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Home » Courses » Apprenticeship Standard: Craft Architectural Joiner

Apprenticeship Standard: Craft Architectural Joiner

As an advanced joiner you will be able to carry out advanced, skilled joinery work primarily using timber products, either on a construction site or in a workshop, and undertake complex tasks requiring high levels of practical skills and knowledge.

Why Choose This Course?

Advanced architectural joiners are employed in a workshop producing complex building components by setting out, marking out and producing assembled components requiring advanced skilled work including the full range of woodworking machines. There will sometimes be a need for refurbishment/repair work of bespoke pieces. Joiners have an in-depth knowledge of a range of manufacturing components from a range of hardwoods and softwoods. The Level 3 Apprenticeship prepares you for an occupation that is found in both the new build and refurbishment construction sector. The construction industry is central to creating the homes, schools, hospitals, energy, and transport infrastructure society needs. There is growing demand for carpenters and joiners to help meet the need for new homes.

The broad purpose of advanced carpentry is working with timber to create and install building components. This typically involves shaping and cutting materials, installing finished materials like partitions, doors, staircases, window frames, mouldings, timber floor coverings and erecting structural components such as floor joists and roofs. All work needs to be carried out safely, using the appropriate tools and to the quality specified.

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Start date: 20/10/2025

Course code
APJOIN325P
Level
Level 3
Location
Penwith College
Duration
1 year 7 months
Qualification
Apprenticeship

Top Course Highlights

Supervisory Skills

Pathway to HE

Outstanding Facilities

Hands-On Learning

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Learn from sector experts

You will be taught by staff with extensive experience who will advance your knowledge and skills to meet the expectations of the construction industry.

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Enjoy professional environments

Enjoy workshops that replicate the world of work within industry, kitted out with tools and materials which meet those used on site.

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Develop skills in line with industry needs

Learn skills that are required in industry, enhancing not only your knowledge and practical ability but also your future employability.

What Will I Learn?

The programme is broken down into modules of delivery which are covered within industry with your employer and during your time at College. The curriculum is divided into a few categories. An example of what you will be covering is detailed below:

Knowledge

  • How to access data needed to plan and execute work tasks accurately, including an understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its impact on construction projects.
  • The importance of team working and being prepared to take a lead.
  • 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.
  • How to take complex site and workplace dimensions, such as measuring curved openings and ensuring that units fit obtuse/acute angled walls.
  • 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.

Skills

  • 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, mortices, tenoners, spindle moulders, drills, grinders and sanders.
  • Utilise advanced trade skills to carry out complex architectural joinery work to a high standard and to demanding tolerances.
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Where Will It Take Me?

Achievement of this qualification demonstrates to an employer that you have the necessary technical skills and knowledge they are looking for when recruiting for an advanced joiner. This may be working for a house building company, a property development company or working as part of a small business repairing and refurbishing buildings.

This qualification will allow you to progress on to employment, enhancing the skills and knowledge that you have gained at Level 3 or to progress on to a Higher-Level Apprenticeship or an HNC/HND in Construction.

Entry Requirements

For entry to this programme, you will need a Level 2 Carpentry qualification (or equivalent) and you will need either a Level 2 in Functional Skills or a Grade 3 in English and Maths GCSE. You must have a keen interest in construction and a good work ethic. You must be able to work alone and as part of a team and demonstrate commitment to the course.

Assessment Arrangements

The employer, in consultation with the training provider, will make the judgement as to whether the Apprentice is ready for end-point assessment through the achievement of the following: Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Architectural Joinery and a recognised Level 2 English and Mathematics qualification. On conclusion that the assessment gateway requirements have been achieved, you will be able to proceed to the end-point assessment stage of the Apprenticeship. It is expected that you will complete the assessment gateway requirements within three months of your planned Apprenticeship completion.

Your end-point assessment will consist of the following measures of knowledge and competence:

  • Knowledge Test
  • Practical Assessment

Additional Information

We provide all of the tools and materials for the course, however you will be responsible for your own PPE and will be required to come equipped with a pair of steel toe capped boots and a pair of safety glasses.

Awarding Body: City and Guilds

Meet the staff, tour the campus and find out about life as a student at one of the best colleges in the country.

What you could earn

  • Quantity Surveyors
  • Chartered Surveyors
  • Architects
  • Production Managers and Directors in Construction
  • Construction and Building Trades Supervisors
  • Elementary Construction Occupations
  • Construction Operatives
  • Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives
Potential Salary

£74,754

Entry Level Salary

£25,165

Average Salary

£42,611

Annual openings in Cornwall

12

Potential Salary

£67,885

Entry Level Salary

£25,244

Average Salary

£38,695

Annual openings in Cornwall

11

Potential Salary

£73,902

Entry Level Salary

£25,802

Average Salary

£42,125

Annual openings in Cornwall

2

Potential Salary

£98,396

Entry Level Salary

£18,992

Average Salary

£47,968

Annual openings in Cornwall

57

Potential Salary

£59,937

Entry Level Salary

£29,027

Average Salary

£42,253

Annual openings in Cornwall

13

Potential Salary

£34,975

Entry Level Salary

£11,087

Average Salary

£22,674

Annual openings in Cornwall

53

Potential Salary

£39,882

Entry Level Salary

£16,242

Average Salary

£26,217

Annual openings in Cornwall

35

Potential Salary

£68,085

Entry Level Salary

£27,728

Average Salary

£44,757

Annual openings in Cornwall

1

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