Imagine someone who is a wizard with wood! A joiner is a special kind of builder who makes things out of wood, like doors, window frames, staircases, and even fitted cupboards inside houses. They are super good at measuring, cutting, and joining pieces of wood together very carefully so that everything fits perfectly. Joiners often work in workshops making these wooden parts, and then they go to houses or other buildings to put them all together. They use lots of different tools, from big machines that cut wood to smaller hand tools for making things smooth and strong. It's a job where you get to be creative and see the amazing things you make come to life!
A new joiner might start on around 18,000 to 22,000 pounds a year, while experienced joiners can earn between 28,000 to 35,000 pounds or even more.
There are always jobs for skilled joiners across the UK, with thousands of opportunities posted each year for both experienced people and those just starting out.
Most joiners work around 37 to 40 hours a week, usually Monday to Friday. Sometimes they might work a bit extra if there's a big project to finish.
A Cabinet Maker is like a super clever Joiner who specialises in making beautiful cupboards, wardrobes, and kitchen units that fit perfectly in your home. They are very good at making sure everything looks neat and tidy, with smooth doors and handy shelves.
A Boat Builder is a special kind of Joiner who uses wood to build amazing boats that can float on water! They have to be very careful to make sure the boat is strong and waterproof, so it is safe for people to sail in. Imagine making a pirate ship!
A Stage Set Builder is a creative Joiner who builds all the amazing scenery for plays and shows in a theatre. They can make anything from a magical castle to a bustling street, helping to tell the story and make the stage look fantastic.
Look around your house for things made of wood! Touch them, see how they feel, and think about how they were made. This helps you understand how versatile wood is.
You can find wood in many places, like tables, chairs, doors, and even your toys! Notice the different colours and textures of wood. Some wood is smooth, some is rough. Think about how many different things can be created from this natural material. It's a great way to start appreciating what joiners do.
Ask a grown-up to help you find videos online of joiners making things. You'll see them using cool tools and making magic with wood.
Watching videos can show you all the exciting things a joiner does. You might see them cutting wood with saws, smoothing it with sanders, and joining pieces together. It's like watching a puzzle come to life, but with wood! Pay attention to the safety equipment they use, like goggles and gloves, because that's very important.
With a grown-up's help, try making something small out of wood or craft sticks, like a little box or a picture frame. You'll learn how to stick pieces together.
Using safe, easy-to-handle materials like craft sticks or small wooden blocks, you can practise putting things together with glue. This helps you understand how different pieces fit. Always ask an adult to supervise and help you with any cutting or tricky parts, to make sure you stay safe and have fun learning.
Ask your parents if there's a craft club or after-school activity where you can learn more about making things, especially with wood or similar materials.
Joining a club can be a fantastic way to learn new skills in a fun and friendly environment. You might get to use different tools, learn about different types of wood, and work on exciting projects with other children. It's a great way to meet new friends who also love making things and to get advice from adults who know a lot about crafts.
Ask an adult to show you some simple tools a joiner uses, like a tape measure or a hammer. Always remember that real tools are for grown-ups to use safely.
Understanding what different tools do is a big part of being a joiner. You can learn the names of tools like saws, drills, and chisels, and understand what they are used for. Even if you don't use them yourself yet, knowing about them helps you understand the job. Always remember that safety comes first, and real tools should only be handled by adults or under strict supervision.
Use a ruler or tape measure to measure things around your house, like your toys or books. Being good at measuring is super important for a joiner!
Accuracy in measuring is key for a joiner, as every piece of wood needs to be the exact right size. You can practise this skill by measuring all sorts of things, from the length of your pencils to the height of your teddy bears. See if you can estimate a measurement first, and then check how close you were. This will help you develop a good eye for size and proportion.
Pay attention in subjects like Maths and Design & Technology. Maths helps with measuring, and D&T helps you learn about making things and using tools.
Doing well in school is the first step towards many exciting careers, including being a joiner. Maths helps you calculate sizes and angles for cutting wood. Design & Technology classes will introduce you to different materials, tools, and design processes, which are all super important for a future joiner. These subjects will give you a great foundation for later learning.
When you're older, you can do an apprenticeship. This means you learn on the job from experienced joiners and also go to college for some lessons.
An apprenticeship is a brilliant way to become a joiner. You'll spend most of your time working with real joiners, learning hands-on skills like how to use specialist tools safely and how to fit different parts together. You'll also spend some time at a college learning the theory behind the trade, like different types of wood and building regulations. It's a great mix of practical work and study, leading to qualifications and a real job.
A good joiner never stops learning! There are always new tools, techniques, and designs to discover. Keep practising and making new things.
The world of joinery is always changing, with new materials, tools, and ways of building. To be a brilliant joiner, it's important to keep up-to-date with these changes. You can do this by reading books, watching educational videos, and attending workshops. The more you practise your skills, the better you will become at creating beautiful and strong wooden items, making you a master of your craft!
A carpenter also works with wood, but they usually build bigger things like the wooden structure of a house, roofs, or outdoor decking. They make sure the building is strong and safe.
A cabinet maker is like a joiner but they focus on making beautiful furniture, like fancy tables, chairs, or intricate cabinets and wardrobes for peoples homes.
While not working with wood, a plasterer is another skilled builder who makes the walls and ceilings inside buildings smooth and ready for painting, using a special mix called plaster.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Joiner. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.
These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
A Joiner is a skilled tradesperson who cuts, shapes, and installs timber for buildings, focusing on internal structures like doors, windows, and staircases. This aligns perfectly with the duties and qualifications of a Carpenter in UK terminology, as 'joiner' is often used interchangeably or to denote a more refined aspect of carpentry.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course like:
Courses like these would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to find a trainee position with a company.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
You could also do a Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, producing goods used in the furniture making and construction industries.
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
You'll usually need:
If you're thinking of changing career to carpentry, look out for short or part-time 'taster' courses at your local college. These are designed to help you find out if carpentry is for you.
You can find out more about becoming a carpenter from Go Construct and House Building Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2026 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →
