Carpentry and joinery

Site joinery apprentices work with timber on practical tasks in a variety of active construction sites or projects. A site joinery apprenticeship would equip you for a skilled career as a site joiner or carpenter, preparing you to work confidently in this sector.

Find out about our available apprenticeships using the drop down buttons below. The include information about entry requirements, course content and next steps.

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This programme is designed for:

· Individuals starting a career in site carpentry, particularly in the construction industry

· Apprentices working on-site, installing timber components such as doors, staircases, partitions, and roofing structures

· Existing site carpenters who want to formalise their skills and gain a nationally recognised qualification

Are there any entry requirements?

For apprentices aged 16–18:
Applicants should provide evidence of GCSE grades 1/G or above in English and Maths (or equivalent). If these qualifications have not yet been achieved, support will be available throughout the apprenticeship to help learners meet the required standards.

For apprentices aged 19 and over:
While GCSEs in English and Maths at grade 1/G or above (or equivalent) are beneficial, they are not mandatory. Initial assessments may be used to identify any support needs.

Additional Requirements:
Employers may set their own entry criteria based on the specific demands of the role or sector.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The course curriculum is designed and delivered in a way that equips you with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours aligned with the needs of local and regional employers. It supports your achievement of relevant qualifications and prepares you for success in your chosen field.

The curriculum is thoughtfully structured and sequenced to build on your existing knowledge and experience, helping you acquire the new skills required to advance in your career, further training, education, or employment. It is also flexible and responsive, allowing for personalisation based on individual needs and current challenges in your role, which can be explored during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice, you will be expected to demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical competence by the end of your training programme, showing how your learning contributes to the demands of the local, regional, and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

Knowledge Areas

· Health, Safety & Environment: Understand key safety laws, PPE, fire safety, manual handling, and environmental practices like recycling and waste disposal

· Safe Work Practices: Follow site inductions, toolbox talks, risk assessments, and hazard identification

· Construction & Materials: Know building methods, timber types, decay and repair, and carpentry products

· Drawings & Estimation: Read construction drawings and calculate material needs and cutting lists

· Tools & Maintenance: Use and maintain hand and power tools, jigs, and laser level

· Site Carpentry Skills: Apply first and second fix techniques, roof installations, timber sizing, and fitting components

· Professional Conduct & Employment: Communicate well, work in teams, support well-being, promote inclusion, and understand employment types, small business setup, and tax basics

Skills Development

· Health, Safety & Environment: Follow safety and environmental regulations, maintain a safe workspace and segregate waste

· Regulations & Standards: Comply with industry standards and guidance across all site activities

· Technical & Communication Skills: Interpret drawings, estimate materials, produce cutting lists, and communicate using construction terminology

· Tool Use & Maintenance: Select, use, store, and maintain hand and power tools; sharpen tools and produce jigs

· Well-being & Support: Recognise and access mental and physical health support for self and others

· Site Carpentry Techniques: Apply first and second fix methods, install structural fixings, size timber, construct roofs, and fit components like stairs, doors, and mouldings

· Measurement & Assembly: Use laser levels, measure and mark out, cut and mitre, and form secure connections using various fixings

End Point Assessment

This is the final assessment and includes a:

· Multiple-choice knowledge test

· Practical assessment with questioning

· Professional discussion (based on a portfolio of evidence)

Progression Routes

Roles such as:

Advanced Site Carpenter
Team Leader or Supervisor in Construction
Self-employed Carpenter or Contractor

Higher-level qualifications:

Advanced Carpentry & Joinery Level 3 Apprenticeship
Construction Site Supervisor Level 4 Apprenticeship
Construction Management Degree Apprenticeship

Professional recognition with organisations such as:

The Institute of Carpenters
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) – via further study and experience

Where and when will I learn?

Throughout the programme, apprentices will attend our Darlington-based training centre and workshop (Lingfield Way, DL1 4QZ) for six hours each week. This dedicated time allows them to build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a structured environment. During these sessions, apprentices will complete coursework, receive immediate feedback, and prepare for their Apprenticeship Assessment.

The remainder of the week will be spent with their employer, applying what they've learned in a real-world setting and continuing to develop their knowledge, skills, and behaviours on the job.

This course will typically take 24 months to complete, depending on your working hours and prior experience.

What do I do next?

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

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This programme is designed for:

Carpentry apprentices who have completed a Level 2 qualification
Individuals working on building sites or in domestic/commercial construction
Site carpenters seeking to expand their technical ability and take on more complex tasks and responsibilities

This apprenticeship suits those looking to become fully qualified site joiners working to high standards across a variety of building environments.

Are there any entry requirements?

Candidates should have completed the Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery (Site Joinery) Apprenticeship

For apprentices aged 16–18:
Applicants should provide evidence of GCSE grades 4/C or above in English and Maths (or equivalent). If these qualifications have not yet been achieved, support will be available throughout the apprenticeship to help learners meet the required standards.

For apprentices aged 19 and over:
While GCSEs in English and Maths at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) are beneficial, they are not mandatory. Initial assessments may be used to identify any support needs.

Additional Requirements:
Employers may set their own entry criteria based on the specific demands of the role or sector.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The course curriculum is designed and delivered in a way that equips you with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours aligned with the needs of local and regional employers. It supports your achievement of relevant qualifications and prepares you for success in your chosen field.

The curriculum is thoughtfully structured and sequenced to build on your existing knowledge and experience, helping you acquire the new skills required to advance in your career, further training, education, or employment. It is also flexible and responsive, allowing for personalisation based on individual needs and current challenges in your role, which can be explored during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice, you will be expected to demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical competence by the end of your training programme, showing how your learning contributes to the demands of the local, regional, and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

Knowledge Areas

Health & Safety: Key laws, responsibilities, PPE, safe working practices, and incident reporting
Environment & Sustainability: Pollution control, waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials
Construction & Regulations: Building principles, fire safety, insulation, acoustic/thermal performance, and standards
Planning & Technical Skills: Reading drawings, work instructions, resource planning, and digital tools
Communication & Documentation: Clear writing, record-keeping, and quality checks
Advanced Carpentry Techniques: Complex first and second fixing, roofing, repairs, heritage work, and non-standard joints
Workplace Well-being & Culture: Mental health, inclusion, diversity, and support access

Skills Development

Health & Safety Practices: Follow safety regulations and apply safe systems of work
Environmental & Sustainable Working: Apply eco-friendly practices and comply with environmental standards
Planning & Resource Management: Interpret drawings, plan work, manage time, calculate resources, and monitor stock

Tool Use:

Select and use hand/power tools for standard and complex carpentry tasks
Advanced Carpentry Techniques: Perform complex first/second fix, roofing, joints, and repair work
Quality: Apply quality checks and complete digital/paper documentation
Communication & Reporting: Report issues clearly and contribute to solutions

Additional Qualification

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) approved SiteRight Fire Door Installation Awareness course or the Level 3 Award in Fire Door Safety must be successfully completed during the programme, unless the apprentice has already achieved it prior to enrolment.

End Point Assessment

End-Point Assessment (EPA) includes:

Multiple-choice knowledge test (online)
Practical assessment with questioning
Professional discussion (based on a portfolio of evidence)

Progression Routes

Apprentices can progress to:

Advanced roles such as:

Site supervisor
Team leader
Self-employed carpenter/joiner

Further qualifications such as:

Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor
NVQs in Construction or Site Management
Specialised training in heritage joinery or sustainable construction

This qualification also provides a pathway to Gold CSCS Skilled Worker Card status.