Joiner
Help shape the world around you! You'll measure, cut and fit wood to create everything from furniture to film sets.
Also known as: carpenter
About the job
A day in the life – Joiner
What it's like
Joiners build and repair wood in homes, shops, bars and offices. You could also build sets for film and TV.
Working with tools and machinery, you'll carefully measure and cut wood to the required size and shape to make things like doors, floors and fitted furniture. Then you'll need to put it together and fix it inside the building.
A good joiner should have an eye for detail, strong maths skills to work out measurements and the ability to follow technical plans.
If you're organised, careful and like to get hands-on, you might be cut out for this career!
Your tasks might include:
sourcing, measuring, cutting, shaping and assembling timber
fitting and building wooden structures – this can include floor and roof joists, roof timbers, staircases, partition walls and door and window frames (first fixings)
installing skirting boards, door surrounds, doors, cupboards and shelving, as well as door handles and locks (second fixings)
building temporary wooden supports to hold concrete in place while it sets, for example building foundations (formwork)
making and fitting interiors in shops, bars, restaurants, offices and public buildings
constructing stage sets for theatre, film and TV productions
playing a role in the construction and renovation of buildings
Green job
In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. You might:
make homes more energy-efficient by fitting double glazed windows
use wood from sustainably managed sources
recycle offcuts and other surplus materials from jobs
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Construction Skills Certification Scheme – learn more about CSCS cards
Go Construct – discover what a joiner does on a daily basis
Supply Chain Sustainability School – free learning resources for anyone who wants to work in the built environment sector
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- managing resources
- implementing ideas
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- observation
- working with numbers
- designing
- creative
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Design and Manufacture
Practical Craft Skills
Practical Woodwork
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you get a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Construction Management
Built Environment
Architectural Technology
Use My World of Work's course search to find courses.
Apprenticeship
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. MAs that may be relevant for this career include:
Boat Building and Repair
Construction: Building
Construction: Specialist
Construction: Technical
Discover Modern Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot.
Work
If you have some basic experience, you could apply directly to a construction company to work as a joiner. You might start out in a trainee role and work your way up.
You can use the My World of Work job search to look for job vacancies.
A driving licence can be useful.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a joiner. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent and pass a health and safety test to work and train on construction sites.
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