Apprentice Carpenter
J L O'ROURKE & SONS LTD
SLOUGH (SL1 2AU)
Closes on Wednesday 1 October 2025
Posted on 27 August 2025
Contents
Summary
We are seeking a motivated and hardworking Apprentice Carpenter to join our team. The Apprentice Carpenter will work closely with skilled carpenters to learn the trade, assist with carpentry tasks, and grow their skills in a practical environment.
- Wage
-
£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Carpentry and joinery (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday (hours to be confirmed at interview stage)
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Saturday 1 November 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
The daily duties and responsibilities of an Apprentice Carpenter include:
1. Assisting in the layout and preparation of projects, under the guidance of the qualified
carpenter
2. Measuring, cutting and assembling materials with precision
3. Operating a variety of hand and power tools, including saws, drills, and sanders
4. Helping with the installation of structures and fixtures such as windows, doors and flooring
5. Performing repairs and maintenance tasks as needed
6. Adhering to safety protocols and procedures at all times
7. Learning and applying carpentry techniques and skills from the master carpenter
8. Ensuring work areas are kept clean and organized
Where you'll work
120 ALBERT STREET
SLOUGH
SL1 2AU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEST THAMES COLLEGE
Training course
Carpentry and joinery (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Identify and use safety control equipment, for example, RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
- Interpret and use information from drawings and specifications.
- Estimate required materials and produce a cutting list.
- Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
- Select, use and store hand tools.
- Select, use and store power tools.
- Maintain and sharpen hand tools.
- Produce jigs.
- Identifies well-being support available to self and others.
- Site carpenter: Apply first fix techniques and practices for: 1. structural carcassing (load bearing studwork), 2. straight timber or metal partition walls, 3. floor joists 4. floor joist coverings and 5. straight flights of stairs.
- Site carpenter: Install structural fixings.
- Site carpenter: Size timber from sizing tables.
- Site carpenter: Apply site second fix techniques and practices for: 1. service encasement, 2. cladding 3. wall and floor units and fitments, 4. handrails and spindles to straight flights of stairs, 5. internal and external doors, 6. skirting boards and architrave, 7. window boards.
- Site carpenter: Apply site carpenter techniques and practices to construction of rafter roofs, including trussed (prefabricated) and traditional (built on site) including the construction of verge, eaves and fitting loft access.
- Site carpenter: Use and store laser levels for example cross line laser.
- Site carpenter: Form connections, for example, using joints, nails, screws, bolts and adhesive.
- Site carpenter: Apply measuring, marking out, cutting (square and angled), mitring, hinging and recessing techniques.
- Site carpenter: Carrying out splicing and scribing techniques.
- Architectural joiner: Produce setting out details, including setting rods, and mark out for timber products.
- Architectural joiner: Produce basic woodworking joints including dovetail, bridal, mortise and tenon and halving.
- Architectural joiner: Form connections using dowels, biscuit, staples and adhesives.
- Architectural joiner: Apply techniques and practices to the manufacture and assembly of a timber window with casement including glazing rebates and associated ironmongery.
- Architectural joiner: Apply manufacture and assembly techniques for first fix products: 1. straight staircases, 2. door frames and linings.
- Architectural joiner: Apply manufacture and assembly techniques for second fix products: 1. timber doors, 2. wall and floor units, 3. timber mouldings, 4. staircase spindles and balustrades.
- Architectural joiner: Fit ironmongery including door locks, door handles, door hinges, latches and draw runners.
- Architectural joiner: Inspect, prepare and operate fixed machinery.
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Identify and use safety control equipment, for example, RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
- Interpret and use information from drawings and specifications.
- Estimate required materials and produce a cutting list.
- Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
- Select, use and store hand tools.
- Select, use and store power tools.
- Maintain and sharpen hand tools.
- Produce jigs.
- Identifies well-being support available to self and others.
Training schedule
Apprentice will attend West Thames College Feltham (Skills Centre) once a week to complete a Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship.
More training information
Responsibilities
1. Assist lead carpenter in installation and construction tasks
2. Learn and apply carpentry techniques and methods
3. Use hand and power tools to complete tasks
4. Follow all safety protocols and workplace policies
5. Measure, cut and shape wood, plastic, and other materials
6. Participate in first-fix and second-fix projects
7. Help with the loading and unloading of materials
8. Clean work areas and ensure tools are properly maintained
9. Contribute to the crafting of wooden structures and surfaces
10. Participate in workshops and training programs to enhance skills
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C or 4)
- Maths (grade C or 4)
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
- Customer care skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
1. Basic understanding of carpentry techniques and methods of installation and construction 2. Proficient in using hand and power tools 3. Good physical condition and endurance, able to lift heavy materials and equipment 4. Able to read and interpret technical documents and drawings 5. Good mathematical skills and ability to use measuring tools 6. Willingness to learn and strong desire to become a skilled carpenter
About this employer
J L O’Rourke & Sons, Carpentry & Joinery Contractors based in Slough, Berkshire was founded by Larry O’Rourke in 1964. The business which started as a sole-trader was incorporated as a limited company in 1974 and over the decades, due to the entrepreneurship and dedication of Larry, has gained a reputation as one of the best labour-only subcontract carpentry firms in the South East region.
After this apprenticeship
The right candidate might continue to Level 3 apprenticeship or move into a permanent role within the company.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEST THAMES COLLEGE
Jasmine Matthias
jasmine.matthias@west-thames.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000338923.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 1 October 2025
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