Free Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery Course in Manchester – The Manchester College Openshaw Campus

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body

About this course

Free Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery Course in Manchester. Classes run at The Manchester College Openshaw Campus, full-time during the day. This carpentry and joinery course introduces you to the core skills and knowledge used in the trade, covering both carpentry and joinery techniques. It runs for one year and is open to learners aged 16 and above who want to work in construction. A free carpentry and joinery course for adults and school leavers alike, it gives you a solid foundation before moving into more advanced training.

Who this course is for

Are you considering a career in the construction Industry? If you’d like to learn the essential skills required by the construction industry and earn a qualification, then this is the course for you.

This is for learners interested in working in the construction industry, but do not know which trade area to specialise in. The Level 1 qualification in Construction Skills is the perfect opportunity to develop practical skills needed by some employers in the industry, while giving you a taster of a variety of trades before choosing to progress into further learning in a specific trade such as bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating, or plumbing.

On this Level 1 Certificate, you’ll cover a range of essential skills and knowledge to prepare you for work in your chosen area of bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating, plumbing and also a mandatory unit on Introduction to health and safety in construction

As part of the course, you’ll be able to develop your functional skills in English and maths alongside your construction skills. This will help fully prepare you for a successful career in the Construction sector.

What you will learn

  • You'll learn the principles of carpentry and joinery used in the construction industry.
  • You'll develop practical skills in cutting, shaping, and joining timber.
  • You'll understand how to use and maintain hand tools and power tools safely.
  • You'll learn how to read and interpret basic construction drawings and measurements.
  • You'll practise fixing and installing timber components.
  • You'll study health and safety requirements relevant to carpentry and joinery work.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions and hands-on practical work. Assessment is carried out through a combination of practical tasks and written assignments. You'll be assessed on your ability to apply carpentry and joinery skills in realistic workshop conditions. An initial assessment will confirm that this is the right level for you and help plan your learning.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. The Manchester College Openshaw Campus 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: help produce timber components and fittings.
  • Maintenance operative: carry out basic repairs and timber work in buildings.
  • Construction site operative: general site work with a carpentry focus.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry (City and Guilds): the next step toward skilled carpenter status and a CSCS skilled-worker card.
  • Level 2 Diploma in Bench Joinery (City and Guilds): if you want to specialise in workshop-based joinery and furniture production.
  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Site Carpentry: the qualification carpenters typically need to work independently on site and progress to higher-grade CSCS cards.

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