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Free Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery Course in Brighton – Brighton MET East Campus – Full-time

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start14 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery Course in Brighton. Classes run at Brighton MET East Campus, full-time during the day. The course runs for one year. You'll learn the basics of carpentry and joinery, including woodworking joints, hand tools, and portable power tools. You'll also build an understanding of construction in a wider context. To start, you'll need at least two GCSEs at grade 2 or above in both maths and English. Places are limited to 60 due to health and safety requirements.

Who this course is for

Studying Carpentry and Joinery at Brighton MET is fun, exciting and will leave you with the skills, confidence and underpinning knowledge to progress on to one of our Level 2 courses. This vocational course is will give you an understanding of construction in a wider context, as well as introducing the basics of carpentry.

You will learn key practical skills in producing woodworking joints, maintaining and using hand tools and preparing and using portable power tools. Our newly built construction centre provides industry standard facilities where you can learn the vital skills that employers are looking for in the construction industry.

Entry requirements

To start at Level 1 you should have at least at least two GCSEs at grade 2 or above in both maths and English. If you do not have these grades you may be able to start on one of our other construction courses. Contact us if you are unsure which Level to apply for.

There are only 60 places on this course due to health and safety restrictions so please be aware that an offer at interview is not a guarantee of a place on your first choice course.

What you will learn

  • You'll produce a range of woodworking joints using hand tools.
  • You'll learn how to maintain and use hand tools safely.
  • You'll prepare and use portable power tools.
  • You'll develop an understanding of construction in a wider context.
  • You'll build the practical foundations needed to progress to Level 2 carpentry and joinery training.

How you will learn

You'll learn through hands-on practical work in the workshop, alongside classroom-based sessions covering underpinning knowledge. Assessment is through practical tasks and coursework completed during the year. Brighton MET East Campus has newly built facilities for this training.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Brighton MET East Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Carpenter: how to become a carpenter starts here at Level 1.
  • Joiner: workshop-based role making doors, frames, and fittings.
  • Construction labourer: entry-level site work while building your skills.
  • Shopfitter: fitting out retail and commercial interiors.
  • Maintenance operative: carrying out repairs and upkeep in buildings.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery: the natural next step after this course, building on your practical skills and moving toward skilled trade work.
  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Site Carpentry or Bench Joinery: the qualification carpenters typically need for a CSCS skilled-worker card and recognised trade status.
  • Functional Skills Maths and English Level 2: useful alongside your carpentry training if you want to strengthen your core qualifications.
Apply on brightonmet.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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