Props Carpentry Apprentice

Summary

The Props Carpentry Apprenticeship is an opportunity to learn and understand the trade of props carpenter within the performing arts industry.

Wage

£16,685.50 to £26,984.10, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Craft carpentry and joinery (level 3)

Hours

Working week is 42.5 hours: Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.30pm.

42 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

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

Learn to work in wood; to measure, cut, drill, join and fix wood and other construction components using moder and traditional methods.
Learn to select the correct wood type for the job, gaining understanding of the qualities of different wood types.
Learn how manufacture props to a high standard using carpentry and joinery techniques as well as use machines, power and hand tools safely and accurately
Learn to read and interpret technical and construction drawings, to ensure accurate and durable props are made that realise the Designer’s vision.
Learn to draw up full size working drawings.
Have a positive and responsible attitude to health and safety.
Submit learning logs and diaries to the Apprenticeships Manager.

Where you’ll work

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 9DD

Training

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

College or training organisation

BUILDING CRAFTS COLLEGE

Your training course

Craft carpentry and joinery (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
Identify and use safety control equipment including RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
Implement and monitor safe systems of work and control measures.
Interpret and extract information using paper based or digital techniques from drawings, specifications and provide work instructions.
Calculate resource and cost quantities from site measurements.
Apply environmental and sustainable principles in compliance with regulations, standards and systems for example segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
Apply planning, work scheduling and time management techniques to identify and agree production plan targets.
Apply quality assurance procedures.
Select, check and use hand and power tools.
Complete documentation - paper based or digital. For example, job sheets, time sheets, risk assessments, method statements, equipment service records, handover documents, work sheets, checklists, incident reports, requisition sheets, quality records.
Communicate and report in written form any issues against the production plan and contribute to the solutions.
Obtain, monitor and rotate stock and supplies.
CSC: Apply craft site first fix carpentry techniques and practices to install timber stud partitions with standard and non-standard (non–90 degree) turns.
CSC: Apply craft site carpentry techniques and practices to install complex first fix elements: 1. fire door linings, 2. floor coverings with non-standard (non–90 degree) returns and 3. structural partitions.
CSC: Apply craft site second fix carpentry techniques and practices to install double side hung doors with associated ironmongery and lining. Non-standard (non–90 degree) mouldings.
CSC: Apply craft site carpentry techniques and practices to install complex second fix elements: 1. bespoke wall and floor units (commissioned order with features or like for like replacement), 2. worktops with masons mitre, 3. cornices and fitments, 4. spindles and handrails to stairs with turns, 5. fire doors. 6. service encasements with access panels, 7. non-standard (non-90 degree) door linings.
CSC: Apply craft site carpentry techniques and practices to erect trussed or traditional roofs rafter roofs with hips, valleys and dormers.
CSC: Form non-standard (non–90 degree) joints.
CSC: Replace or repair carpentry work, for example, structural timbers doors, glazing, window frames and sills, mouldings, timber guttering and fixings or sash window cords.
CAJ: Set out, mark out and form curved joinery products.
CAJ: Form shaped wood working joints.
CAJ: Set up and use CNC machinery to produce joinery products.
CAJ: Apply craft architectural joinery techniques to manufacture and assemble a window frame with, curved head and non-standard (non–90 degree) window bars.
CAJ: Apply craft architectural joinery techniques and practices to manufacture and assemble complex timber second fix products: 1. fire doors 2. shaped , non-standard doors 3. bespoke wall and floor units (commissioned order with features or like for like replacement).
CAJ: Apply craft architectural joinery techniques and practices to manufacture and assemble complex timber first fix products: 1. staircases with turns 2. fire door linings, 3. bespoke windows with non-standard (non–90 degree) angles, 4. shaped, non-standard door linings.
CAJ: Apply craft architectural techniques to create shaped work using specialist jigs and fixed machinery.
Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
Identify and use safety control equipment including RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
Implement and monitor safe systems of work and control measures.
Interpret and extract information using paper based or digital techniques from drawings, specifications and provide work instructions.
Calculate resource and cost quantities from site measurements.
Apply environmental and sustainable principles in compliance with regulations, standards and systems for example segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
Apply planning, work scheduling and time management techniques to identify and agree production plan targets.
Apply quality assurance procedures.
Select, check and use hand and power tools.
Complete documentation - paper based or digital. For example, job sheets, time sheets, risk assessments, method statements, equipment service records, handover documents, work sheets, checklists, incident reports, requisition sheets, quality records.
Communicate and report in written form any issues against the production plan and contribute to the solutions.
Obtain, monitor and rotate stock and supplies.

Your training plan

You will be based in the Props Department at the home of the Royal Ballet and Opera, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London.
Your time will be split between the workshop and the
Building Crafts College in Stratford, E15, where you will study
for a Level 3 Craft Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Standard.
Work is usually carried out in the props carpentry workshop at the ROH but you may occasionally be required to work at other venues.
Time at college will be in 2-3 week blocks.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

(no previous qualifications required) (grade n/a)

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
Problem solving skills
Team working
Previous woodwork experience
Enjoy working with your hands
Helpful, positive and flexible
Punctual
Self-motivated
Willing to work at height
Good spatial awareness
Respectful approach to safety
Previous metalwork experience

Other requirements

You must be 18 years old or over on 1 Sept 2025. You must have work authorisation for the UK. You must not have completed a university degree or equivalent in the UK or elsewhere (regardless of subject). You must be physically capable of undertaking the requirements of the job. Reasonable adjustments will be considered as part of your application.

About this company

We bring together the world’s most extraordinary artists in live, streamed and broadcast events and performances that thrill, move and excite; that transport people to other worlds. Our theatres are in London’s Covent Garden but our work is accessed and experienced across the UK and globally through touring partnerships, cinema programmes, free outdoor screenings, radio, TV and live-streaming.

http://www.roh.org.uk/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Able to secure entry level role in Props Carpentry / Metalwork or similar in the creative industries.
Put all the skills learned at college into practice in a production workshop environment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BUILDING CRAFTS COLLEGE

apprentices@roh.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000314689.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Monday 12 May 2025)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Give yourself plenty of time to complete the application form. These apprenticeships are designed for people who are passionate about pursuing a career, but who still have lots to learn! Don’t be afraid to give examples from your hobbies, clubs or school activities. We are not necessarily looking for any experience in a workplace (your previous woodworking or metalwork experience could be at school, youth club, home or a workplace etc.).

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