apprenticeship

Apprentices are trained in basic welding skills, building on previous experience / courses. Courses are available in the manual metal arc, oxycetleyne, MAGS and TIG welding processes.

Practical sessions are delivered in workshops, and assessment is ongoing through practical tasks.