Wood Product Manufacturing Operative (Level 2)

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This course is for any eligible candidates, who wish to earn a wage while developing their skills and knowledge needed to be able to pursue a career in wood manufacturing.

Wood product manufacturing is at the engineering end of woodworking and forms a critical part of the emerging pre-manufactured solutions sector, identified in the Farmer Review as key to the future of construction. It supplies products to the housing, commercial, public and building sectors. Employers range from small to large, with a prevalence in the medium to large end of the market. Specialism in single product type is particularly common in the larger end of the market. The broad purpose of the occupation is to produce high volume, repetitive, engineered products from timber. Presenting a wide and varied specification for both external and interior applications, products such as roofing components, windows, doors, door-sets, staircases and other timber construction items.

As well as utilising traditional materials, they use engineered and modified timbers to support product design and delivery. They cut, layout and assemble materials, working to a specification. Depending on the product, they may install fixtures and fittings, apply finishes and add glazing systems.

Wood product manufacturing operatives typically work individually but can also form part of a larger production team and will report to the production supervisor/manager. Workplaces can be wide ranging from small workshops to large state of the art manufacturing facilities. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with customers, delivery personnel, design office, internal stores and suppliers, depending on the size of the organisation. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing their own work to specification, with minimal supervision, ensuring they meet set deadlines. They are responsible for meeting quality requirements and working in accordance with health and safety and environmental considerations.

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 3-2 (D-E) or equivalent in English and Maths. We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 1 and 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 Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship will develop the knowledge and understanding of:

Health and Safety
Environmental and sustainability considerations, regulations and good practice.
How different products are expected to perform, and how they interact with the wider built environment.
Types of customers
The wood product manufacturing industry, its background and importance.
Requirements for glazing wood products
Quality standards and product accreditation processes for wood product manufacture
Commercial operations and how they contribute; key functions involved in the wood product manufacturing process.
Checking and clarifying work requirements, including what needs checking and why.
Principles and uses of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinery
Different materials used to manufacture wood products and components
Machines, equipment and tools used in wood product manufacturing
Work and product specifications, what they are and how to use them.
Different types of adhesives, and processes for their use including application methods.
Different grit sizes and the sequence of sanding for full finish paint and stain systems.
Techniques for applying specified finishes to components and products.
Techniques for installing fixtures and fittings to wood products.
Assembly methods.
Types of faults and errors that do occur, investigation and rectification techniques.
Procedures for the safe handling and storage of wood components, products and glazing systems.
Documentation requirements; written and verbal communication techniques.
Processes for handover to other manufacturing process functions.
Techniques for measuring and cutting components and products.
Manufacturing processes used to produce the end-product.

Develop the skills in:

Comply with health, safety and environmental requirements
Identify risks and hazards in the workplace and apply appropriate control measures.
Comply with organisational and statutory environmental and sustainability considerations.
Communication
Plan work to undertake wood product manufacturing operations.
Carry out glazing operations.
Read and interpret specifications, diagrams and work instructions, and following these instructions.
Prepare the work area before undertaking the work.
Position wood components and apply manual and mechanical cramps to ensure products are secured and in accordance with the work specification.
Prepare and operate Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment.
Select the correct type and quantity of components and materials.
Select, set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce wood components.
Use and maintain jigs and templates for wood product manufacturing operations.
Apply adhesives to wood components.
Sand materials and de-nib.
Apply finishes to wood products.
Install fixtures and fittings to wood products.
Assemble wood components to the work specification and given tolerances.
Identify faults and issues.
Report work outcomes and/or problems.
Complete work documentation.
Complete the handover process to other manufacturing process functions/teams.
Check and inspect work to ensure it meets the work specification; undertake rectification or rework where necessary.
Pack and store products and components.

Develop the behaviours in:

Safety first attitude
Adaptable
Collaborates with others
Pride in the workplace
Self-motivated
Quality workmanship

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 Methods

To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must have:

Proof of English & maths GCSE minimum grade 2+ (E+) or equivalent level 1 qualification
Completed a showcase portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours

The End Point Assessment consists of:

Workplace Observation: A pre-planned observation with questions, in your normal place of work and independently assessed. The observation will be for 3 hours, in total.
Knowledge Test: An online multiple-choice test, consisting of 30 questions over a 60 minute duration
Professional Discussion: A 45-minute structured discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, with the Independent Assessor. This is 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, Merit, 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 a CNC (computer numerically controlled) operative, Finishing operative/sprayer and assembler or Machinist.

You may gain employment with your employer but 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 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 in the workplace through regular visits with your tutor and may be needed to come into one of our training centres (Lingfield Way, DL1 4QZ or Coleridge Centre, DL1 5AJ) for support sessions. These sessions will allow you to complete coursework, receive instant feedback and ensure you are ready for the End Point Assessment.

This course will typically take 24 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