Carpenter

Carpenters make, install and repair wooden items like wall panels, flooring, door and window frames, roof rafters, staircases, cabinets and furniture.

Also known as: Joiner, bench joiner

• Starter salary£24,000 a year
• Experienced£40,000 a year
• Typical hours40 to 45 a week

What you'll do

As a carpenter, you could:

• discuss plans and job instructions with clients or site managers
• cut timber for floorboards, doors, skirting boards and window frames
• make and fit staircases, door frames, roof timbers and partition walls
• assemble fitted and free-standing furniture
• install kitchen units, cabinets and shelving
• construct wooden supports, called shuttering, which hold concrete in place while it sets
• fit interiors in shops, bars, restaurants and offices
• build stage sets for theatre, film and TV productions

Working environment

You could work in a workshop, on a construction site, at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be dusty, at height and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a carpenter

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship

College

You could take a college course like:

• bench joinery
• site carpentry
• T Level in On Site Construction

Courses like these would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to find a trainee position with a company.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Onsite Trades Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Wood Machinist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Craft Carpentry and Joinery Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

You could also do a Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, producing goods used in the furniture making and construction industries.

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a site supervisor or construction project manager.

You could also move into:

• construction estimating
• contracts management
• specialist areas like set building for stage and screen, or heritage restoration
• facilities maintenance in a large organisation, like a hospital or housing association
• training apprentices on site

You may wish to start your own business or teach in a further education college .

Career tips

If you're thinking of changing career to carpentry, look out for short or part-time 'taster' courses at your local college. These are designed to help you find out if carpentry is for you.

Registration

• you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Guides for this industry

• Construction & Trades: pay, interviews and getting started →

Related roles

• Job roleKitchen and bathroom fitter
• Job roleFormworker
• Job roleFurniture maker
• Job roleFurniture restorer
• Job roleWood machinist

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