Carpentry Apprentice

OXFORD DIRECT SERVICES LIMITED

Oxford (OX4 2RH)

Closes in 25 days (Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 6 May 2026

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Summary

Start your career in carpentry with ODS. This hands-on apprenticeship will develop your skills across repairs, installations and some joinery work while gaining a Level 2 qualification, with progression to Level 3 and long-term career opportunities.

Wage

£15,434.29 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary reviewed in line with apprenticeship progression and policy.

£15,434.29 yr 1

£15,671.00 yr 2

Training course
Carpentry and joinery (level 2)
Hours
8am- 4pm Monday to Thursday and 8am- 3:30pm Friday ,30 min break.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

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

  • Assist with repairing and replacing doors, frames, architraves and casings
  • Support installation and repair of kitchens, units and worktops
  • Help repair and replace floors, skirting boards and staircases
  • Assist with hanging and repairing windows, doors and windowsills
  • Support fencing repairs including posts and panels
  • Carry out basic site inspections and take measurements
  • Learn to use hand tools, power tools and equipment safely
  • Complete job sheets, timesheets and learning logs
  • Attend college, training sessions and complete assessments

Where you'll work

Horspath Road
Oxford
OX4 2RH

Training

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

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY 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

Duration:

20-month practical training period, plus 3-months for End Point Assessment 

Delivery model:

  • Work-based training with your employer
  • Day release during term time (approx 1 day per week for 20 months)
  • Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being
  • Approx 5 on-site assessment visits per year
  • Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
  • Apprentices will need to completea minumim of 557 hours of off-the-job trainign during their apprenticeship

Qualifications included:

  • Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths
  • Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship

End Point Assessment:

  • Multiple choice knowledge test
  • Practical test
  • Professional discussion based on a portfolio of evidence

More training information

College training is currently being delivered in Bicester Construction Skills Centre

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English & Maths (grade A*-C/9-4 (or equivalent))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Willingness to learn
  • Positive attitude
  • Strong work ethic

Other requirements

  • Role involves physical work including lifting and manual handling
  • Work may take place outdoors and in occupied properties
  • Must be committed to health and safety procedures at all times

Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete a series of initial assessments, essential eligibility checks and a phone interview to find out more about the apprenticeship process and training. As a new apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments, please call us on 01235 216216.

By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour from April 2025. This applies to 16 - 18-year-old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent in colllege. 

About this employer

Oxford Direct Services (ODS) delivers high-quality, cost-effective public and commercial services on behalf of Oxford City Council. We are committed to “doing good business that’s good for everyone” and operate in line with our CARES values: Commitment, Aspiration, Respect, Engagement and Safety. 

https://www.odsgroup.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Dedicated mentor
  • Career development opportunities within ODS
  • Pension scheme 
  • 29 days holiday raising to 33 after 5 years
  • Discount gym membership & shopping platform

After this apprenticeship

  • On successful completion of the Level 2 apprenticeship, the apprentice will progress to the Advanced Carpentry & Joinery Level 3 apprenticeship
  • Longer-term opportunities may include a skilled trades role within ODS

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Aneta Helliwell

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235 216 216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028311.

Apply now

Closes in 25 days (Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm)