Apprentice Wood Product Manufacturer

Summary

Working with experienced and supportive team members you will learn the skills and knowledge required to make our full range of timber buildings. Hands-on experience and learning on the job will compliment your time at college and you will be given the opportunity to understand how our buildings are designed and how raw materials are sourced.

Wage

£16,037 a year

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Training course

Wood product manufacturing operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

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

Practically you will learn how to:

Operate CNC's
Use Jigs and handtools
Assemble wooden panels
Glaze doors and panels
Attach accessories such as latches and handles
Pick and pack parts for delivery to the customer

Where you'll work

UNIT 19 BLYTHE PARK
CRESSWELL LANE
CRESSWELL
STOKE ON TRENT
ST11 9RD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

STOKE ON TRENT COLLEGE

Your training course

Wood product manufacturing operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

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.

Your training plan

Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
You will attend college on a day release which will form part of your 20% off the job training

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English or Maths (grade 4 (C) or above)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Design and Technology (grade 4 (C) or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative
Good hand-eye coordination
Pride in doing a good job

Other requirements

On an ongoing daily basis the post involves working with wood and the regular lifting and carrying of heavy and awkward items (e.g. timber, shed panels). It will also involve the use of vibrating equipment such as air powered nail guns. A good level of physical fitness is therefore required.

About this company

We are a global market leader in the design, manufacture and retail of garden and leisure buildings. Products range from entry level greenhouses and sheds through to luxury greenhouses, summerhouses, and garden offices. Our Head Office and Factory is in Cresswell, Stoke-on-Trent and we also have over 30 display sites based at garden centres from Aberdeenshire to Dorset. Dynamic, innovative, customer driven, caring - a few words we use to describe our family owned and run business. Our people, circa 170, are of the utmost importance to us. We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and on our customer service, which are considered integral to our growth.

http://www.greenhousepeople.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

It is hoped that on completion of the apprenticeship the apprentice will remain with our growing business

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