I want to be a
Carpenter
I want to be a Carpenter
CARPENTRY COURSES FOR 16-19 YEAR OLDS
Carpenters and joiners make and install wooden structures, fittings and furniture.
SALARIES: range from £17,000 to £38,000 a year dependent on experience.
Depending on where you work, you could:
- Discuss plans and job instructions with clients or site managers.
- Cut and shape timber for floorboards, doors, skirting boards and window frames.
- Make and fit structures like staircases, door frames, roof timbers and partition walls.
- Assemble fitted and free-standing furniture.
- Install kitchens, cupboards and shelving.
- Build wooden supports called shuttering which holds concrete that has not dried yet in place.
- Fit interiors in shops, bars, restaurants, offices and public buildings.
- Construct stage sets for theatre, film and TV productions.
You could work in a workshop, at a client’s business, on a construction site or at a client’s home. Your working environment may be dusty, at height and you’ll travel often.
WE CAN GET YOU ON THE RIGHT QUALIFICATION Below you will see you have a couple of options. You can apply for the vocational qualification (full-time course in the campus workshops), there is no need to pick a Level (Level 1 or Level 2) as this depends on your grades which will be discussed during enrolment, OR you can apply for an apprenticeship where you will be based in the workplace. Click on the buttons below to find out more ...
CAREER PATH FOR CARPENTRY
With experience, you could become a site supervisor or construction project manager. You could also move into:
WORKING WITH KEY EMPLOYERS
Our Construction Career Excellence Hub is endorsed by leading employers, and they are actively involved throughout your whole training programme.
Here is an example of how employers will be getting involved with your programme:
- They will co-design your training programme to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed for industry
- They will help to create an inspirational learning experience for you
- Provide the skills training required for wider industry
- Provide opportunities to you, through industry placements
- Assist in building your professional identity, through online networking.
PROGRESSION ROUTES
Once you’ve completed your course, there are several options for you to further develop your skills and knowledge...
If you completed a Level 1, or Level 2 course, you can continue to progress to the next level course, your tutor will be able to discuss your options with you.
We also offer a Construction T Level programme, which is a mixture of college and work-based learning designed to give you the technical skills and workplace experience to kick-start your construction career.
Technical areas of study could include Surveying, design, civil engineering, planning and emerging technologies such as drone surveying and BIM.
An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the construction industry. Not only will you get the opportunity to get your foot in the door with a local or national company, you will also be able to earn while you learn.
Through apprenticeships you will work closely with an experienced tradesperson to develop and practice your skills, all whist receiving the benefits that being a student brings.
We have several degree options on offer at UCW, which will allow you to further develop your knowledge. UCW is rated as Gold in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework, meaning the teaching, learning and opportunities we provide are of the highest quality in Britain.
There are several degree options available in construction, which could lead you on to a career as an architect, site managers, project managers and surveyors. You can find the full UCW course list, here.
LATEST NEWS
<p>Carpentry is an exciting trade, which is in high demand! It is a very skilled trade, with carpenters using natural materials (wood/timber) to cut, shape and install wooden structures, fittings and furniture.</p>
<p>In the UK there are more than 5,000 organisations who recruit carpenters, with an estimated turnover of nearly £4 billion.</p>
<p>With so much demand, you might be wondering how to become a carpenter? Well, you’ve come to the right place!</p>
<p>There are several different routes you can take to become a carpenter or joiner. You might be someone that is looking to earn while they learn, and the good news is, you can do this through an apprenticeship. Or you might be someone that wants to complete a course to learn some skills before entering the carpentry – whether this be full-time or part-time with evening courses.</p>
<p>Let’s look at the options in a little bit more detail.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>Apprenticeships</strong></h2>
<p>An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the industry, and can be a great way to get your foot in the door with a local organisation that is looking to grow and develop their workforce.</p>
<p>Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, so you could be a school leaver, or someone that wants to turn their passion into a career. As an apprentice you will be employed by the company, and complete training at college – you will be expected to work at least 30 hours a week, with the rest of your hours being training.</p>
<p>You can complete apprenticeships at a number of Levels, depending on your experience and skill level. At Weston College, we offer several different carpentry apprenticeships, click the course below to find out more:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/carp… and Joinery Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/site… Carpentry Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/c… and Joinery Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… Carpentry Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
</ul>
<p>Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you can either further your development by studying the next level, or go into full-time work.</p>
<p>Before you work on a construction site, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>College Courses</strong></h2>
<p>If you would prefer to study at College, there are a range of options available, from full-time courses to shorter part-time courses.</p>
<p>We offer courses for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… 1, Level 2 and Level 3</a>, which all aim to develop your skills and prepare you for life as a carpenter.</p>
<p>On our full-time courses you will be part of our Construction Career Excellence Hub, which means that you will get unrivalled access to employers, with opportunities for work experience, master classes and hearing from industry insiders. Our construction courses are all endorsed by organisations from industry.</p>
<p>We also offer <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… adult courses in Carpentry</a>, which allow you to sharpen your skills and are a great opportunity to change careers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you'd like to find out more about a career in carpentry, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events?utm_source=main-menu&am… along to one of our open evenings</a> and chat to the team, they will be more than happy to help!</p>
Alfred
Carpentry
The tools and resources that we have in the workshop are superb and are all applicable to the industry so I'm at my happiest when I'm getting my hands dirty
