Summary
Kickstart your career in wood product manufacturing with Andy Dunbar Joinery. As a Level 2 Apprentice, you’ll learn to produce high-quality timber components, master precision joinery techniques, and work on bespoke projects. Gain hands-on experience in a busy workshop and develop skills valued across the construction industry.
Wage
£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Wood product manufacturing operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Thursday 8am– 4:30pm Friday 8am – 3-30pm These can be flexible depending on travel/arrival time for candidate.
39 hours a week
Start date
Monday 1 December 2025
Duration
2 years
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Your apprenticeship will be spent in the workplace, learning on the job by getting hands-on experience.
As a wood product manufacturing apprentice at Andy Dunbar Joinery, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a real working environment. Guided by skilled professionals, you’ll be involved in every stage of the joinery process from selecting raw materials to crafting high-quality finished products.
Key Tasks and Duties:
* Identify and select appropriate wood species for different projects
* Measure, mark, and cut timber to precise specifications
* Prepare wood surfaces through planing, sanding, and shaping
* Safely operate woodworking tools and machines (saws, lathes, routers, etc.)
* Maintain tools and equipment in good working condition
* Always follow safety procedures and workshop protocols
* Construct components using traditional and modern joinery techniques
* Read and interpret technical drawings or plans
* Assemble wood parts accurately with attention to detail
* Hand Finish Products ready for Decoration
* Apply finishes such as oils, stains, or lacquers to protect and enhance wood surfaces
* Inspect completed products for defects or inconsistencies
* Perform touch-ups or refinements as needed to meet quality standards
* Keep the workshop clean, organised, and stocked with materials
* Assist in inventory checks and ordering supplies
* Support team members with various workshop tasks as needed
This apprenticeship is designed to build your technical skills, craftsmanship, understanding of the full production process and setting you up for a successful career in wood manufacturing.
Where you'll work
1 Tyne Court, Wallis Road
Skippers Lane Industrial Estate
Middlesbrough
TS6 6DT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
Training course
Wood product manufacturing operative (level 2)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Comply with health, safety and environmental requirements, for example safe use of personal and respiratory protective equipment, local exhaust ventilation, statutory regulations and industry standards/codes of practice.
* Identify risks and hazards in the workplace and apply appropriate control measures.
* Comply with organisational and statutory environmental and sustainability considerations, for example disposal of waste, recycling of materials and efficient use of resources.
* Communicate - verbal and/or written, for example with colleagues and/or customers.
* Plan work to undertake wood product manufacturing operations.
* Read and interpret specifications, diagrams and work instructions, and following these instructions.
* Select the correct type and quantity of components and materials.
* Prepare the work area before undertaking the work.
* Identify faults and issues, for example incorrect or defective wood, defective machinery; and applying solutions.
* Pack and store products and components.
* Select, set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce wood components.
* Prepare and operate Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment.
* Use and maintain jigs and templates for wood product manufacturing operations.
* Position wood components and apply manual and mechanical cramps to ensure products are secured and in accordance with the work specification.
* Assemble wood components to the work specification and given tolerances.
* Sand materials and de-nib.
* Apply adhesives to wood components.
* Apply finishes to wood products, for example stains, sealers, basecoats and paint finishes.
* Instal fixtures and fittings to wood products, for example ironmongery, seals, ancillary metal work and fixings, nail plates and staples.
* Carry out glazing operations, for example install glass to window or door.
* Check and and inspect work to ensure it meets the work specification; undertake rectification or rework where necessary
* Report work outcomes and/or problems.
* Complete the handover process to other manufacturing process functions/teams.
* Complete work documentation, for example job sheets, time cards.
* Comply with health, safety and environmental requirements, for example safe use of personal and respiratory protective equipment, local exhaust ventilation, statutory regulations and industry standards/codes of practice.
* Identify risks and hazards in the workplace and apply appropriate control measures.
* Comply with organisational and statutory environmental and sustainability considerations, for example disposal of waste, recycling of materials and efficient use of resources.
* Communicate - verbal and/or written, for example with colleagues and/or customers.
* Plan work to undertake wood product manufacturing operations.
* Read and interpret specifications, diagrams and work instructions, and following these instructions.
* Select the correct type and quantity of components and materials.
* Prepare the work area before undertaking the work.
* Identify faults and issues, for example incorrect or defective wood, defective machinery; and applying solutions.
* Pack and store products and components.
* Select, set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce wood components.
* Prepare and operate Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment.
* Use and maintain jigs and templates for wood product manufacturing operations.
* Position wood components and apply manual and mechanical cramps to ensure products are secured and in accordance with the work specification.
* Assemble wood components to the work specification and given tolerances.
* Sand materials and de-nib.
* Apply adhesives to wood components.
* Apply finishes to wood products, for example stains, sealers, basecoats and paint finishes.
* Instal fixtures and fittings to wood products, for example ironmongery, seals, ancillary metal work and fixings, nail plates and staples.
* Carry out glazing operations, for example install glass to window or door.
* Check and and inspect work to ensure it meets the work specification; undertake rectification or rework where necessary
* Report work outcomes and/or problems.
* Complete the handover process to other manufacturing process functions/teams.
* Complete work documentation, for example job sheets, time cards.
Training schedule
You will be completing the Level 2 Wood Product Manufacturing Apprenticeship Standard with Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills, Darlington.
This Apprenticeship is designed to equip participants with the fundamentals required to start a successful career. The programme can be delivered using a blend of on-line, anytime learning and expert-led classroom training covering core topics.
Throughout this Apprenticeship, participants will be supported by tutors who have worked in this environment and have gained many years of experience and who can truly support you to develop the skills and knowledge required to work in a wide range of manufacturing roles.
More training information
Training will be provided to achieve the following qualifications:
Level 2 Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship Standard
Training will take place weekly, primarily remotely, with additional meetings planned if required. During the course you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure these exceed the minimum requirements for the Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship Standard Level 2 apprenticeship standard.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 1+/G+)
* maths (grade 1+/G+)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4+/ C+)
* maths (grade 4+/ C+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Patience
* Physical fitness
* Mature attitude to training
Other requirements
The job role can be physically demanding. You may be required to attend our training centre in Darlington (DL1 4QZ) and you would need to make your own way there for training. Travel to and from the employer, based at Skippers Lane, Middlesbrough TS6 6DT. This job role will be based in the employers workshop and is not an off-site job role or related to a site carpentry job role. The Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage guide (ANMW):