Course Overview

You need to be employed to start an Apprenticeship. Please visit our vacancy page or if you have an employer, please ensure you add full contact details of your employer within your application. If you are unable to secure employment, you could enrol on a full-time study programme and transfer to an Apprenticeship at a later date. Please apply for a full-time course as your second option.

An Architectural Joiner will normally be employed in a workshop producing timber based building components and other architectural products, such as doors, windows, units and staircases, which are then transported to construction sites to be installed by site carpenters.

Units could include:

• English and maths
• Work safely and be aware of key health, safety and welfare issues
• Carry out a range of job tasks including drawing, measuring, marking out, fitting, finishing, positioning and securing
• Produce setting out details for the manufacture of doors, windows and opening lights, units and stairs
• Mark out timber from setting out details for the manufacture of doors, windows and opening lights, units and/or fitments and staircases
• Create, fit and assemble components to manufacture doors, windows with opening lights, units and/or fitments and staircases
• Use, maintain and store specific architectural joinery tools and equipment, such as marking and testing tools, power tools and hand tools
• Understand the technical principles of architectural joinery and how they are applied in routine tasks, such as, setting out and producing cutting lists, marking out from setting out details and producing cutting lists, fitting and assembling routine products
• Understand how to accurately take site and workplace dimensions
• Understand how to form and proportion joints associated with architectural joinery work, such as mortice and tenon, dovetail and comb joints
• Understand why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking architectural joinery work (eg. personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• Understand how to use, maintain and store marking and testing tools, hand tools, power tools and associated equipment
• Understand how to requisition architectural joinery materials, such as timber, adhesives and fixings
• Understand how to work at height and use access equipment safely

Modules are taught via interactive theory sessions in the classroom, while practical sessions are delivered in the purpose-built carpentry and joinery workshop and outdoor training area. The qualification includes Level 1 English and Level 1 Mathematics (such as GCSE, Functional Skills or other).

More information about the advanced carpentry and joinery apprenticeship standard is availablehere

Assessment Methods

The apprenticeship includes a College-based formative assessment and you must achieve a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to demonstrate competency in your chosen occupation.

You will be expected to collect and upload a portfolio of evidence from the workplace. Assessment is in the workplace and through a knowledge and practical end point assessment (EPA). The EPA is intended to test your higher order skills as defined in the apprenticeship standard as developed by the Independent End-Point Assessment Organisation(s) in consultation with the employers working group.

Progression Options

On completion of this standard, some apprentices may progress onto the Advanced Apprenticeship Standard in Carpentry and Joinery, or secure employment as a Site Carpenter or Architectural Joiner.

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