Wood Machinist Level 2

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This course is for any eligible candidates who wish to develop their knowledge, skills, and behaviours as a wood machinist.

Wood machinists either machine wood components for use in these industries or convert round timber to boards and other products to required specification. For example, panelling, floorboards, kitchen counters, bars, banisters, spindles, skirting boards, window and door frames. Wood machinist's workplaces range from small workshops to large scale factories and sawmills.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to cut and prepare timber and related material components. Wood machinists set up and operate variety of woodworking machines to surface, cut, and shape timber, and to fabricate parts for wood products, such as furniture components, doors, door and window frames, furniture, and sashes, according to specifications. They prepare and finish wood or wood-based components or sub-assemblies. They select, install, and adjust saw blades, cutterheads, boring bits, and sanding belts in respective machines, using hand tools and measuring equipment. They also inspect, pack and store finished components or sub-assemblies and contribute to continuous improvement activities. Completing documentation and cleaning up is also part of the role.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other operatives, production or manufacturing managers, quality technicians, production leaders and product developers. Wood machinists typically report to a supervisor or shift team leader.

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 aged 16-18 will have achieved GCSE Grade 1/ G or equivalent in Level 1 in English and Mathematics as a minimum. We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 1 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment.

Apprentices must be employed, ideally for a minimum of 30 hours, in an existing wood machinist role to meet and develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be successful in this area.

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 signed 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 Wood Machinist Level 2 Apprenticeship will develop the knowledge and understanding of:

Sectors in which wood machining takes place and role of the operative. Responsibilities, limits of role and escalation procedures.
Job specifications, technical drawings and technical information.
Planning for wood machining activity, work organisation, resources, materials and time management.
Safe systems of work including risk assessments.
Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role.
Environment and sustainability regulation and efficient use of resources. Recycling, reuse and safe disposal of waste.
Preparation, maintenance and restoration of the work area.
Workplace operating procedures.
Tools and equipment used in wood machining.
Storage environment for tools and equipment.
Maintenance of tools and equipment such as, cleaning and lubrication, tool calibration checks, sharpening and servicing of tools.
Machinery used in wood machining: conventional and CNC machinery.
Maintenance of machinery for wood machining activity such as, cleaning and lubrication, calibration checks, sharpening and servicing of tools.
Setting up wood machining machinery and tooling to perform wood machining operations.
Types of materials used in wood machining.
Jigs and templates. Purpose, condition and use.
Tools and techniques used in measuring and marking out materials.
Wood machining processes: cutting, shaping, planing, turning, profiling, boring, edge banding, jointing wood and wood-based products.
Wood preparation techniques: inspection, stripping, process of sanding and grit sizes.
Wood components and sub-assemblies.
Rectification, repair and rework techniques used in wood machining.
Methods of packing, storing and handling of wood components and sub-assemblies.
Quality assurance processes.
Methods of documenting work in progress for the wood machining activity.
Continuous improvement techniques.
Team working principles.
Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the impact on their work.
Verbal communication techniques.
Written communication techniques.
Information and digital technology.

Develop the skills in:

Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for wood machining activity.
Plan wood machining activity including timescales for completion and organise materials and resources.
Prepare, maintain and restore the work area.
Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
Comply with procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
Follow workplace operating procedures.
Store tools and equipment.
Select tools, equipment, and machinery for wood machining activity.
Apply first line maintenance of tools, equipment and machinery.
Identify and select materials used in wood machining.
Measure and mark out materials.
Prepare, check and use jigs and templates used in the work activity.
Set up and operate wood machining machinery.
Apply wood machining processes using conventional or CNC machinery.
Assemble components or sub-assemblies of wood.
Inspect, strip, and sand material surfaces.
Apply rectification, repair or rework techniques.
Follow quality assurance processes.
Pack, store and handle components and sub-assemblies.
Record wood machining activity information.
Apply basic continuous improvement techniques.
Apply team working principles.
Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
Undertake and record learning and development activities.

Demonstrate behaviours in:

Put health and safety first.
Take ownership of given work.
Consider the impact on the environment when using resources and carrying out work.
Team-focus to meet work goals.
Support an inclusive workplace for example, respectful of different views.
Seek learning and development opportunities.

End Point Assessment Methods

To trigger the end point assessment, you must have:

proof of English and maths GCSE minimum grade 1 (E) or equivalent level 1 qualification (apprentices aged 16-18 only)
Completed a showcase portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours.

The end point assessment consists of:

Practical Observation – 3-hour observation, including two activities (1 pre and 1 post machining section)
Professional Discussion – 70 mins (underpinned with a portfolio of evidence

This standard will be graded as Distinction, Pass or Fail

What could I do when I have finished this Apprenticeship?

The wood machinist role may be a gateway to further apprenticeship opportunities, such as the Lean Manufacturing (Level 2) Apprenticeship or Team Leader (Level 3) Apprenticeship.

You will also be given information and guidance to continue onto other courses.

Where and when will I learn?

During the course you will usually be expected to attend work a minimum of 30 hours per week where you will learn the skills and knowledge required to continue through your qualification. You will be supported by weekly remote or face-to face sessions with your tutor, depending on your geographical location. These sessions will allow you to complete coursework, receive instant feedback and ensure you are ready for the End Point Assessment.

This on-programme taught element will typically take 24 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area. The End Point Assessment will be completed within 3 months of completing the on-programme taught element.

How much will the Apprenticeship cost?

There are no fees for this apprenticeship.

What do I do next?

If you are already employed in this area and wish to join the course, or have identified an employer wishing to start you as an apprentice in this area contact us on 01325 405601

Alternatively …

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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