How to become a joiner

What is a joiner?

Being a very technical and precise job, joinery is perhaps one of the most skilled trades out there. However, this also means as a joiner, you could be very well paid once once you’ve got enough experience.

Although often confused with carpenters, a joiner’s role is slightly different. You have the option of specialising in two areas:

• Bench joinery – This skill focusses on crafting wooden items and objects that carpenters can then install
• Site joinery – This skill happens directly on construction sites, helping carpenters install the items made in workshops

An easy way to remember the distinction is that joiners focus on constructing items out of wood alone, such as doors and window frames. While carpenters will take the items made by joiners and install them on construction sites.

There’s a lot more to joinery than simple joining, sanding, and carving wood. And the sheer variety of jobs you can do makes it very easy to specialise.

So, if you want to know what goes into becoming a joiner, read on to learn about their workload. As well as the qualifications you’ll need to earn to deliver fantastic work to your customers.

What does a joiner do?

A joiner’s core role is delivering vital construction services, using their craft skills for creative expression in woodworking. As a joiner, your daily tasks may include:

• Crafting timber frames
• Building shelving units
• Precision cutting and carving wood
• Providing construction services to clients
• Nurturing customer relationships
• Ensuring projects comply with health and safety standards
• Verifying structure quality
• Conducting site surveys
• Collaborating with carpenters
• Working with suppliers and contractors
• Selecting the right materials for a job
• Repairing and maintaining window and door frames

What skills does a joiner need?

Getting good at joinery involves mastering various tasks, and it’s not an easy skill to develop.

However, it’s not just about getting better at working with wood. In every joiner job description, you’ll find requirements to become an expert in:

1. Knowing a lot about building and construction
2. Being super careful and paying attention to details in your work
3. Strong understanding of maths
4. Being good at working with others in a team
5. Doing your job by yourself when needed
6. Clear communication
7. Knowing construction health and safety regulations

How to become a joiner: possible routes

When it comes to the required qualifications to become a joiner, there are several options available to you, such as college courses and apprenticeships.

Colleges, in particular, offer standard joinery courses. As well as niche classes tailored towards specific elements of joinery.

It’s highly recommended you get qualified before starting work. Just remember that much like becoming an electrician or plumber, learning how to become a joiner isn’t a fast process.

College Qualifications

To become a joiner, consider college courses like Level 2 Joinery or an apprenticeship like Carpentry and Joinery.

• A Level 2 Diploma in Bench Joinery
• A Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry and Joiner
• A T Level in On-Site Construction

For college courses, you typically need a few GCSEs.

Short basic joinery courses, lasting around 13 weeks, are also available without specific entry requirements.

Apprenticeships

Some organisations offer on-the-job training, including joinery qualifications, for trainee roles or internships. Good education and a passion for joinery are essential for these roles!

Apprenticeships like carpentry and joinery also usually require some GCSEs. You might also need to have access to personal tools, PPE, and a vehicle.

And once you’ve completed your joinery apprenticeship, you can start qualified work or even think about starting your own joinery business.

Work Experience

Gain relevant work experience for becoming a joiner through paid or voluntary roles. This could be through assistant positions, shadowing professionals in workshops or on construction sites.

There are also charities and community schemes that may help give you woodwork experience. Websites such as Volunteering Matters will help you find local options.

Any work experience in construction or woodworking contributes to becoming a joiner.

Additional Training Courses

Continuous learning is crucial for joiners. Attending further training courses and earning certifications can give you a competitive edge. Many colleges and private providers offer relevant courses to sit alongside joinery training.

Some examples include:

• Health and safety
• First aid at work
• Customer service
• Business management for the self-employed

Joinery-specific courses cover CAD, sketching, woodworking, adhesives, tools, equipment, machinery, restoration, and furniture making.

The British Woodworking Federation are also a key organisation. As well as a trade association, they’re also passionate about supporting education for joiners.

How long does it take to become a joiner?

Much like any skilled trade, you won’t become a joiner overnight.

Many joinery courses can take up to 10 weeks or more to complete. And if you’re an apprentice, you could be in this role for up to 3 years before being qualified.

However, after these three years, you’ll be classed as a trained joiner. This means you can expand your field of work and train for more senior positions.

By getting qualified, you’ll show customers your professionalism, and that you have the necessary skills to do the work.

Upskilling as a joiner

Although you’ll spend your initial years as a joiner learning the basics. That’s no reason not to think about acquiring more training after you’re qualified.

The more qualifications you have, the more customers will trust your work.

So, after finishing your apprenticeship, you could look into the following:

• Studying and learning about niche joinery fields (such as green oak framing)
• Practising new joiner techniques in your own time
• Acquiring further joinery qualifications
• Developing your sales and marketing skills

Becoming a certified joiner with Checkatrade

At Checkatrade, we have one of the UK’s largest databases of reliable tradespeople and companies. Our members gain instant exposure to potential new customers every day.

The benefits of being a Checkatrade member don’t end there. Sign up today to truly unlock your business’ potential and start growing your joinery business.

Get in touch to learn more about this, and what else Checkatrade can offer newly qualified joiners.

Get more leads

In 2023 alone, there were over 161,000 searches just for joinery work via Checkatrade.* Want to get more joinery leads? Why not trust us?

Improve your reputation

Checkatrade uses the tick that homeowners trust, helping you to win more business. If people are looking to get work done, why not build trust with them as a member?

Access discounts and benefits

As a Checkatrade member, you get exclusive access to trade deals, saving money on business essentials to help you stay profitable.

This includes making savings on tools, insurance, mobile phones, workwear, and much more.

Joiner training FAQs

How many hours do joiners work?

The hours of work a joiner carries out will vary from project to project. As an apprentice, you’ll likely be working 30 hours or less. However, once fully qualified, you can expect to work anywhere between 35-45 hours a week.

Do joiners need a CSCS card?

While not needed for bench joiners, if you’re a site joiner, you will need a CSCS card if you want to work on a construction site. This is a legal requirement and you won’t be able to perform your role without it.

What is the difference between a joiner and a carpenter?

On the outside, joinery and carpentry can seem quite alike. They share a lot of common features. However, while both involve working with wood, joinery places a specific emphasis on crafting items first, often for installation by carpenters.

Joiners can also specialise in creating items without the use of screws or metal fasteners, showcasing a dedication to bespoke craftsmanship.

*Internal search data from users of the Checkatrade.com website between 1st January 2023 and 31st December 2023