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Site Carpenter Apprenticeship

Qualification: Intermediate
Level 2

There are start dates for this apprenticeship throughout the year. Please apply and our apprenticeship team will be in contact with you to discuss.

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About this apprenticeship

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As an apprentice Site Carpenter, you will gain a fundamental set of skills, knowledge and behaviours required to work as a carpenter on building sites and in the construction sector. A Site Carpenter normally works on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises, preparing and fixing building components as well as a range of repair and maintenance activities.

On this level 2 site carpentry apprenticeship, you will learn to use hand and power tools to demonstrate a range of fundamental skills including measuring, marking out, fitting, cutting, splicing, mitring, scribing, levelling, finishing, positioning and securing.

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During this apprenticeship, you will acquire and develop the appropriate skills, knowledge and behaviours required for a site carpenter role. This will include how to:

  • Prepare, use and maintain hand tools, power tools and equipment
  • Work safely and efficiently with limited supervision
  • Carry out first fix and second fix work
  • Carry out timber stud partition work
  • Erect trussed rafter roofs, construct gables, verge and eaves
  • Install floor joists and coverings
  • interpret information from drawings and specifications
  • Estimate resource quantities to carry out work

You will be expected to work with limited supervision and take responsibility for the outcomes of your work, with support from your employer and City College as the training provider.

More detailed information can be found on the apprenticeship standard website (new window).

As an apprentice you can expect to undertake work based learning with an employer and to be paid a wage. 

You will attend college on a block release basis to ensure you get the support you need to succeed. The rest of the training will take place in the workplace with in-house training provided by the employer. 

You will be assigned an assessor who will help guide you through the entire apprenticeship.

Our construction workshops provide a fantastic learning environment with industry-standard equipment, where you can learn everything you need for you to begin your carpentry career. 

We also have industry experts tutors, who will be on hand to teach and guide you through and answer any questions you may have.

Candidates will typically have a minimum of GCSEs at grade 3/D or above (or equivalent) which must include English and maths. Evidence of this will need to be provided prior to starting your apprenticeship. Candidates without GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths (or level 2 functional skills) will need to take the tests for this level prior to taking their End Point Assessment (EPA).

To start an apprenticeship you will need an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice.  If you already have an employer please contact us.  

If you don't have an employer already, view our current apprenticeship vacancies.

You will be required to attend a College interview prior to enrolling onto an apprenticeship.

You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

  • Fees:
  • Course Length: 24 months
  • Campus:

On completion you could progress to an advanced apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery or architectural joinery, or progress to a wide range of employment opportunities.

Information for Employers

Off-the-job training

Each apprenticeship must include 20% off-the-job training, which amounts to 20% of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship.  Off-the-job training is any learning undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.  Examples of this would be shadowing colleagues, attending supplier meetings, taking external courses, Toolbox talks etc.

End Point Assessment

Each apprentice will need to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship.  It measures the skills, knowledge and behaviours each apprentice has developed.  

An apprentice can only take this assessment once all other aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed.  An apprentice needs to be completely ready to take this assessment and the employer and assessor will decide when the time is right.  A declaration will be signed by both the employer, apprentice and assessor.  If the apprentice fails the assessment, then there will be a re-sit charge, which is generally paid by the employer.

The EPA Consists of two parts:

1)  Knowledge Assessment: A 45-minute short written test consisting of 35 questions. The questions are designed to assess the apprentice’s understanding of the core and specific knowledge and behavioural requirements. The Knowledge Assessment will be delivered in a controlled invigilated environment approved by NOCN.

2)  Practical Assessment: A skills test that requires the apprentice to complete a practical activity and will include oral questioning, where required to ensure the apprentice has the Skills, supporting Knowledge and Behaviours for the chosen job role. The test for both pathways Site Carpentry and Architectural Joinery will take a minimum of 6 hours to complete.