Free Level 2 Bench Joinery Course in Birmingham – University College Birmingham

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start14 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body

About this course

Free Level 2 Bench Joinery Course in Birmingham. Classes run at University College Birmingham, full-time during the day. Over one year, you'll build the skills and knowledge needed to manufacture and create joinery features using both modern and traditional techniques. This bench joinery qualification covers the core practical and technical skills that employers in the UK construction sector look for. You'll have an initial assessment to confirm this is the right level for you, and the centre will use it to plan your learning.

Who this course is for

Have you got a passion for carpentry, joinery and working with wood? Want to turn this passion into a full-time career? The UK construction industry needs skilled new workers to support major development and regeneration projects throughout the country. By studying our Bench Joinery Level 2 course, you will gain the foundation of skills and knowledge for future work within this sector.

Bench Joiners work on manufacturing and creating a huge variety of features using modern and traditional skills and techniques. In particular, you may work on windows, doors, cabinets, cupboards and staircases, supporting new construction, refurbishment and restoration projects. Our Level 2 bench joinery course will introduce you to everything from using handsaws, planes, chisels and other essential tools to selecting woodworking resources and marking and producing woodworking joints. You will also learn key construction topics such as health and safety, modern sustainable construction methods and green technology, alongside developing your English, maths and other transferable skills to prepare you for the workplace.

Your joinery training will be hands-on, and you will study in our cutting-edge Sustainable Construction Centre on campus, ensuring you have the practical skills to succeed. Once you have completed our joinery course, you will have opportunities to progress to further study, apprenticeships, and careers in the industry.

Entry requirements

Please refer to the University College Birmingham course page for specific entry requirements.

What you will learn

  • You'll learn how to use and maintain hand tools and power tools safely
  • You'll develop skills in measuring, marking out, and cutting timber accurately
  • You'll practise manufacturing joinery components such as doors, frames, and windows
  • You'll understand the properties of different timber types and materials
  • You'll apply health and safety practices relevant to a joinery workshop
  • You'll learn how to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications
  • You'll develop finishing techniques to produce work to a professional standard

How you will learn

You'll learn through practical workshop sessions and classroom-based teaching at University College Birmingham. Assessment includes practical tasks where you demonstrate joinery skills, alongside written or knowledge-based assessments. You'll build a portfolio of evidence throughout the course showing what you can do. Assessment is ongoing rather than a single end-of-course exam.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. University College Birmingham will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Bench joiner: manufacturing doors, windows, and frames in a workshop
  • Site carpenter: fitting joinery on construction sites
  • Shopfitter: installing interiors in retail and commercial spaces
  • Kitchen fitter: measuring and installing fitted kitchens
  • Furniture maker: producing bespoke timber pieces
  • Maintenance joiner: repairs and replacements in housing or facilities

What you could study next

  • NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry or Bench Joinery: the next step for carpenters seeking a CSCS skilled-worker card and higher-level site roles.
  • Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Joinery: deepens technical knowledge for those moving into supervisory or specialist work.
  • Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery: combines paid work with structured training once you have Level 2 foundations in place.

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