WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN IM OLDER! CAPENTER AND JOINER

WHAT TYPE OF JOBS WOULD YOU DO ? Carpenters and joiners make and install the wooden fixtures and fittings found in domestic and commercial construction projects. These can include floorboards, kitchen and bathroom units, window frames and doors, roof trusses and wall partitions.

As a carpenter or joiner your work could fall into one or more of the following areas: formwork – building temporary shuttering to support setting concrete, for example on motorway bridge supports or building foundations machining – cutting and shaping timber for floorboards, skirting boards and window frames (see the Wood Machinist profile) bench joinery – making and assembling doors, window frames, staircases and fitted furniture first fixing (site work) – fitting the wooden structures of a building, such as floor and roof joists, roof timbers, staircases, partition walls, and door and window frames second fixing (site work) – installing skirting boards, door surrounds, doors, cupboards and shelving, as well as door handles and locks shop fitting – making and fitting interiors for shops, hotels, banks, offices and public buildings (see the Shopfitter profile).

HOW MUCH DO YOU EARN ? Starting salaries are between £13,500 and £16,000. Qualified joiners can earn between £17,000 and £23,000 a year. Experienced joiners can earn up to £28,000. YOU MAY GET A DIFFENT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF WORK YOU DO AND WHAT COMPANY IT IS.

What qualifications do I need ? You do not need any formal qualifications to become a carpenter or joiner, but employers tend to want people with some on-site experience. If you have not worked in construction before, then you could work as a joiner's mate or labourer to gain site experience. Once working, your employer may be willing to offer you training in carpentry and joinery.

A useful website to look on. yourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile183/ yourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile183/