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Carpenter

Alternative titles for this job include Joiner, bench joiner

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

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 45 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

Meet Darren

Darren had his own business for 18 years before working as a joiner at North Manchester General Hospital.

1 minute 40 second watch

View transcript

I'm Darren Taylor. I'm a joiner and I work at the Estates at North Manchester General Hospital.

I had my own business for 18 years. Decided when this opportunity came about, I’d try and go for it. Obviously age wasn’t on my side at the time, but that didn’t matter, it was my quality and my skills and what I could bring to the Estates.

Within the theatres, obviously it’s a fast moving industry, you know, you got emergencies coming in, trolleys smashing doors. So sometimes hinges come off. Bolts, locking bolts come off. Digilocks go wrong. Do what I need to do, clean up and get out before it becomes sterile.

You've got to have a bit of flexibility with it, some of it’s hard and fast. You just want to get in, do your job so they can do theirs.

I had a guy, snapped his key in his locker. A surgeon. Patients ready to be operated on, and he’s no scrubs. Can’t get to them. So flew round with my trolley. Got in it for him, whatever means I did. And he’s literally getting dressed into his scrubs while I was tidying up.

We’re all at the same level here, whether you’re a porter, joiner, plumber, chief surgeon. We’re all at the same level. One cog drops out, the links gone.

The amount of training I’ve had on the digital code locks, changing them, fixing them, repairing them. You name it, if anything goes wrong with a lock in this hospital now I feel quite confident to sort it out. Rescue and release on lift training, asbestos awareness, induction to all the machinery in the workshop.

We will turn our hands to pretty much everything within our remit. It’s not a case of, right well, I'm a joiner, I’m not doing it, it’s a case of right, I’m a joiner, fix a door, can fit a kitchen. I can do this, I can do that, but if, then you do.

It’s mainly the people I'm working with about the job, and then the satisfaction once I've completed the job over there.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

More Information

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:

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

More Information

More Information

Registration

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.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a carpenter from Go Construct and House Building Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship – Site Carpentry

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Kempshott, Basingstoke

Carpentry Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Langage Business Park, Plympton
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Carpentry Diploma

  • Provider: SOUTH & CITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
  • Start date: 07 September 2026
  • Location: Northfield

Site Carpentry

  • Provider: PETROC
  • Start date: 07 September 2026
  • Location: Barnstaple
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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