Wood Machinist Apprentice

Summary

A Furniture Wood Machinist produces components for furniture using a wide range of wood working machinery. This includes setting up, operating and maintaining wood working machines such as saws, planers, moulders, lathes, routers and CNC/NC machines.

Wage

£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

To be discussed upon interview

Training course

Furniture manufacturer (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Thursday. To be discussed upon interview times and breaks.

39 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

5

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Safely operating woodworking machinery
• Producing high-quality finished products
• Maintaining a safe and clean workplace

Wood Machinist-

Measure and Mark Out

Measure and mark out materials to specification within the acceptable tolerances following standard operating procedures

Tooling

Select, prepare and maintain wood machining toolin

Cutting

Prepare, set up and operate cutting wood machinery

Planing

Prepare, set up and operate planes. This includes surface planer and thicknesser (can be a combined machine) and four-sided planer and moulder (for planed all round)

Calibrating

Calibrate measuring equipment, keep tools and equipment clear of debris and dirt and ensure tools are kept sharp

Jigs and Templates

Use and maintain jigs and templates for furniture production. Jigs are used to ensure repeatability and accuracy in the production of furniture. These can be hand-held or mounted on workbenches

Profiling

Prepare, set up and operate profiling wood machinery. This includes vertical spindle moulder (straight work), four-sided planer and moulder, high-speed router, double-end tenoner, wood turning lathe, copying lathe, linear shaper, rotary shaper machines

Boring

Prepare, set up and operate boring wood machinery. This includes single-head machine and multi-head machine

Sanding

• Sand materials for preparation prior to assembly, post-assembly and denibbing
• Understand grit sizes and the process of sanding. This includes the use of wide belt sander, overhead narrow belt sander, disc sander, bobbin sander, linisher and profile sander

Edge Banding

Carry out the edge-banding process following standard operating procedures. This includes edge-banding by hand, colour matching, timber and PVC lippings, calibration and finishing techniques

Operate Machinery and Equipment

Operate woodworking machinery and equipment to meet company requirements. Prepare tools and equipment including tooling technology and calibration of measuring equipment

Joints

Prepare, set up and operate wood machinery to produce jointed wood and wood-based products. This includes chisel morticer, chain morticer, slot morticer, dovetailer, vertical spindle moulder, stair router, single-end tenoner, double-end tenoner, round-end tenoner, dowler and router

Assembly

Assemble components of furniture following standard operating procedures. Understand the sequence of assembly and why this is important

Where you'll work

Wide Lane
Morley
Leeds
LS27 9BL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

KIRKLEES COLLEGE

Training course

Furniture manufacturer (level 2)

Training schedule

• The apprentice will work towards the Furniture Manufacturer Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard qualification under the Wood Machinist pathway
• Delivery method and location of training to be confirmed

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths/ English (grade 2 or above)

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
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience