Wood Machinist Apprentice

Billinghay Sawmill Ltd

LINCOLN (LN4 4BL)

Closes in 13 days (Monday 12 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 28 September 2026

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Summary

Join Billinghay Sawmill and learn traditional woodworking skills alongside modern timber manufacturing. This hands-on apprenticeship will give you experience in joinery, carpentry and flooring manufacture while working with a wide range of timber products in our workshops.

Wage

£23,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Wage increases will reflect growth within the company and performance over time.

Training course
Wood machinist (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm with a 1-hour unpaid lunch break.

35 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Duration

2 years 3 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

Duties will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Assisting with the manufacture of solid and engineered timber flooring, including preparing, machining, sanding and finishing timber
  • Learning joinery and carpentry techniques while helping to manufacture bespoke timber products
  • Learning how to safely operate woodworking machinery and hand and power tools under appropriate supervision and training
  • Selecting, measuring, marking and preparing timber for different manufacturing jobs
  • Assisting experienced workshop staff with cutting, machining, assembling and finishing products
  • Checking timber and finished products for quality and helping ensure our high manufacturing standards are maintained
  • Learning about different timber species, grades, grain characteristics and how different materials are best used
  • Helping with the movement, organisation and storage of timber and materials around the workshop
  • Keeping work areas clean, organised and safe, including assisting with general workshop housekeeping
  • Following the company's health and safety procedures and learning how to work safely within a timber manufacturing environment

This is a practical, hands-on role where you will work alongside experienced members of our team and develop skills across woodworking, joinery, carpentry and timber flooring manufacture. No two days will necessarily be the same, and the apprentice will have the opportunity to learn about the full manufacturing process, from selecting and preparing timber through to machining, assembly and finishing.

Where you'll work

WOOD YARD
FIRST HURN DROVE
BILLINGHAY
LINCOLN
LN4 4BL

Training

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

Training provider

LINCOLN COLLEGE

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

  • The Apprentice will work towards their Apprenticeship Standard in Wood Machinist
  • The successful candidate will be assigned a dedicated assessor who will provide support and guidance throughout the course
  • This is a Day Release programme which means you will attend  College, 1 day per week, term time only. This will fall within your contracted working hours

More training information

Course outline:

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0976-v1-1

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade A*/9 – C/4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Science (grade A*/9 – 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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

The applicant should be driven to learn and grow professionally and personally.

About this employer

Timber products manufacturing, predominantly wood flooring.

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

After this apprenticeship

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

An apprentice can expect to grow within a business targeting larger expansion. With this would come increased responsibility and the ability to climb a career ladder within the business. Additional training within the company could be discussed.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LINCOLN COLLEGE

Kateryna Shevchenko

apprenticeships@lincolncollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055915.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Monday 12 October 2026 at 11:59pm)