Craft Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship

This course meets the needs of students who have secured an advanced apprenticeship position in Craft Carpentry and Joinery as either an Architectural Joiner or Site Carpenter.

The occupation involves carrying out advanced skilled work, primarily using timber products either on a construction site or in a workshop, creating and installing building components. The advanced carpenter and joiner is able to undertake complex job tasks, requiring high levels of practical skills and knowledge, in addition to managing their own work and leading small teams.

The main differences between a Level 2 site carpenter/architectural joiner and a Level 3  Craft site carpenter/architectural joiner are that the advanced carpenter/joiner has responsibility for managing their own and other people’s work, as well as being required to complete complex and non-standard work. Examples of complex tasks include curved products, irregular joints and bespoke work.

Level 3 advanced apprentices will progress from a Level 2 apprenticeship, or should be able to demonstrate the same knowledge, skills and competency levels.

A minimum qualification of Level 1 in English and Maths Functional Skills, or the equivalent, is required prior to starting the apprenticeship. Applicants will undertake a screening test to ensure that they can achieve a pass in English and Maths Functional Skills at Level 2.

As the employer, you will also need to complete a Skills Scan that ensures your apprentice will be undertaking the tasks required to complete the qualification.

An apprenticeship standard requires the employer to offer support, training and guidance so that the apprentice can record at least 20% of their time on the apprenticeship as training relating to the standard – this includes training both at College and on-site.

The apprentice will be required to build on the skills learnt in College while in the workplace and collect evidence in their portfolio to prove 20% of their time was covered by training, before they can take the End Point Assessment.

• Effective communication: oral, written, listening, body language, presentation – especially in working with others.
• Team work: work effectively without supervision and give leadership to others – being willing to lead a team.
• Independent working: take responsibility for completing own work and monitoring the work of others.
• Logical thinking: use clear and valid reasoning when making decisions and in achieving work goals with others.
• Working effectively: undertake the work in a reliable and productive manner, lead others by example.
• Time management: use own time effectively to complete work on schedule and support effective team working.
• Adaptability: be able to implement change and adjust existing requirements to meet the work instructions.

Apprentices must complete, or have previously completed, recognised English and Mathematics Level 2 qualifications.

The achievement of this standard will meet the requirement of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) ‘Advanced Skilled Worker’ standard, which is widely recognised as a ‘licence to operate’ in a skilled construction trade.

The apprentice will be visited by our allocated assessor at work where observations and discussions with you will form supportive evidence of training achievements. The apprentice will work towards the achievement of Level 2 English and Maths Functional Skills which form the gateway requirement before taking the End Point Assessment.

End Point Assessment will then assess how the apprentice can apply the skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired through the following two assessments carried out after the 12-15 months duration of on-programme learning: 

1. Knowledge assessment – short written test lasting 45 minutes.
2. Skills test – a practical assessment delivered in a controlled environment approved by the Independent End Point Assessment Organisation. This assessment will holistically assess skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired throughout the apprenticeship.

Your apprentice will need to come into College at least one day per week during the academic year and in line with term times.

Your apprentice will need to be equipped with their own PPE such as boots, hi-vis and gloves. Tools will be supplied in College but not in the workplace.

Your apprentice could move on to a Professional Construction apprenticeship, or stay in employment working in a more supervisory role.

• Supervisory/managerial role in carpentry and joinery
• Self-employed joiner/carpenter

You may already have someone in your organisation or someone who has come to you directly asking for an apprenticeship. However, if you don’t, we have a free recruitment service to help you hire the best candidate for your organisation from our talent pool and can provide external advertising through social media and the National Apprenticeship Service’s website.

If you are an employer and you would like to know more, please email businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421