Carpentry Apprenticeships

What is Carpentry?

Carpentry is one of the oldest of construction trades. Wood and timber is cut and joined to create fixtures, fittings and structural construction elements. An apprenticeship is a popular way to become a carpenter, because you can learn carpentry skills and earn a salary at the same time.

Carpenters working on building site marking wood to be cut

How do carpentry apprenticeships work?

A Level 2 carpentry and joinery apprenticeship is spent working with an employer, in which apprentices receive training in the skills they will need for working as a site carpenter or architectural joiner. A full-time apprenticeship is like a full-time job – carpentry apprentices earn a salary. You can expect to work around 30 hours per week, plus a day of study at a college or training provider.

How long are carpentry apprenticeships?

The Level 2 carpentry and joinery apprenticeship is a 24-month programme.

How much will I earn as a carpentry apprentice?

Carpentry apprentices are entitled to be paid at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage – the levels of this depend on their age.

A carpentry apprentice is paid for:

Their normal working hours
Training that is part of their apprenticeship
Study towards maths and English qualifications if they are part of your apprenticeship

Also, you are entitled to the minimum holiday allowance of at least 20 days per year plus Bank Holidays.

What types of carpentry apprenticeships are available?

In England the Level 2 carpentry and joinery apprenticeship is the standard that carpenters must achieve before becoming a qualified site carpenter or joiner. There are various Level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship qualifications allowing for specialisation in a particular area of carpentry, including craft carpentry and joinery.

The apprentice pathway to a career in carpentry and joinery in Scotland is via a Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Construction: Building.

In Wales the Level 2 carpentry and joinery apprenticeship is the standard that carpenters must achieve before becoming a qualified site carpenter or joiner. There are various Level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship qualifications allowing for specialisation in a particular area of carpentry, including craft carpentry and joinery.

What will you learn during a carpentry apprenticeship?

Carpentry apprentices will learn how to undertake the following tasks during the course of their apprenticeship, both through their formal training and by shadowing their colleagues on construction sites and in workshops:

Working in compliance with health and safety and environmental standards
Measuring, marking up, setting out
Cutting, shaping, fitting and finishing timber
First fixing and second fixing
Selecting, maintaining, using and storing hand and power tools
Installing floor joists, floorboards, roof trusses and wall partitions
Fitting interiors such as staircases, doors, skirting boards, cupboards and kitchens
Putting up frames for bridges, roads, dams and buildings
Drawing and working with technical drawings
Gaining knowledge of different types of wood and their uses
Maintaining safe working areas
Estimating required materials

Qualifications required to become a carpenter

There are no formal entry requirements for carpentry apprentices in England, but applicants should have the Functional Skills Level 1 in English and Maths.

To become a carpenter or joiner in Scotland, you need to have completed the Modern Apprenticeship in Construction: Building. The entrance criteria for this Level 3 apprenticeship will vary from employer to employer, but some may ask for National 4s or 5s in English, Maths, science subjects and practical technology subjects, or Skills for Work Construction at SCQF Level 4/5.

There are no formal entry requirements for carpentry apprentices in Wales, but applicants should have the Functional Skills Level 1 in English and Maths.

Skills required to become a carpenter

Applicants for carpentry and joinery apprenticeships should be good with their hands, enjoy making things, working with tools and machinery and have some basic design skills. Site carpenters should be prepared to work in all weathers.

Future prospects and career progression

People who take carpentry apprenticeships generally go on to have careers as site carpenters and architectural joiners. Site carpenters, as the name suggests, work predominantly on site or in domestic and commercial premises, installing bespoke timber components such as doors, staircases, roofs and joists. Architectural joiners mainly work off-site in a workshop, creating bespoke elements such as doors, window frames, staircases and panelling.

Experienced carpenters can become site supervisors, construction project managers, or move into contracts management, construction estimating or specialist areas of carpentry such as heritage restoration. Many trained carpenters eventually become self-employed and run their own carpentry business. In terms of earnings, senior, chartered or master carpenters can earn £30,000 - £45,000 or more.

How to apply for a carpentry apprenticeship

If you are interested in applying for a carpentry apprenticeship one of the best things to do is look for vacancies being offered by local construction companies. Do some searches on job websites and use the government’s apprenticeship service. If you've had some previous work experience at a company, ask if they are taking on any new apprentices. You will have to apply for any apprenticeship role, so will need to produce a CV, write a covering letter and attend an interview.

Find out more about the role of a carpenter

You could:

Read our carpentry job profile
Read about the different types of carpentry
Read our joiner job profile

Where to find carpentry apprenticeships

Choose one of the below job posting sites to find carpentry apprenticeships in England, Scotland and Wales.