Course Details

The occupation involves carrying out skilled work, primarily using timber products, either on a construction site, or in a workshop, creating and installing building components. This is a core and options apprenticeship, with two pathways: Pathway 1: A Site Carpenter will normally work on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises, preparing and fixing building components, from the initial erection of a new building, through to the installation of all necessary fixtures and fittings, as well as a range of repair and maintenance activities. Pathway 2: An Architectural Joiner will normally be employed in a workshop producing timber-based building components and other architectural products, such as doors, windows, units and staircases, which are then transported to construction sites to be installed by site carpenters. Off the Job Training A key requirement of an Apprenticeship is Off-the-job training. This must make up at least 20% of the apprentice’s contracted hours, over the total duration of the apprentice’s planned training period. Off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard and must take place within the apprentice’s normal working hours. The new learning must be documented and reflected on through the Learner Journal on e-portfolio.

Before a candidate is offered a place on the Joinery Apprenticeship, both the candidate and the employer will be assessed to make sure they’re suitable to undertake the apprenticeship. The apprentice will need to meet academic entry requirements and the employer must be able to offer the apprentice the range of work required to enable the candidate to gather sufficient evidence throughout the course. Once accepted onto the course, the apprentice will attend college one day per week to study Practical training, theory work, undertake reviews, update their portfolio and record their ‘Off the job Training’. The apprentices will also attend several block weeks for their practical training. The apprentice will be assessed by a work-based assessor through practical work with their employer and at college. Review of progress and growth targets will be set every 4 – 10 weeks, depending on individual needs. A full delivery plan will be provided when the apprentice starts on the programme. End Point Assessment During their time on-programme, the apprentice will build a portfolio of evidence of their work and their knowledge. The assessor and employer will help the apprentice to create a ‘Showcase portfolio’ which will be used by an Independent End-Point Assessor during the End-Point Assessment. The apprentice will study Functional Skills Maths & English if they have not already achieved a Grade 4 or above in their GCSE’s. 20% of the apprenticeship must be made up of ‘Off the Job Training’ which is explained within this information pack. Once both the assessor and employer are confident that the apprentice is ready for EPA then the apprentice will go through the gateway. In order for the apprentice to go through the gateway they must have passed their Maths & English GCSE’s at grade 4 or above OR have passed Level 1 Functional Skills and have taken an assessment at Level 2. All required ‘Off the Job Training’ will have to have been recorded on the learners e-portfolio (OneFile) account. This will then allow apprentices to be booked in for the End Point Assessment (EPA). The Final Assessment forms a large part of the assessment of the apprenticeship and will be delivered by a 3rd party independent assessor. End-Point Assessment includes: • An Online Knowledge Test (45 Questions / 60 Minutes) • A Skills test in an unfamiliar location (6 Hours) • Oral Questioning related to the learners Showcase Portfolio (60 Minutes) Progression The Joinery apprenticeship will qualify apprentices to a good standard which will enable them to work independently as a Joiner. Apprentices could also move onto the Level 3 advanced apprenticeship in Joinery or other Level 3 qualifications such as site management and other office-based roles.