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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Carpenters and Joiners in Somerset CLCI: UF CRCI: BB Carpenters and joiners prepare and put into place wooden parts of buildings. The work ranges from measuring and sawing roughly cut floorboards to fixing roof trusses in place; from fitting kitchens and windows to hanging doors. The job involves using tools, understanding drawings and working with different types of wood. A wood machinist, working in a factory or workshop, makes useful items from wood and prepares doors, gates, windows and staircases for fitting into buildings. To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library. THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CARPENTERS AND JOINERS IN SOMERSET In Somerset there are many different sized building companies employing carpenters and joiners. Some businesses specialise in woodwork trades and only employ carpenters and joiners. Others are large building companies that employ skilled carpenters and joiners alongside other workers. In a small building firm you may do all sorts of jobs including carpentry and joinery. There are also jobs in Somerset factories where wood machining and assembly are the main tasks. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college full-time to do a carpentry and joinery course   Start as a trainee – or Apprentice – and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   GCSEs in English, maths, and design/technology subjects are useful   NVQs in carpentry and joinery (either full-time at college or through an apprenticeship) More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? One Somerset joinery manufacturer makes conservation-style windows to replace old rotting windows in historic buildings in London WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. Earnings will probably increase as you pass exams and gain experience. When fully-qualified you can expect to earn around £400 per week FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   You’ll probably need a set of tools when you start your training   You should be prepared to work outdoors in all weathers and sometimes climb ladders   Accidents happen so you need to be aware of health and safety and follow rules   A driving licence is useful (but you may need to be 25 to drive company vehicles because of insurance)   If you’re working for a large building firm you can get promoted into management or something specialist like site surveying, buying or sales work   There are chances to work for yourself. Lots of work is sub-contracted to self-employed carpenters and builders   If you’re a wood machinist in a factory you’ll probably be using computer aided design (CAD) and computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. To use this equipment you may need to be 18 and be properly trained WHO DOES THE WORK? Helen (20) lives in Yeovil. After GCSEs Helen worked in an office but soon found she really wanted more practical work. Luckily she soon found an apprenticeship with a local building firm where she recently completed her training. Helen found it very useful going to college every week to do her NVQs in carpentry and joinery Javed (21) works as a carpenter for a company based in Bridgwater. After GCSEs Javed went to college full-time to do NVQ carpentry and joinery. Following his course Javed started working for a firm that travels around the South West working on large building projects. He really enjoys the work and has been offered promotion helping the site supervisor train new apprentices. More Info: A-Z careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use