These are the units you will study over the duration of the course:

Health & safety in the workplace: covering H&S regulations, roles & responsibilities, accident reporting procedures, identification of hazards, handling materials and equipment safely, using access equipment and working at height, working with electrical equipment and using PPE.

Principles of building: you will learn how to interpret different types of building information, consider the environment in relation to construction activities, explain the construction of foundations, walls, floors & roofs and communicate in the workplace.

Setting up and operating machinery: giving you an introduction to circular table saws, morticers, narrow bandsaws and spindle moulders.

Setting out bench joinery products: you will learn how to select resources and interpret information for setting out items of joinery.

Marking out bench joinery products: you will learn how to mark out items of joinery and understand the effect of marking out errors on work.

Manufacture bench joinery products: you will identify the tools and materials used in the workshop to manufacture individual components before assembling them to create finished items of joinery.

On completion of this course you can either go into a formal apprenticeship at our custom built facility in Bicester or full-time employment. You can even study further with us on our Higher Education courses, contact us to find out more.

4 GCSES at Grade 3 including English or Maths OR a Level 1 pass in a related subject plus English or Maths, and both English and Maths must be at least grade 2/Level 1 Functional Skills.

There will be additional cost of approximately £120 for PPE/clothing/equipment and £41 for books. (Costs are given for guidance only.)

As part of your course we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate.

There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.

The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 216 400 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.

On completion of this course you will receive a City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Bench Joinery with Pass, Merit or Distinction grades for the individual units of study based on your performance.

Bench Joinery skills are not something you can learn from a book. At Abingdon & Witney College it’s about ‘hands on’ learning. Fully equipped with the latest equipment and materials and staffed by our expert industry professionals, there is no better place to start your career. The majority of the course is based around practical assessments, with the underpinning knowledge assessed with multiple choice question papers and some online assessment. You will also study GSCE or Functional Skills Maths and English to support your entry to employment or further study.

Your time training at the Skills Centre will be packed with intensive practical experience and maximum working time with the materials and tools used in bench joinery activities. As well as practical skills you will gain a range of transferable skills including written and oral communication, team work and self-directed learning.