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Wood machinist
Wood machinists cut and prepare timber for use in wood products.
Average salary (a year)
£16000
Starter
£28000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
41.0 to 43.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; applying directly
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
You'll usually need:
  • 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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-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
You'll usually need:
  • 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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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.
Direct Application
You could apply directly to work as a wood machinist. You'll need experience of working with timber.
More Information
Further Information
You can get more details about how to become a wood machinist from Go Construct.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
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
Working environment
You could work in a workshop or at a sawmill.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Your working environment may be dusty, physically demanding and noisy.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could progress to a supervisor role, or move into related work like bench joinery, shopfitting or kitchen and bathroom installation.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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