Free Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery Course in Gateshead

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body

About this course

Free Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery Course in Gateshead. Classes run at Gateshead College Skills Academy for Construction, full-time during the day. Over the course of a year, you'll cover hand tools, power tools, woodworking joints, health and safety, and construction technology. You'll be assessed through practical workshop tasks, online assessments, and a portfolio of evidence. This carpentry and joinery qualification is a strong starting point for an apprenticeship or further study in the trade.

Who this course is for

Designed to develop your skills and knowledge in carpentry and joinery to prepare you for employment.

The course is made up of the following units: -Health, safety and welfare in construction and associated industries -Maintain and use carpentry and joinery hand tools -Produce woodworking joints -Prepare and use carpentry and joinery portable power tools -Knowledge of construction technology -Knowledge of technical information, quantities and communication with others.

Your progress will be monitored through a series of short on-line tests, regular practical assessments and an extensive skills test at the end of the course.

On completion, you'll be able to progress to: -Employment -Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry -Level 2 Diploma in Bench Joinery -Level 1 NVQ Diploma in Wood occupations -An Apprenticeship

Getting the Employment Edge: -If you're looking to work in construction you need to have a minimum level of health, safety and environmental awareness before going on site. The College will help you become job ready by paying for all of our students and apprentices to complete the CITB Health, safety & environment (HS&E) test. We'll also help you apply for a construction Skills Certification (CSCS) Card, which is a requirement for all workers and trainees no matter your job role. On many construction sites you won't be able to enter unless you have passed the HS&E and/or have a valid CSCS card.

Once you have passed the HS&E test you'll be able to gain work experience with local companies to practice the skills you learnt at college in the real world. Gaining this experience is ideal for moving onto an apprenticeship or full time employment.

Entry requirements

How will I be assessed? -You will be assessed throughout the programme by use of practical assessments within our workshops and also via online assessments. You will also need to build a portfolio of evidence that will be submitted to the awarding body at the end of the programme.

How will I be taught? -You will be taught by experienced industry tutors. The course will include a mix of classroom, practical and assessment activities to involve the learners and provide a relevant and engaging learning experience.

Qualifications needed: -2 GCSEs Grade 3 (D) or above, ideally including Maths and English or equivalent.

Required Experience: -We welcome all applicants without any prior experience or knowledge in this area. You will need motivation to achieve and have a passion to gain skills enabling you to progress this as a career in the future.

What you will learn

  • You'll learn how to maintain and use carpentry and joinery hand tools safely.
  • You'll practise producing woodworking joints to industry standards.
  • You'll prepare and use portable power tools for carpentry tasks.
  • You'll develop knowledge of construction technology and how buildings go together.
  • You'll learn how to read technical information and calculate quantities.
  • You'll understand health, safety, and welfare requirements in construction.
  • You'll build skills in communicating with others on site.

How you will learn

You'll learn through a mix of classroom sessions, practical work in dedicated construction trade workshops, and assessment activities. Experienced industry tutors will guide you through both the theory and hands-on elements. You'll be assessed throughout the programme using practical assessments in the workshops and online assessments. At the end of the programme, you'll submit a portfolio of evidence to City and Guilds.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Gateshead College Skills Academy for Construction will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Carpenter's labourer: support skilled carpenters on construction sites.
  • Joinery workshop assistant: assist with cutting, shaping, and fitting timber.
  • Construction site operative: general site work while building trade skills.
  • Apprentice carpenter: earn while you learn toward a full carpentry qualification.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry or Bench Joinery: the natural next step, building on your Level 1 skills and moving you closer to skilled-worker status.
  • Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship: combine paid work with structured training toward a recognised trade qualification.
  • Level 3 NVQ in Site Carpentry: the qualification carpenters typically need for a CSCS skilled-worker card and higher-grade site work.

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