Bench Joiners make wooden stairs, windows and doors, as part of construction projects.
"[Students'] progression into further study or employment is good.” (Ofsted, 2013)
As a joiner, you may work in one or more of the following areas:
Making and assembling doors, window frames, staircases and fitted furniture
Making and fitting interiors for shops, hotels, banks, offices and public buildings.
To become a joiner you will need to have:
Good practical skills
An organised approach to work
An eye for detail
The ability to follow technical drawings and plans
Good maths skills for measuring and working out angles
The ability to work as part of a team and unsupervised
Salaries in the industry might range between £8000 and £28,000+ for an average 40-hour week. Steel toe capped shoes/boots and sturdy clothing to protect your body will be required.
A minimum of three GCSEs at grade D or 3 and above
Once you have been successful within Level 2, you will be eligible for our fantastic Level 3 Bench Joinery course.
Shortlist and Apply
Please select the specific course you would like to apply for.
What You Will Pay
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Construction is a key industry sector in Gloucestershire and now is the perfect time to train for a qualification in any of the industry areas we offer. Our construction courses are a great way to develop skills and build the foundation for a successful career in domestic and industrial construction.
We are the first UK college to buy a house as a renovation project for our construction and building services students, to further develop their skills and provide them with practical experience of working on-site with other trades, and it’s initiatives like this that ensure our students leave us employment-ready.
“The people I’ve met – especially my lecturer – are really easy to talk to. The facilities are wonderful and all in order; it’s very easy to pick out and find what you need. Carpentry is fun and enjoyable, and sets you up for the rest of your life. I feel really prepared for life after college and the skills I’ve learnt are useful in daily life.
“To someone thinking of applying to GC I would say that it’s absolutely brilliant and somewhere you can learn lots and achieve a high grade. I’m working on sites at the moment so I get to travel and do renovations and house builds, which I want to continue after college.”
Ben Mason
Level 2 – Carpentry – Gloucester Campus
“Prior to starting my apprenticeship, I worked in plumbing and removals, but was ready for a career change. I’ve learnt many new skills in my apprenticeship, including fitting door linings, hanging doors and measuring and fitting kitchens.
The college side of my training has been very useful for when I’m working on site and my assessor has been helpful when showing me skills on a one-to-one basis.
An apprenticeship was the best route for me and I hope to become a self-employed carpenter once I complete my training”
Harry Taylor
Bench Joinery Apprentice at Pickering and Spencer
“The course gave me a great overview of the construction industry, which is exactly what I needed to progress in my career. I wanted a change and this equipped me with the knowledge and skills I required in order to do that. I now work as in Administration Manager in family run Construction business and I really enjoy it.
“The lecturers were very supportive and the knowledge they have is immeasurable. They have lots of experience in the industry. I very much enjoyed the variety in modules too, it allowed us to be creative and practically use what we had learnt.
“I made some great friends here, it was a very inclusive atmosphere.
“I would do it all again, it was such a brilliant experience. I would advise anyone thinking of applying to GC to not be afraid and make the jump!”
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