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Timber manufacturing Operative Apprentice (Crawfords Joinery Ltd.)
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Timber manufacturing Operative Apprentice (Crawfords Joinery Ltd.)
Crawfords Joinery Ltd are seeking a motivated individual to join our skilled team of bench joiners and wood machinists. You will be trained in all aspects of joinery manufacturing to produce high‑quality timber windows and doors, with the long‑term aim of progressing into a valued full‑time team member.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
As a Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Apprentice at Crawfords Joinery Ltd., most of your apprenticeship will be spent in the workshop gaining hands‑on experience alongside our skilled team. You will learn on the job while developing the practical skills and knowledge required to become a competent manufacturing operative within a professional joinery environment.
Your training will cover a wide range of manufacturing and joinery processes, supporting the production of high‑quality timber products to detailed specifications and quality standards. You will gain a strong understanding of how rough‑sawn timber and manufactured boards are transformed into finished products.
Crawfords Joinery operates a wide range of fixed machinery including resaws, band saws, dimension saws, upcut saws, moulders, tenoners, morticers, planers and overhead routers. You will also use portable joinery power tools such as sanders, routers, planers, drills and nail guns, alongside a variety of traditional joinery hand tools used in day‑to‑day operations.
Responsibilities
Throughout the apprenticeship, your main duties will include (but are not limited to):
- Learning how to safely use machinery, tools and equipment in a workshop environment
- Supporting the manufacturing process by cramping components and assembling products
- Repairing and denibbing products in preparation for finishing and paint application
- Assisting with the fitting of ironmongery, hanging sashes and doors, and glazing
- Working with both solid timber and manufactured boards
- Identifying issues and contributing to effective solutions within the production process
- Working both independently and as part of a team in a busy workshop setting
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys practical, hands‑on work, has an eye for detail, and is keen to learn a skilled trade within a professional and fast‑paced joinery manufacturing environment.
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Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Requirements
- Comply with health, safety and environmental requirements, for example safe use of personal and respiratory protective equipment, local exhaust ventilation, statutory regulations and industry standards/codes of practice.
- Identify risks and hazards in the workplace and apply appropriate control measures.
- Comply with organisational and statutory environmental and sustainability considerations, for example disposal of waste, recycling of materials and efficient use of resources.
- Communicate - verbal and/or written, for example with colleagues and/or customers.
- Plan work to undertake wood product manufacturing operations.
- Read and interpret specifications, diagrams and work instructions, and following these instructions.
- Select the correct type and quantity of components and materials.
- Prepare the work area before undertaking the work.
- Identify faults and issues, for example incorrect or defective wood, defective machinery; and applying solutions.
- Pack and store products and components.
- Select, set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce wood components.
- Prepare and operate Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment.
- Use and maintain jigs and templates for wood product manufacturing operations.
- Position wood components and apply manual and mechanical cramps to ensure products are secured and in accordance with the work specification.
- Assemble wood components to the work specification and given tolerances.
- Sand materials and de-nib.
- Apply adhesives to wood components.
- Apply finishes to wood products, for example stains, sealers, basecoats and paint finishes.
- Instal fixtures and fittings to wood products, for example ironmongery, seals, ancillary metal work and fixings, nail plates and staples.
- Carry out glazing operations, for example install glass to window or door.
- Check and and inspect work to ensure it meets the work specification; undertake rectification or rework where necessary
- Report work outcomes and/or problems.
- Complete the handover process to other manufacturing process functions/teams.
- Complete work documentation, for example job sheets, time cards.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: English (grade 1+/G+), Maths (grade 1+/G+)
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Desirable qualifications
- GCSE in: English (grade 4+/ C+), Maths (grade 4+/ C+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
- Travel to and from the employer, based at Brewery Lane, Tweedmouth, Berwick Upon Tweed, TD15 2AQ
- Access to IT equipment for remote delivery of the Apprenticeship
- The Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage guide (ANMW): https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
Benefits
Successful completion of the apprenticeship may lead to full-time employment and/ or further training.
About Crawfords Joinery Ltd
Crawfords Joinery Ltd is a Specialist Joinery Manufacturing Company, specialising in timber window and door manufacturer based in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland.
The company was founded by Alan & Carol Crawford in 1973 and has steadily grown ever since. Our windows & doors can be seen throughout the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, including the Alnwick Gardens Treehouse & swings and the exclusive Golf and Spa Retreat at Archerfield, North Berwick, plus many more.
Some of our Services include bespoke timber windows and doors. Full range of windows including traditional sash & case, casement & H type. doors including french doors, patio’s & bi-fold. All windows & doors can be fully paint finished on site to a colour of your choice. We can also manufacture gates, shop fronts, conservatories etc, all bespoke and manufactured to your specification. We can recommend installers for your location if required. We also manufacture using Accoya timber which carries up to a 50 year guarantee against rot and a repainting time of approximately 12 years.
https://crawfordsjoinery.co.uk/
Application Process
Closes in 29 days (Saturday 4 July 2026 at 11:59pm) Sign in or create an account
Contact
The contact for this apprenticeship is: DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL Graham Curry graham.curry@Darlington.gov.uk 07949845325
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035179.
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