Apprentice Bench Joiner

Introduction

Gain hands-on experience as an Apprentice Bench Joiner at the historic Castle Howard Estate. Learn traditional and modern woodworking skills, help maintain and restore estate properties, and work alongside experienced craftspeople. A fantastic opportunity to start a career in a skilled trade and help preserve historic structures.

About the Employer

Castle Howard is a diverse rural estate and award-winning visitor attraction near York, welcoming more than 250,000 visitors each year. Built over 300 years ago, it remains a family home and features historic buildings, gardens, retail outlets, cafés, farming, forestry and a range of estate businesses. 

As an Apprentice Bench Joiner, you will join a skilled and supportive team, helping to maintain and preserve historic buildings and estate assets while developing valuable woodworking and joinery skills.

What You'll Do

Are you interested in learning a skilled trade while working in one of Britain's most iconic historic estates?

Castle Howard is seeking an enthusiastic Apprentice Bench Joiner to join its skilled team. This is an exciting opportunity to develop practical woodworking and joinery skills while helping to maintain, repair and preserve a wide range of historic buildings and estate properties. Castle Howard is a 300-year-old family home, a diverse working rural estate and an award-winning visitor attraction welcoming over 250,000 visitors each year.

Working alongside experienced joiners, you will gain hands-on experience in traditional and modern bench joinery techniques, producing and restoring timber products to a high standard. You'll learn valuable skills in manufacturing, repairing and maintaining wooden structures while contributing to the conservation of a unique heritage environment.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will:

• Learn traditional and modern bench joinery techniques.
• Manufacture, repair and restore a variety of timber products.
• Measuring, cutting, shaping and assembling timber components.
• Assist with the maintenance and preservation of historic buildings and estate properties.
• Use a range of hand and power tools safely and effectively.
• Read and interpret drawings and specifications.
• Work alongside experienced craftspeople to develop your practical skills and knowledge.
• Maintain a safe, clean and organised work environment.
• Support the wider estate team as required.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys practical work, has an eye for detail and wants to build a career in a skilled trade.

Training Outcome

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, and subject to achieving the required college standards and maintaining a good standard of performance, quality of work, attendance and conduct, there may be the opportunity to progress into a full-time, permanent Bench Joiner position within Castle Howard.

A successful apprenticeship could provide the foundation for a long-term career within the estate's maintenance and heritage conservation teams.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Willing to learn
• Practical Skills
• Reliable and punctual
• Positive Attitude
• Interest in woodworking
• Interest in heritage crafts
• Time Management
• Commitment to quality work

Qualifications

• Desired - GCSE - Maths & English - 4

Course Information

Course: Carpentry and joinery (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Construction and the built environment

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday to Friday. Start: 7:30am. Finish: 4:00pm. 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Some flexibility may be required to meet business needs.

Expected Duration: 2 Years

Training Provider: TEC PARTNERSHIP