Architectural Joinery Apprenticeship – Level 3

You need to be employed to start an Apprenticeship. Please visit our Apprenticeship 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 Advanced Architectural Joiner will normally be employed in a workshop, producing complex building components by setting out, marking out and manufacturing bespoke architectural products (eg. doors, windows, staircases with turns and panelling/cladding). The occupation involves carrying out advanced skilled work, primarily using timber products, either on a construction site, or in a workshop, creating and installing building components.

The advanced carpenter and joiner is able to undertake complex job tasks, requiring high levels of practical skills and knowledge, in addition to managing their own work and leading small teams.

The main differences between a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Site Carpenter/Architectural Joiner, and a Level 3 Advanced Site Carpenter/Architectural Joiner are that the Advanced Carpenter/Joiner has responsibility for managing their own and other people’s work, as well as being required to complete complex and non-standard work. Examples of complex tasks include curved products, irregular joints and bespoke work.

Units may include:

• English and maths
• Utilise advanced trade skills to carry out complex architectural joinery work to a high standard and to demanding tolerances
• Set out complex work tasks for non-standard architectural joinery products, including complex door sets, doors, windows, units and fitments, staircases (straight and with turns) and products with single/double curvature features
• Mark out accurately from setting out details for the manufacture of complex doors, opening windows, units and fitments and staircases
• Manufacture complex and non-standard architectural joinery products including doors, windows with opening lights, units and fitments, panelling/cladding, staircases (straight and with turns) and veneers
• Use, maintain and store marking and testing tools, hand tools, power tools and associated equipment required for advanced work
• Set up and use fixed machinery such as circular saws, planers, thicknessers, bandsaws, morticers, tenoners, spindle moulders, drills, grinders and sanders
• Understand the technical principles of advanced architectural joinery, using this knowledge to set out and produce cutting lists for complex and non-standard products, marking, manufacturing, fitting and assembling complex, non-standard products
• Understand how to take complex site and workplace dimensions, such as measuring curved openings and ensuring that units fit obtuse/acute angled walls
• Understand how to form and proportion advanced wood joints associated with complex architectural joinery work, such as subbed rebate joints, stub mortice and tenon joints and bridle joints
• Understand how to set up, use and maintain fixed machinery used for complex joinery tasks, such as developing and using specialist jigs to manufacture curved timber products.

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 2 English and Level 2 Mathematics (such as GCSE, Functional Skills or other).

More information about the advanced carpentry and joinery apprenticeship standard is available here.