Carpentry and Joinery

This is a two-year course where you will complete a Year 1 Diploma, followed by a Year 2 Diploma the following year.

Year 1

If you enjoy practical, hands-on work and are interested in working with timber, our Year 1 Carpentry and Joinery course is an ideal introduction to the trade.

Throughout the course, you will develop a range of practical carpentry and joinery skills alongside essential construction knowledge. The course combines theory and practical learning.

You will study areas including:

• Principles of building construction, information and communication
• Maintaining and using carpentry and joinery hand tools
• Preparing and using portable power tools
• Producing woodworking joints
• Health, safety and welfare in construction
• Selecting and using appropriate timber and materials
• Measuring, marking out and cutting materials accurately
• Developing safe and effective working practices
• Caring for, maintaining and storing tools correctly
• Developing accuracy, quality and confidence in your practical work.

You will learn to work with a range of common hand tools, including saws, planes and chisels, as well as portable power tools such as drills, saws, planers, routers and sanders.

A large part of the course is practical, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills by producing a variety of woodworking joints and completing workshop-based tasks. You will also learn about the tools, materials, techniques and safe working practices used by carpenters and joiners in the construction industry.

Year 2

In Year 2, you will build on your existing carpentry and joinery skills and develop more advanced practical and technical knowledge.

Working in a practical workshop environment, you will tackle more advanced site carpentry projects, improve your accuracy and finish, and develop a greater understanding of the standards expected within the industry.

You will study areas including:

• Health, safety and welfare in construction
• Principles of building construction, information and communication
• First fix flooring and roofing
• First fix frames, partitions and stairs
• Second fix operations
• Carpentry maintenance
• Reading and interpreting drawings and specifications
• Selecting and using the correct tools, equipment and materials
• Measuring, marking out, cutting, fitting and fixing timber components

• Developing accurate, safe and professional working practices.

During your practical sessions, you will develop skills used in first fix carpentry, such as constructing floors, roofs, partitions and stair components.

You will also develop second fix carpentry skills, which can include fitting doors, door linings, skirting boards, architraves and other finishing components.

A large part of the course is practical, giving you the opportunity to improve your accuracy, speed, problem-solving skills and quality of finish while working towards industry standards.

You will need to find at least 35 hours of work experience or work-related activities each year while on the course.

You will be assessed through a combination of practical assignments, assessments and knowledge tests, including both online and paper-based exams.

Knowledge is assessed through multiple-choice examinations or question papers. These assess your understanding of areas such as construction principles, health and safety, working drawings, first fix flooring and roofing, first fix frames, partitions and stairs, second fix operations and carpentry maintenance.

Your practical work will be assessed by your tutor/assessor, with feedback provided to help you continually develop your skills and prepare for your assessments.

Assessments are designed to make sure you can demonstrate both the practical skills and knowledge required for the qualification.

After successfully completing Year 1, you could progress to:

• Year 2 in Site Carpentry
• A carpentry or joinery apprenticeship
• Further construction training in another trade area.

After successfully completing Year 2, you could progress to:

• Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry
• A carpentry and joinery apprenticeship
• An appropriate work-based/NVQ qualification
• Employment or further experience within the construction industry
• Further development of specialist site carpentry skills.

With further training and industry experience, career opportunities could include carpenter, site carpenter, shopfitter, site supervisor or construction manager. Experienced carpenters may also choose to become self-employed or establish their own carpentry and construction business.