Apprentice Timber Manufacturer

LAWSONS (WHETSTONE) LIMITED

Abingdon, Godalming, Lewes, Wokingham

Closes in 14 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 16 July 2026

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Summary

Lawsons is an independent Timber, Building Materials & Fencing merchant who creates bespoke timber products. They are seeking an Apprentice to join their bespoke manufacturing team. You will work alongside master crafts people, perfecting your manufacturing, wood machining and joinery skills and become a valued member of the team.  

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay rate is £22,568  - £26,437 

Training course
Furniture making operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 07.30-16.30.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

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

  • Learn how to make all types of bespoke timber products, including gates and fencing
  • You will be required to work to the highest standards of quality and craftmanship
  • Delivering these items to meet the timescales and project deadlines set
  • Learn how to use woodworking machines, power tools, and hand tools safely and comply with Health & Safety regulations.
  • Learn how to read and accurately interpret working drawings
  • Maintain a clean workspace and manage general labouring duties
  • Gain organisational skills for managing tasks and inventory
  • Manage and organise stock effectively
  • Collaborate within a team environment
  • Work independently, using initiative to solve challenges

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • Oxford Fencing, Kingston Business Park Kingston Bagpuize, Abingdon, OX13 5AS
  • Unit 1, A V S Trading Park, Chapel Lane, Milford, Godalming, GU8 5HE
  • AVS Lewes Southdown Works, Laughton Road Ringmer, Lewes, BN8 5PN
  • AVS Wokingham Warren Farm, Forest Road, Wokingham, RG40 5QY

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

Furniture making operative (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 furniture making activity.
  • Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
  • Prepare and maintain the work area.
  • Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow 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 furniture making activity.
  • Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
  • Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
  • Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
  • Apply preparation techniques to materials.
  • Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
  • Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
  • Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
  • Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
  • Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
  • Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
  • Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
  • Follow quality assurance processes.
  • Pack and store components and products.
  • Record furniture making 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 furniture making activity.
  • Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
  • Prepare and maintain the work area.
  • Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow 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 furniture making activity.
  • Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
  • Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
  • Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
  • Apply preparation techniques to materials.
  • Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
  • Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
  • Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
  • Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
  • Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
  • Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
  • Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
  • Follow quality assurance processes.
  • Pack and store components and products.
  • Record furniture making 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 Standard Level 2 Furniture Manufacturing apprenticeship programme, you will receive training both off and on the job. You will be trained within the employers workplace and at WEBS Training in Nottingham on a block basis for a week at a time every 10 weeks.

You will learn the underpinning knowledge that runs alongside your practical elements of the training. WEBS Training aims to build on the skills you already have so you reach your full potential both personally and professionally.

Training will be provided in all areas of Furniture Manufacturing to ensure you can create practical and bespoke furniture using both traditional and modern techniques to produce aesthetically pleasing and fit-for-purpose products.

If you have already achieved GCSE maths and English at Grade 4/C or above or have an equivalent qualification, you will be exempt from undertaking Functional Skills. However, English and maths support will be provided for all apprentices throughout the length of their programme. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4)
  • Math (grade C/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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Must be happy to attend block training in Nottingham. 

About this employer

Established in 1921, the Lawsons Group is now the largest independent Timber, Building Materials & Fencing merchant in London and the South East, with branches located from Lincolnshire to the South Coast. With over 740 employees and a turnover in excess of £175 million, the Group includes 19 Lawsons branches and 13 branches of AVS Fencing & Landscaping Supplies, in addition to Basingstoke Building Supplies, Briants of Risborough, The Landscape Centre, Oxford Fencing Supplies and Witham Timber. With continued expansion & acquisitions, our business is continuing to grow across the United Kingdom.

Company benefits

  • On-site parking
  • Uniform
  • Pension contribution

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

This role offers opportunities to advance to an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3, along with increased responsibilities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEBS TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041484.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)