Apprentice Joiner

Summary

Join our workshop as an Apprentice Wood Machinist/Bench Joiner and develop practical skills in woodworking, joinery, machinery, setting out and assembly. You’ll work alongside experienced tradespeople while gaining hands-on experience and working towards a recognised Joinery/Wood Machining apprenticeship.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Carpentry and joinery (level 2)

Hours

Monday-Thursday.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

1 year 7 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

We are looking for a motivated and reliable Apprentice Wood Machinist / Bench Joiner to join our workshop team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in woodworking and joinery who would like to develop practical skills within a professional workshop environment. You will work alongside experienced tradespeople, gaining hands-on experience in the manufacture and assembly of architectural joinery products while working towards your apprenticeship qualification.

You will receive training in a range of joinery techniques, tools and machinery, as well as learning how to read and interpret workshop drawings, cutting lists and setting-out details.

Your duties will include:

• Assisting with the manufacture and assembly of timber and architectural joinery products.
• Preparing timber, materials and components for production.
• Learning to use woodworking machinery, power tools and hand tools safely.
• Reading and interpreting workshop drawings and cutting lists.
• Learning how to accurately measure, mark out and set out joinery components.
• Supporting experienced joiners with routine workshop tasks.
• Developing practical knowledge of traditional joinery joints and construction methods.
• Learning to use measuring and marking equipment correctly.
• Assisting with timber assembly, fixing and finishing techniques.
• Maintaining a clean, organised and safe workshop environment.
• Correctly storing tools, materials and equipment after use.
• Following company health and safety procedures at all times.
• Working to required quality standards and production deadlines.

As you progress, you will develop knowledge and practical experience in a wide range of areas. 

You will also gain experience using a range of tools and equipment, including chisels, planes, handsaws, hammers and mallets, as well as power tools such as sanders, routers and drills.

Where you'll work

Howden Road
Newton Aycliffe
DL5 6EU

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NOTTINGHAM COLLEGE

Training course

Carpentry and joinery (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Identify and use safety control equipment, for example, RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
• Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
• Interpret and use information from drawings and specifications.
• Estimate required materials and produce a cutting list.
• Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
• Select, use and store hand tools.
• Select, use and store power tools.
• Maintain and sharpen hand tools.
• Produce jigs.
• Identifies well-being support available to self and others.
• Site carpenter: Apply first fix techniques and practices for: 1. structural carcassing (load bearing studwork), 2. straight timber or metal partition walls, 3. floor joists 4. floor joist coverings and 5. straight flights of stairs.
• Site carpenter: Install structural fixings.
• Site carpenter: Size timber from sizing tables.
• Site carpenter: Apply site second fix techniques and practices for: 1. service encasement, 2. cladding 3. wall and floor units and fitments, 4. handrails and spindles to straight flights of stairs, 5. internal and external doors, 6. skirting boards and architrave, 7. window boards.
• Site carpenter: Apply site carpenter techniques and practices to construction of rafter roofs, including trussed (prefabricated) and traditional (built on site) including the construction of verge, eaves and fitting loft access.
• Site carpenter: Use and store laser levels for example cross line laser.
• Site carpenter: Form connections, for example, using joints, nails, screws, bolts and adhesive.
• Site carpenter: Apply measuring, marking out, cutting (square and angled), mitring, hinging and recessing techniques.
• Site carpenter: Carrying out splicing and scribing techniques.
• Architectural joiner: Produce setting out details, including setting rods, and mark out for timber products.
• Architectural joiner: Produce basic woodworking joints including dovetail, bridal, mortise and tenon and halving.
• Architectural joiner: Form connections using dowels, biscuit, staples and adhesives.
• Architectural joiner: Apply techniques and practices to the manufacture and assembly of a timber window with casement including glazing rebates and associated ironmongery.
• Architectural joiner: Apply manufacture and assembly techniques for first fix products: 1. straight staircases, 2. door frames and linings.
• Architectural joiner: Apply manufacture and assembly techniques for second fix products: 1. timber doors, 2. wall and floor units, 3. timber mouldings, 4. staircase spindles and balustrades.
• Architectural joiner: Fit ironmongery including door locks, door handles, door hinges, latches and draw runners.
• Architectural joiner: Inspect, prepare and operate fixed machinery.
• Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Identify and use safety control equipment, for example, RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
• Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
• Interpret and use information from drawings and specifications.
• Estimate required materials and produce a cutting list.
• Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
• Select, use and store hand tools.
• Select, use and store power tools.
• Maintain and sharpen hand tools.
• Produce jigs.
• Identifies well-being support available to self and others.

Training schedule

Training to be delivered on site and at college, college day is 1 day a week. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• Maths (grade 4)
• English (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

This is a hands-on workshop-based role involving practical woodworking, machinery and manual handling. You will be required to follow strict health and safety procedures and wear appropriate PPE. 

The role involves working on your feet and handling timber and other materials. Working hours are Monday to Thursday, 6:30am–4:45pm