Ready to Work With Timber?
Applications for September 2027 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.
Level 1 Certificate in Carpentry & Joinery
Work with timber. Cut it, shape it, join it, build something that lasts. This is your introduction to the carpentry and joinery trade, learning to use hand and power tools, produce woodworking joints, and work safely in the workshop. It is a skilled, satisfying trade with steady demand, and this is where it starts.
Got a question? Ask us
How you’ll learn
Cut It. Shape It. Join It.
This is a hands-on introduction to the carpentry and joinery trade. You’ll learn to use and maintain carpentry hand tools and power tools, and to produce basic woodworking joints, cutting and assembling them to build a jointed frame. It is practical from the start, with real timber and real tools, backed by the health and safety and construction industry knowledge every trade needs.
You’ll cover the core knowledge shared across the trades (safe working practices, technical information and communication, building methods) alongside the trade-specific skills. By the end of the year you’ll have real carpentry and joinery skills and a clear route to a Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship.
Core Knowledge
- Health and safety in construction
- Introduction to the construction industry
Carpentry & Joinery Skills
- Produce basic woodworking joints
- Maintain and use carpentry and joinery hand tools
- Prepare and use carpentry and joinery portable power tools
- A choice of practical tasks to gain the necessary credits
Entry and progression
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 1
- Further study
Entry requirements
- Grade 3 in Maths or English (the other must be a Grade 1 or 2 minimum)
- A genuine interest in carpentry, joinery and working with timber
- Successful interview with our team
If you haven't yet achieved Grade 4 in Maths or English, you'll keep working towards them alongside your course, built into your timetable.
Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
- Level 2 L2 Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Standard At this college
- Level 2 Level 2 Diploma Plumbing Foundation BPEC At this college
- Level 2 L2 Bricklayer Apprenticeship Standard At this college
See all 13 courses
At this college
Careers it can lead to
- Construction Operatives £30,800 a year
- Elementary Construction Occupations £26,300 a year
- Paper and Wood Machine Operatives £29,800 a year
- With further study or experience Carpenters and Joiners £30,300 a year
See all 9 careers
With further study or experience
- Stonemasons and Related Trades £31,500 a year
- Glaziers, Window Fabricators and Fitters £25,500 a year
- Metal Working Production and Maintenance Fitters £37,800 a year
- Bricklayers £29,100 a year
- Steel Erectors £32,300 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Life on the course
See what it’s really like
Our facilities
Spacious, Well-Equipped Workshops
You'll train in dedicated carpentry and joinery workshops built for hands-on work with timber and tools, led by tutors who've worked in the trade.
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Joinery Workshops
Spacious, well-equipped joinery workspaces with hand and power tools.
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Expert Tutors
Every session led by tutors with real carpentry and joinery experience.
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Links With Local Companies
Real experience on live projects, plus national competitions.
Real Workshops · Hand & Power Tools
Student Voice
“
I’ve gained loads of skills that’ll help me in life and in starting my career as a full-time painter and decorator. College has been a great experience—everyone’s treated equally, and the staff are really friendly and supportive. I’d definitely recommend it.
For parents and carers
Supporting your child’s journey
A Friendly, Welcoming Place
Students are often surprised by how friendly and welcoming college is. It's a supportive community where they'll build genuine friendships and feel part of something.
About student lifeQualifications That Count
These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.
See the full unit listGCSE Support Built In
If your child needs to resit GCSE English or Maths, it's built into the timetable, not bolted on as an extra. They'll get structured support alongside their main course.
About student supportLearning Support
If your child has additional learning needs, our support team works with them from day one. Adjustments are put in place early so they can get the most out of their course.
About learning supportYour next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
Want to visit first?
FE Open Event – 12th January 202712th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Got a question?
Ask us about the course, entry requirements or funding.
Call 0800 358 7575
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.
2
You meet your tutor
We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.
3
You get an offer
We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.
4
You get ready to start
Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.