Wood Production Operative Apprentice
ORCHARD INTERIORS LTD
NEWCASTLE (ST5 9HZ)
Closes in 14 days (Thursday 25 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 11 September 2025
Contents
Summary
As a Wood Production Operative Apprentice, you will play a key role in the assembly and production processes also, assembling furniture components to high quality standards.
- Wage
-
£13,348.40 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 – Friday, times to be confirmed at interview. *One day a week will be spent at College*.
34 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 October 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
Machine & Assembly
- Operate production machinery and equipment safely and in line with specifications.
- Load raw materials and unload finished products efficiently.
- Assemble furniture components following production drawings and job instructions.
- Transport materials between workstations to maintain workflow continuity.
- Ensure accurate labelling and identification of parts throughout the production process.
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve production efficiency.
- Promptly report quality concerns or material shortages to the Production Supervisor.
- Collaborate with team members to ensure workflow continuity and help resolve production delays.
- Support other areas of the production process when required e.g., sanding, finishing, wrapping.
Health, Safety & Housekeeping
- Work in accordance with all site Health & Safety procedures and use correct PPE at all times.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organised work area in line with 5S or lean manufacturing principles.
- Support accident or near-miss reporting by escalating concerns quickly and accurately.
- Participate in required H&S briefings, toolbox talks, and training.
Where you'll work
1 RED MINE CLOSE
NEWCASTLE
ST5 9HZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
STOKE ON TRENT COLLEGE
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.
Training schedule
You will attend Stoke on Trent College's Burslem Campus (ST6 1JJ) one day a week and spend the remainder of your contracted hours in the workplace.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Physical fitness
About this employer
We are leading manufacturers of bespoke furniture. We supply architects, designers, specifiers and trades with a fully bespoke manufacturing service. From bars, media walls, room dividers, bedrooms and more we can do it all. We are for individuals who want to see their vision come to life. We work with suppliers such as egger, Kronospan, Saviola, Unilin, Alvic and Polyray as well as offering veneer, sprayed and tiled finishes. We offer Quartz and Standard worktops as well as forming our own solid surface worktops in house with brands such as Corian, Himacs and Hanex to mention a few. We are here to bring your vision into reality. Our team not only provide high quality furniture, but together we provide years of experience in creating perfect products for our clients.
After this apprenticeship
Once qualified, there may be an opportunity for a permanent role within the business.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
STOKE ON TRENT COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000341686.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Thursday 25 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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