Wood machinist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You can take a college course that would teach you some of the skills needed. Relevant courses include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction Skills
• Level 1 Diploma In Carpentry and Joinery
• Level 2 Diploma in Wood Machining

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a wood product manufacturing operative intermediate apprenticeship or a carpentry and joinery intermediate apprenticeship.

If you want to work in the furniture industry you could do a furniture manufacturing intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a labourer in construction, or an assistant with a wood products or furniture manufacturing company. You could then specialise in machining work after doing on-the-job training.

DirectApplication

You could apply directly to work as a wood machinist. You'll need experience of working with timber.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• persistence and determination
• the ability to work on your own
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills
• observation and recording skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of maths
• knowledge of public safety and security
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses

What you'll do:

Wood machinists cut and prepare timber for use in wood products.

In this role you could:

• plan jobs and follow detailed technical drawings
• select the right type of wood for a particular product
• work out the amount of timber needed
• cut and shape timber, using tools like saws, planes and routers
• clean workshop tools and service equipment
• use computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment
• use computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) methods

Location : You could work in a workshop or at a sawmill.
Environment : Your working environment may be dusty, physically demanding and noisy.
Uniform : You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

41 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could progress to a supervisor role, or move into related work like bench joinery, shopfitting or kitchen and bathroom installation.