Carpentry Apprenticeship

Summary

Kickstart your career with hands-on training, real projects, and expert mentorship. Work on high-profile sites, learn traditional and modern carpentry skills, and grow up within a company that values apprentices. If you're eager to learn and work hard, apply today!

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Carpentry and joinery (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday between 07:30 - 16:00.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 June 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

As an apprentice carpenter at Excel Carpentry, you’ll gain hands-on experience across a variety of projects, from heritage restorations to modern new builds. Your week will include:

Assisting skilled carpenters with tasks like roofing, fitting doors, and installing skirtings.
Learning traditional and modern carpentry techniques.
Using hand and power tools safely under supervision.
Reading technical drawings and measuring materials.
Attending training sessions to develop your skills.

You'll work alongside experienced professionals, gaining valuable knowledge while contributing to real projects. No two days are the same, and as your skills grow, so will your responsibilities!

Where you’ll work

Excel Carpentry Contractors Ltd
Unit 12 William James House
Cambridge
CB4 0WX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Your training course

Carpentry and joinery (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
Identify and use safety control equipment, for example, RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
Interpret and use information from drawings and specifications.
Estimate required materials and produce a cutting list.
Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
Select, use and store hand tools.
Select, use and store power tools.
Maintain and sharpen hand tools.
Produce jigs.
Identifies well-being support available to self and others.
Site carpenter: Apply first fix techniques and practices for: 1. structural carcassing, 2. straight timber or metal partition walls, 3. floor joists 4. floor joist coverings and 5. straight flights of stairs.
Site carpenter: Install structural fixings.
Site carpenter: Size timber from sizing tables.
Site carpenter: Apply site second fix techniques and practices for:1. service encasement, 2. cladding 3. wall and floor units and fitments, 4. handrails and spindles to straight flights of stairs, 5. internal and external doors, 6. skirting boards and architrave, 7. window boards.
Site carpenter: Apply site carpenter techniques and practices to construction of rafter roofs, including trussed (prefabricated) and traditional (built on site) including the construction of verge, eaves and fitting loft access.
Site carpenter: Use and store laser levels for example cross line laser.
Site carpenter: Form connections, for example, using joints, nails, screws, bolts and adhesive.
Site carpenter: Apply measuring, marking out, cutting (square and angled), mitring, hinging and recessing techniques.
Site carpenter: Carrying out splicing and scribing techniques.
Architectural joiner: Produce setting out details, including setting rods, and mark out for timber products.
Architectural joiner: Produce basic woodworking joints including dovetail, bridal, mortise and tenon and halving.
Architectural joiner: Form connections using dowels, biscuit, staples and adhesives.
Architectural joiner: Apply techniques and practices to the manufacture and assembly of a timber window with casement including glazing rebates and associated ironmongery.
Architectural joiner: Apply manufacture and assembly techniques for first fix products: 1. straight staircases, 2. door frames and linings.
Architectural joiner: Apply manufacture and assembly techniques for second fix products: 1. timber doors, 2. wall and floor units, 3. timber mouldings, 4. staircase spindles and balustrades.
Architectural joiner: Fit ironmongery including door locks, door handles, door hinges, latches and draw runners.
Architectural joiner: Inspect, prepare and operate fixed machinery.
Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
Identify and use safety control equipment, for example, RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
Interpret and use information from drawings and specifications.
Estimate required materials and produce a cutting list.
Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
Select, use and store hand tools.
Select, use and store power tools.
Maintain and sharpen hand tools.
Produce jigs.
Identifies well-being support available to self and others.

Your training plan

At Excel Carpentry, we believe in developing well-rounded, highly skilled carpenters. In addition to your apprenticeship training, we offer:

On-site mentoring from experienced carpenters and contracts managers.
Health & Safety certifications (e.g., CSCS card, manual handling, working at heights).
Specialist workshops on traditional techniques like sash window restoration and timber framing.
Tool training to ensure confidence with both hand and power tools.
Opportunities to work on heritage, healthcare, and high-end projects for a diverse skill set.
Career development support to help you progress within the company.

We’re committed to setting you up for a successful career in carpentry!

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 3/D)
Maths (grade 3/D)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

Applicants should consider that this role is physically demanding and requires working both indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions. You’ll be lifting heavy materials, using power tools, and working at heights. A strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn are essential. Reliable transport to sites may also be required.

About this company

Excel Carpentry Contractors Ltd. is a leading specialist in high-quality carpentry and joinery, working across healthcare, restoration, and new-build projects. We pride ourselves on our commitment to reliability, expertise, and safety. With a strong apprenticeship program, we invest in the next generation, offering real career progression in the industry.

After this apprenticeship

Full-time Carpenter Role – Start as a qualified carpenter, working on high-end projects in restoration, healthcare, and new builds.

Advanced Training – Gain further certifications or specialise in areas like heritage carpentry or fire door installation.

Team Leader/Supervisor – Progress into leading small teams and mentoring new apprentices.

Contracts/Project Management – With experience, step into management roles, overseeing entire projects and client relationships.

Long-Term Growth – Many of our apprentices have grown into senior roles, with some managing large teams and major projects.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Hannah

01223 418778

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000313874.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 31 May 2025

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