Carpentry & Joinery

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. This is a core and options apprenticeship, with two pathways:

Pathway 1: A Site Carpenter 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.

Pathway 2: An Architectural Joiner 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.

Skills

Core Skills

On completion of this apprenticeship, carpentry and joinery workers will be able to:

Work safely and be aware of key health, safety and welfare issues.
Plan and carry out their work to commercial standards of quality and speed.
Move, handle and store resources, such as materials and timber components, complying with relevant legislation & guidance.
Interpret and follow verbal and written work instructions from trade supervisors and site managers
Select the required materials to carry out the work, such as correct timber, tools and fixings.
Access, interpret and use drawings and specifications to carry out their work

Pathway 1: Specific Site Carpentry Skill Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, site carpenters will have acquired occupational skills to be able to:

Carry out a range of job tasks including measuring, marking out, fitting, cutting, splicing, finishing, positioning and securing.
Install door and window frames, door and hatch linings, floor joist coverings, straight partitions and straight staircases.
Install doors, ironmongery, service encasements, wall and floor units and fitments, cladding and staircase components.
Erect inclined roofs with gables, joists, roof coverings and roof components.
Repair or replace frames, mouldings, doors, windows, door and window ironmongery, roofing components, guttering and downpipes and window components.
Use, maintain and store hand tools, power tools and associated equipment.

Pathway 2: Specific Architectural Joiner Skill Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, architectural joiners will have acquired occupational skills to be able to:

Carry out a range of job tasks including drawing, measuring, marking out, fitting, finishing, positioning and securing.
Produce setting out details for the manufacture of doors, windows and opening lights, units and stairs.
Mark out timber from setting out details for the manufacture of doors, windows and opening lights, units and/or fitments and staircases.
Create, fit and assemble components to manufacture doors, windows with opening lights, units and/or fitments and staircases.
Use, maintain and store specific architectural joinery tools and equipment, such as marking and testing tools, power tools and hand tools

Knowledge

Core Knowledge

On completion of this apprenticeship, carpentry and joinery workers will have the following core knowledge to:

Understand the principles of health, safety and welfare and how these are applied in the workplace.
Understand how to communicate with others and comply with instructions and directions.
Understand the different techniques and methods used to move, handle and store materials.
Understand how to interpret and use relevant product information and specifications.
Understand their responsibilities under current employment and safety legislation, such as The Health & Safety at Work Act
Understand how to calculate quantity, length, area and wastage of resources.
Understand the needs of other workers and how to work effectively with others.
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.

Pathway 1: Specific Site Carpentry Knowledge Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, site carpenters will have the occupational knowledge to:

Understand the technical principles of site carpentry work and how these are applied to prepare and fix timber and timber based products, erect inclined roofs, maintain and repair building components.
Understand how to form specific joints required for site carpentry work, such as mitres, butt and halving joints
Understand why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking site carpentry work (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
Understand how to work safely at height and use access equipment correctly.
Know how to use, maintain and store hand tools, power tools and associated equipment

Pathway 2: Specific Architectural Joiner Knowledge Requirements

On completion of this apprenticeship, architectural joiners will have the occupational knowledge to:

Understand the technical principles of architectural joinery and how they are applied in routine tasks, such as setting out and producing cutting lists, marking out from setting out details and producing cutting lists, fitting and assembling routine products.
Understand how to accurately take site and workplace dimensions.
Understand how to form and proportion joints associated with architectural joinery work, such as mortice and tenon, dovetail and comb joints.
Understand why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking architectural joinery work (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
Understand how to use, maintain and store marking and testing tools, hand tools, power tools and associated equipment.
Understand how to requisition architectural joinery materials, such as timber, adhesives and fixings.
Understand how to work at height and use access equipment safely.

Behaviours

Effective communication: oral, written, listening, body language, presentation.
Effective team working: work effectively with others with limited supervision.
Independent working: take responsibility for completing their own work.
Logical thinking: use clear and valid reasoning when making decisions
Working effectively: undertake the work in a reliable and productive manner.
Time management: use own time effectively to complete the work on schedule.
Adaptability: be able to adjust to changes to work instructions.

Duration

18 – 24 months

Professional Qualifications / Recognition

This is a Level 2 apprenticeship.

Apprentices must achieve a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to demonstrate competency in their chosen occupation

Pathway 1: NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Wood Occupations – Site Carpentry
Pathway 2: NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Wood Occupations – Architectural Joinery

Apprentices must complete, or have previously completed recognised English and Mathematics Level 1 qualifications and aspire to achieve English and Mathematics Level 2 qualifications during the apprenticeship.

Assessment will take place both during and at the end of the apprenticeship, with completion being dependent on successful achievement of the qualification elements and the endorsement of the employer after a professional discussion, with the apprentice and training provider.

On completion of this standard, some apprentices may progress onto the Advanced Apprenticeship Standard in Carpentry and Joinery, or secure employment as a Site Carpenter or Architectural Joiner.

The achievement of this standard will meet the requirements of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) ‘Skilled Worker’ standard, which is widely accepted in the sector as a ‘licence to operate’ in a skilled construction trade.

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.