Course Details

The occupation involves carrying out advanced skilled work, primarily using timber products, either on a construction site, or in a workshop, creating and installing building components. The advanced carpenter and joiner are able to undertake complex job tasks, requiring high levels of practical skills and knowledge, in addition to managing their own work and leading small teams. The main differences between a level 2 site carpenter / architectural joiner, and a level 3 advanced site carpenter / architectural joiner are that the advanced carpenter / joiner has responsibility for managing their own and other people’s work, as well as being required to complete complex and non-standard work. Examples of complex tasks include curved products, irregular joints and bespoke work. This is a core and options apprenticeship, with two pathways: Pathway 1: An Advanced Site Carpenter will normally work on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises, preparing and installing complex and often bespoke building components e.g. high-quality doors, shaped linings, staircases with turns, complex wall and floor units, erecting bespoke structural carpentry (inclined roofs and joists) and erecting complex roof structures (e.g. inclined roofs with hips, valleys and dormers). Pathway 2: An Advanced Architectural Joiner will normally be employed in a workshop, producing complex building components by setting out, marking out and manufacturing bespoke architectural products (e.g. doors, windows, staircases with turns and panelling/ cladding. Off the Job Training Off the job training 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 can be delivered in the apprentice’s normal workplace or at College. As an apprentice you will be recording off the job training both at work and at college. The new learning must be documented and reflected on through the Learner Journal on their e-portfolio.

Once accepted onto the course, the apprentice will attend college to study practical work, theory work, undertake reviews, update their portfolio and record their ‘Off the job 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. 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 / Level 2. All required ‘Off the Job Training’ will have to have been recorded on the learners Smart Assessor 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 Level 3 qualifications in Site Management or other office-based roles in the construction industry.