Carpentry & Joinery Courses | Buxton & Leek College

Carpentry & Joinery

Check out the available courses at the bottom of this page!

Are you interested in building a career in carpentry and joinery? Then Buxton & Leek College is the ideal place to find your pathway to a rewarding and successful career.

With our bespoke bench and site joinery workshops, a large range of industry hand and power tools, and stocks of softwood timber we have everything you need to learn the craft of carpentry, joinery, and construction.

Students develop (dependent on their specific programme) the skills to survey and cost jobs, and how to provide a bespoke carpentry & joinery service from measuring, crafting and fitting.

Our programmes give students the knowledge, skills, and behaviours ready for professional practice, and live briefs will teach students the making and installation of various items such as roofing, kitchens, and windows.

From working at Alton Towers on fresh design briefs, to travelling the world honing your craft, you won’t believe how far a course at BLC can take you.

Many of our former students have gained employment through our programmes and apprenticeships thanks to our links with local companies and have gone on to work locally or travel the world whilst building a career in an industry that they love.

You will learn and benefit from tutors with extensive real-world industry knowledge and experience.

Whether you are deciding on your next steps after school, already working in the carpentry and joinery industries or you would like a career change, we offer a variety of programmes to suit your needs and help you into your dream career.

Take a look at the Virtual tour of our campuses and facilities here.

Available courses

Level 1 Carpentry & Joinery

Tell me about the course

Learners undertaking this qualification will have a keen interest in the construction industry. The course would suit the practical based learner who problem solves and strives to improve their knowledge, skills and behaviours within the construction sector.

This Level 1 qualification provides learners with a range of carpentry and joinery skills and knowledge. Learners will also develop an understanding of the Health and Safety requirements for working in the construction industry.

The learner will learn

HEALTH AND SAFETY which covers all aspects of site and workshop safety including products used in the industry and counts towards the recognised CSCS card.

SKILLS FOR CARPENTRY AND JOINERY these aspects will be covered with practical training and timed assessments

FURTHER SKILLS FOR CARPENTRY AND JOINERY these aspects will be covered with theory elements with a timed assessment.

PREPARING AND USING CARPENTRY AND JOINERY PORTABLE POWER TOOLS gives training for all types of handheld power tools.

CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES gives an insight into how to build a house.

CONSTRUCTOIN INDUSTRY gives an insight into all the roles and responsibilities within the sector

HANDLE MOVE AND STORE RESOURCES provides training on safe transportation and storage of materials.

Learners will be required to complete the assessments created by NOCN which are set both practically and written

Learners will complete a range of activities including group work, Q and A, training booklets, research, learner led activities within the classroom.

Within the workshop we create a safe and inclusive environment to allow learners to work and develop skills knowledge and behaviours at their own pace.
What qualifications will I get?

Level 1 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery
What can I go onto next?

Level 2
How will I be assessed?

There are a variety of assessment methods used in this qualification ranging from multi choice exams set by NOCN to practical skills tests.
Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. The qualification can be taken without any previous training or qualification.

Tell me about the course
If you are interested in the construction industry, are aged 16 or over and wish to continue your education and develop new skills then this is the course for you.

You will learn a range of carpentry and joinery skills and knowledge. You will develop an understanding of the Construction Industry and learn about the various different areas of construction with particular emphasis on:
- The trades relevant to each sector.
- The types of work and support roles associated with each of the areas and the routes into these roles.
- The impact and benefits on the local and national economy that each of the areas of construction can deliver.
- The different types of customers who may procure work.
- The opportunities for those involved in the industry to work nationally and internationally.
You will also be given an introduction to the health and safety legislation that can impact on work within the construction sector, and the organisational policies and procedures that support this.

You will choose to follow one of two pathways:
1. Site Joinery
- First Fix
- Second Fix
- Structural Carcassing
- Maintain non-structural carpentry work
- Power tools
- Manual Handling
- Construction Principles
1. Bench Joinery
- Marking Out
- Setting Out
- Manufacture Joinery Products
- Power Tools
- Manual Handling
- Construction Principles
This is a full time, 2-year course that will be delivered in a variety of ways including lessons in a formal classroom setting and practical demonstrations in our specialist, purpose-built Bench and Site Joinery Workshop. The workshop is situated on our Leek campus and is a safe and inclusive environment equipped with everything you need to develop and hone your practical skills and knowledge.

BLC works closely with local employers who will contribute to the delivery of training and provide demonstrations and talks on the industry.
What qualifications will I get?

Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery
What can I go onto next?
Depending on your chosen occupational specialism you could progress on to;
- employment in the construction industry,
- Level 2 or 3 Apprenticeships in Carpentry and Joinery.
- Level 3 T-Level in Onsite Construction.
How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a combination of multiple-choice examination and practical skills tests.
Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. This qualification can be taken without any previous training or qualification, but some experience of Carpentry and Joinery may be useful.

You must be age 16 or over and you will undertake initial assessment activities to ensure this is an appropriate qualification for you.