I want to be a
Carpenter
I want to be a Carpenter
CARPENTRY COURSES FOR 16-19 YEAR OLDS
Carpenters and joiners make and install wooden structures, fittings and furniture.
SALARIES: range from £17,000 to £38,000 a year dependent on experience.
Depending on where you work, you could:
- Discuss plans and job instructions with clients or site managers.
- Cut and shape timber for floorboards, doors, skirting boards and window frames.
- Make and fit structures like staircases, door frames, roof timbers and partition walls.
- Assemble fitted and free-standing furniture.
- Install kitchens, cupboards and shelving.
- Build wooden supports called shuttering which holds concrete that has not dried yet in place.
- Fit interiors in shops, bars, restaurants, offices and public buildings.
- Construct stage sets for theatre, film and TV productions.
You could work in a workshop, at a client’s business, on a construction site or at a client’s home. Your working environment may be dusty, at height and you’ll travel often.
WE CAN GET YOU ON THE RIGHT QUALIFICATION Below you will see you have a couple of options. You can apply for the vocational qualification (full-time course in the campus workshops), there is no need to pick a Level (Level 1 or Level 2) as this depends on your grades which will be discussed during enrolment, OR you can apply for an apprenticeship where you will be based in the workplace. Click on the buttons below to find out more ...
CAREER PATH FOR CARPENTRY
With experience, you could become a site supervisor or construction project manager. You could also move into:
WORKING WITH KEY EMPLOYERS
Our Construction Career Excellence Hub is endorsed by leading employers, and they are actively involved throughout your whole training programme.
Here is an example of how employers will be getting involved with your programme:
- They will co-design your training programme to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed for industry
- They will help to create an inspirational learning experience for you
- Provide the skills training required for wider industry
- Provide opportunities to you, through industry placements
- Assist in building your professional identity, through online networking.
PROGRESSION ROUTES
Once you’ve completed your course, there are several options for you to further develop your skills and knowledge...
If you completed a Level 1, or Level 2 course, you can continue to progress to the next level course, your tutor will be able to discuss your options with you.
We also offer a Construction T Level programme, which is a mixture of college and work-based learning designed to give you the technical skills and workplace experience to kick-start your construction career.
Technical areas of study could include Surveying, design, civil engineering, planning and emerging technologies such as drone surveying and BIM.
An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the construction industry. Not only will you get the opportunity to get your foot in the door with a local or national company, you will also be able to earn while you learn.
Through apprenticeships you will work closely with an experienced tradesperson to develop and practice your skills, all whist receiving the benefits that being a student brings.
We have several degree options on offer at UCW, which will allow you to further develop your knowledge. UCW is rated as Gold in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework, meaning the teaching, learning and opportunities we provide are of the highest quality in Britain.
There are several degree options available in construction, which could lead you on to a career as an architect, site managers, project managers and surveyors. You can find the full UCW course list, here.
LATEST NEWS
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; learners kickstarted the first stages of the <strong>Lasseter’s Bar & Kitchen</strong> renovations by taking apart the old benches and outdoor seating area from the front of the property which they will repurpose as part of their Social Action Project. </p><p>When taking the furniture apart, learners made sure to remove any screws and nails before moving the wood to the South West Skills workshop where they will separate the usable wood ready for repurpose. They will then work together to create an assortment of Christmas decorations to be sold by the students during the weekly <strong>Wednesday Market on the Italian Gardens</strong>. All money made from these sales will then go towards the Weston College RAG Week charities: <strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> and a second charity chosen in the upcoming months by the Student Committee ahead of RAG Week in March 2026. </p><p>The students also weeded the outdoor seating area, brushed the floor, and cleaned the glass panels surrounding the area. They will also be salvaging the flower beds to reuse them when Lasseter’s reopens to reduce waste. This has turned the outdoor area into a blank canvas, ready for new furniture to go in during the refurbishments. </p><p>Repurposing old benches into marketable products for charity offers our students a blend of personal and professional development. On a personal level, students build creativity and problem-solving skills by transforming discarded items into something functional and appealing, while also experiencing the satisfaction of contributing to their community through charitable giving. Professionally, the process cultivates resourceful thinking, project management, and teamwork skills that are highly valued in the workplace. </p><p>By marketing and selling their creations, students gain hands-on experience in business operations, communication, and client engagement, which can strengthen their portfolios and career readiness. Ultimately, this Social Action initiative allows students to grow as socially conscious leaders who can balance innovation with purpose, making a meaningful impact while developing transferable skills for their future careers. </p><p>This project also fits in with Weston College’s sustainability values by reducing waste and upcycling materials to create products. It’s a great opportunity for students to discover new ways to repurpose furniture in fun and creative ways which also gives back to the community. This task will allow them to think creatively and innovatively but also engage with the community when selling their handmade products. </p><p>Well done to our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; students for taking this opportunity in stride, handling tasks efficiently and maturely, and helping us turn creativity into community impact! </p><p>This initiative forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. </p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a> </p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []"><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; is a very versatile and dynamic course with many different routes to specialise in. At Weston College, we offer courses in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Professionals</u></a> such as Civil Engineering and Surveying. </p><p>These courses are a great way for students to get hands-on experience in trade subjects. They gain practical skills in the workshop whilst learning theoretical knowledge in the classroom which they can then apply to real-life application.</p><p>This year, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; students have been introduced to new uniforms. This allows both staff and students to identify different trades depending on their colour. For example, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; students are now wearing blue tops and jumpers, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; is wearing green, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; is wearing red, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; is wearing grey, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; is wearing black. These new items of clothing were completely free of charge to the learners and allows everyone to easily identify which student is in which cohort.</p><p>At the end of last term, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; learners were challenged to think harder about how they engage with the community, not just because of the positive impact it has on our learners, but because it’s a great way to give back and encourage engagement and meaningful interactions outside of the college.</p><p>During their first week back, our learners have already risen to that challenge. Jack, Plastering, and Alfie, Bricklaying, joined our staff at St. Martin’s Primary School Careers Day for Year 6 pupils. They spoke confidently with the pupils, answering questions about their trades, college life, and their plans going forward.</p><p>We have also invited the Year 6 pupils into college, where our learners will demonstrate their skills across the trades, discuss their career journeys and pathways in construction, and offer hands-on experiences to show learners the options available to them. This is a great way to not only improve the confidence of our learners, but also to help inspire the future generations. It’s a great way for our learners to become positive role models within the community and take pride in their abilities.</p><p>We look forward to seeing what our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; students get up to for the rest of the year!</p><p>This initiative forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a></p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>
<p>Carpentry is an exciting trade, which is in high demand! It is a very skilled trade, with carpenters using natural materials (wood/timber) to cut, shape and install wooden structures, fittings and furniture.</p>
<p>In the UK there are more than 5,000 organisations who recruit carpenters, with an estimated turnover of nearly £4 billion.</p>
<p>With so much demand, you might be wondering how to become a carpenter? Well, you’ve come to the right place!</p>
<p>There are several different routes you can take to become a carpenter or joiner. You might be someone that is looking to earn while they learn, and the good news is, you can do this through an apprenticeship. Or you might be someone that wants to complete a course to learn some skills before entering the carpentry – whether this be full-time or part-time with evening courses.</p>
<p>Let’s look at the options in a little bit more detail.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>Apprenticeships</strong></h2>
<p>An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the industry, and can be a great way to get your foot in the door with a local organisation that is looking to grow and develop their workforce.</p>
<p>Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, so you could be a school leaver, or someone that wants to turn their passion into a career. As an apprentice you will be employed by the company, and complete training at college – you will be expected to work at least 30 hours a week, with the rest of your hours being training.</p>
<p>You can complete apprenticeships at a number of Levels, depending on your experience and skill level. At Weston College, we offer several different carpentry apprenticeships, click the course below to find out more:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/carp… and Joinery Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/site… Carpentry Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/c… and Joinery Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… Carpentry Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
</ul>
<p>Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you can either further your development by studying the next level, or go into full-time work.</p>
<p>Before you work on a construction site, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>College Courses</strong></h2>
<p>If you would prefer to study at College, there are a range of options available, from full-time courses to shorter part-time courses.</p>
<p>We offer courses for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… 1, Level 2 and Level 3</a>, which all aim to develop your skills and prepare you for life as a carpenter.</p>
<p>On our full-time courses you will be part of our Construction Career Excellence Hub, which means that you will get unrivalled access to employers, with opportunities for work experience, master classes and hearing from industry insiders. Our construction courses are all endorsed by organisations from industry.</p>
<p>We also offer <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… adult courses in Carpentry</a>, which allow you to sharpen your skills and are a great opportunity to change careers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you'd like to find out more about a career in carpentry, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events?utm_source=main-menu&am… along to one of our open evenings</a> and chat to the team, they will be more than happy to help!</p>
