Carpentry and Joinery Level 1


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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This course will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to prepare you for a job or an apprenticeship.

It also contains lots of added extras such as English and maths training, relevant work experience and health and safety training. To be able to work on a construction site, you’ll need essential health, safety and environmental awareness skills and knowledge.

We’ll help you get these, meaning you can go on work placements and are one step closer to securing employment or an apprenticeship.

The course is made up of the following units:

  • Health, safety and welfare in construction and associated industries
  • Maintain and use carpentry and joinery hand tools
  • Produce woodworking joints
  • Prepare and use carpentry and joinery portable power tools
  • Knowledge of construction technology
  • Knowledge of technical information, quantities and communication with others.
  • Your progress will be monitored by 2 online exams and unit project books for hand skills.

Maths and English

You will also attend maths and English sessions and have the opportunity to improve your GCSE grades if you need to. 

Required Entry Qualifications

Two GCSE grades at 3 or above, ideally including maths and English, or an equivalent.

A highly motivated team of industry specialists with a wealth of knowledge across a wide range of vocational trades will form your teaching team.

Our aim is to work with you to support you to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours to succeed in the construction environment.

If you have the right attitude and commitment, we can support you to become who you want to be.

Our industry partners include Tolent, Sir Robert McAlpine, Ryder and Bellway, ensuring that our course content is always up to date and relevant to today’s construction industry and that our work placement opportunities are with some of the best employers in our region.

We will track your progresss throughout the course, giving you feedback on how to improve if needed.

You will be assessed through practical tasks and projects from which you’ll create a portfolio of practical evidence, set online exams and written assignments/coursework.

All assessments are carried out against national standards specific to the constrution trade.

You’ll train at our purpose built Skills Academy for Construction which is kitted out with dedicated workshop areas for each trade.

There may be other costs for uniform or kit.

We will tell you more about this during the application process and let you know about the funding support that is available to help cover some of the costs of coming to college, if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.

After this course, you’ll be able to progress to a job, to one of our Level 2 courses or onto an apprenticeship.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN CARPENTRY AND JOINERY LEVEL 1?

  • Carpenters and Joiners

Knowledge

Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Median Salary
£34,950

Average Qualifications
Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

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Skills

Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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School Leaver Course Guide 2026/2027

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School leaver guide_26-27