Carpentry and Joinery (Level 2)

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This course is for anyone wishing to become a Site Carpenter, preparing and installing basic building components e.g. doors, straight staircases, wall and floor units and erecting structural carpentry and roof structures on a building site or in domestic and commercial premises

The broad purpose of the occupation is working with building materials (most often wood) to create and install building components. This typically involves shaping and cutting materials, installing finished materials like partitions, doors, staircases, window frames, mouldings, timber floor coverings and erecting structural components such as floor joists and roofs. All work needs to be carried out safely, using the appropriate tools and to the quality specified.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other construction trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and plumbers, supervisors, site management, architects, designers, contractors and customers. A Site Carpenter would generally liaise with other trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and plumbers, supervisors, site management and contractors.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, under supervision, using machinery and tools to create structures or components from the designs, plans and specifications of architects and designers that meet the clients expectations. On site these could include roof structures, floors, partitions and second fix work such as door frames and skirting.

Are there any entry requirements?

Must be a UK citizen, or have the right of abode in the UK, or is a citizen of a country that is within the EEA and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the EU or the EEA continuously for the previous three years before the start of learning.

Candidates will have achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent in English and Maths. We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 2 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment.

Apprentices must be employed, for a minimum of 30 hours, in a role that suits the skills requirements of this apprenticeship.

New applicants will be contacted by a vocational delivery tutor to determine suitability/eligibility prior, give information and advice on the next steps.

Shortlisted applicants will be sent to the employer, to then follow their recruitment procedure. Unsuitable applicants will be sign-posted to other areas of our service to develop transferable/employability skills, with a view to ensuring they are suitable for other apprenticeship positions in the future.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The structure and delivery of the course curriculum will enable you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to reflect the needs of local and regional employers, gain qualifications and be successful in this area.

The curriculum is planned and sequenced to enable learners with previous knowledge and experience to develop the new skills needed to progress to the next stage of their career, training, education or employment.

The curriculum is flexible and responsive to learner demands and can be tailored to suit individual needs arising from any current and dynamic issues affecting their role, which can be addressed during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice you will need to be able to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills at the end of your apprenticeship training programme and understand how this reflects the needs of the local, regional and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

The carpentry and joinery (Site Carpenter pathway) apprenticeship will develop the knowledge and understanding of:

The principles of environment, health, safety and welfare
The responsibilities under current legislation and official guidance to undertake the work
How to use health and safety control equipment
The principles of building construction terminology and components
How to interpret and produce relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions
How to estimate resource quantities to carry out work
How to communicate and work with others effectively in the workplace
The characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, limitations and defects associated with timber and timber-based products and components
Hand Tools : how to prepare, use and maintain hand tools
Power Tools: how to prepare, use and maintain power tools
The different types of fixings and fasteners for site carpentry work
How to carry out first fixing work including timber frames and linings, timber coverings, flat roof decking, timber stud partitions, straight flights of stairs and installing handrails and spindles to straight flights of stairs
How to carry out second fixing work including installation of service encasements, cladding, wall and floor units, mouldings, side hung doors and ironmongery
How to create structural carcassing work, how to erect trussed rafter roofs, how to construct gables, verge and eaves, how to install floor joists and coverings

Develop the skills in:

Identify and apply safe working practices in accordance with current legislation, health, safety and welfare regulations
Plan and undertake work practices productively.
Identify and apply safe use, storage and maintenance of tools and equipment.
Correctly interpret information from drawings and specifications in various types and formats.
Estimate resource quantities to carry out work eg quantity of fixings, length of timber
Demonstrate a range of fundamental skills including measuring, marking out, fitting, cutting, splicing, mitring, scribing, horizontal and vertical levelling (including laser levelling), finishing, positioning and securing.
Carry out first fixing work including install timber frames and linings, coverings, flat roof decking, install straight flights of stairs and erect timber stud partitions. Install handrails and spindles to straight flights of stairs.
Carry out second fixing work including install service encasement, cladding, wall and floor units and fitments, side hung doors, ironmongery and timber mouldings
Carry out timber stud partition work
Erect trussed rafter roofs, construct gables, verge and eaves.
Install floor joists and coverings.

Develop and demonstrate the following 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

On completion of the on-programme element of the apprenticeship you will enter gateway to the End Point Assessment, which is the final assessment. This will be conducted by an independent end point assessor who will grade the assessment.

End Point Assessment

To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must have:

English & maths GCSE minimum grade 2+ (E+) or equivalent level 2 qualification proof
Completed a showcase portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours

The End Point Assessment consists of:

Online Knowledge Test: A 60-minute test, consisting of 40 multiple choice questions
Practical Assessment: Consisting of 4 tasks over a 7-hour period.
Professional Discussion: A structured discussion with the Independent Assessor, to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and cover the knowledge, skills and behaviours

This standard will be graded as Distinction, Pass or Fail.

What could I do when I have finished this Apprenticeship?

This apprenticeship provides an ideal entry into the occupation and supports progression within the sector as site joiner with the construction sector. You may gain employment with your employer and / or decide to complete an Advanced Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship (Level 3). You will also be given information and guidance to continue onto other courses.

Where and when will I learn?

During the course you will be expected to attend our Training Centre (Lingfield Way, Darlington, DL1 4QZ) 1 day a week developing your knowledge and practical skills in a controlled environment. These sessions will allow you to complete coursework, receive instant feedback and ensure you are ready for the End Point Assessment. The remainder of the week will be spent working with your employer putting the theory into practice to further develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours in a real working environment.

This course will typically take 24-27 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area and may be reduced.

How much will the Apprenticeship cost?

There are no fees for this apprenticeship.

What do I do next?

You can:

View our latest vacancies

Or you can:

Apply for this apprenticeship area to be entered into a 'pool of candidates'. When a relevant vacancy becomes available we will contact you.
If you are already employed in this area and wish to join the apprenticeship training, or have identified an employer wishing to start you as an apprentice in this area, please contact us