Apprentice Wood Machinist

GORDON ELLIS & CO.

DERBY (DE74 2PY)

Closes in 20 days (Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 13 May 2026

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Summary

Gordon Ellis & Co have an opportunity for an enthusiastic Apprentice to join our Wood Machining team. The successful candidate will be trained in all aspects of Furniture Making and will learn practical skills and techniques to produce different types of furniture and units.

Wage

£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Apprentice rate of £312 per week (with excellent salary progression as your skills develop)

Training course
Wood machinist (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 06:00 – 14:20, Friday 06:00 – 14:10 (with 30-minute break daily).

39 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

Being a Wood Machinist Furniture Manufacturer is a skilled trade with excellent career opportunities. You will learn a mixture of assembly techniques using a variety of tools and equipment. You must have excellent attention to detail and strive for perfection.

This is an exciting opportunity for a practical-minded person who is looking to start their career in Furniture Manufacturing. The apprenticeship is a Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer Standard, delivered by WEBS Training Ltd.

The role will include:

  • Picking from raw materials - gaining knowledge of timber
    Working from lists, technical drawings and specifications
  • Measuring and marking out
  • Producing mouldings prior to assembly
  • Marking out 
  • Producing prototypes
  • Working accurately from technical drawings and specifications
  • Completing assembly including jointing side panels, cross components and fittings
  • Quality checking your work throughout
  • Fixings including hinges, locks and catches
  • Sanding ready for finishing
  • Operating a variety of powered tools including chisels, screwdrivers, routers and biscuit joints
  • Operating powered machinery to produce components, including crosscut and dimension saws, sanders, moulders, 3-axis and 5-axis CNC machines
  • Final quality control checks

Where you'll work

TRENT LANE
TRENT LANE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
CASTLE DONINGTON
DERBY
DE74 2PY

Training

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

Training provider

WEBS TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Wood machinist (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for wood machining activity.
  • Plan wood machining activity including timescales for completion and organise materials and resources.
  • Prepare, maintain and restore the work area.
  • Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Comply with procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Follow workplace operating procedures.
  • Store tools and equipment.
  • Select tools, equipment, and machinery for wood machining activity.
  • Apply first line maintenance of tools, equipment and machinery. For example, checking condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, calibration checks, sharpening and servicing.
  • Identify and select materials used in wood machining.
  • Measure and mark out materials.
  • Prepare, check and use jigs and templates used in the work activity.
  • Set up and operate wood machining machinery.
  • Apply wood machining processes using conventional or CNC machinery. For example, cutting, shaping, planing, turning, profiling, boring, or edge banding for production of jointed wood and wood-based products.
  • Assemble components or sub-assemblies of wood.
  • Inspect, strip, and sand material surfaces.
  • Apply rectification, repair or rework techniques.
  • Follow quality assurance processes.
  • Pack, store and handle components and sub-assemblies.
  • Record wood machining activity information - paper based or electronic.
  • Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S, and KAIZEN.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
  • Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
  • Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
  • Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Undertake and record learning and development activities.
  • Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for wood machining activity.
  • Plan wood machining activity including timescales for completion and organise materials and resources.
  • Prepare, maintain and restore the work area.
  • Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Comply with procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Follow workplace operating procedures.
  • Store tools and equipment.
  • Select tools, equipment, and machinery for wood machining activity.
  • Apply first line maintenance of tools, equipment and machinery. For example, checking condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, calibration checks, sharpening and servicing.
  • Identify and select materials used in wood machining.
  • Measure and mark out materials.
  • Prepare, check and use jigs and templates used in the work activity.
  • Set up and operate wood machining machinery.
  • Apply wood machining processes using conventional or CNC machinery. For example, cutting, shaping, planing, turning, profiling, boring, or edge banding for production of jointed wood and wood-based products.
  • Assemble components or sub-assemblies of wood.
  • Inspect, strip, and sand material surfaces.
  • Apply rectification, repair or rework techniques.
  • Follow quality assurance processes.
  • Pack, store and handle components and sub-assemblies.
  • Record wood machining activity information - paper based or electronic.
  • Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S, and KAIZEN.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
  • Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
  • Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
  • Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Undertake and record learning and development activities.

Training schedule

During your apprenticeship programme you will receive training both off and on the job. You will attend WEBS Furniture Training for one day each week, and the rest of the time you will be within the workplace. You will learn the underpinning knowledge that runs alongside the practical elements of your training.

Requirements

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
  • Presentation skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness

About this employer

Originally established in 1863, Gordon Ellis & Co has over 160 years of manufacturing expertise. We are a family-owned business, based in Castle Donington, with expertise in both rotational moulding and precision machining of wood and composites.

We use our design and manufacturing capabilities to support two divisions: healthcare products for the elderly and disabled (our brands are Gordon Ellis and Langham), and street furniture for cities, towns and other public spaces (our brand is geViews). As well as our own product ranges, we also use our expertise to manufacture for other partner organisations.

The different parts of our business have several things in common: they all benefit from investment in the very latest machinery, they are all genuinely innovative, and they all recognise and respond to the customer’s need for competitive pricing and dependable service.

Company benefits

  • Company pension
  • On-site parking
  • Good public transport links
  • Employee Health Cash Plan
  • Sick pay

After this apprenticeship

Progression within the role and potential to complete higher apprenticeship levels.  

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEBS TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031533.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 11:59pm)