Wood Machinist
What is the work like?
As a skilled wood machinist you would cut and prepare timber for builders’ merchants, DIY stores, and the furniture making and construction industries.
You would make a wide range of timber products such as:
- floorboards and staircases
- door and window frames
- kitchen units and cabinets
- fencing and pallets.
Your main duties could include:
- planning jobs following detailed technical drawings
- selecting the right type of wood for a particular product
- working out the amount of timber needed
- cutting and shaping timber, using tools like saws, planes and routers
- cleaning workshop tools and servicing equipment.
As well as hand tools, your job is likely to involve using computer-controlled equipment, and you may also be trained to use computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) methods as part of your work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Employers tend to want people with some on-site experience. If you have not worked in construction before, then you may want to think about working as a site labourer or timber yard worker gain experience. Once working, your employer may be willing to offer you training.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme with a mill, building firm or furniture making company. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Alternatively, you could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for this type of work but employers may still want to see some experience. Relevant courses include:
- City & Guilds Certificate for Basic Skills in Construction (6217)
- Edexcel Introductory Certificate/Diploma in Construction
- Intermediate Construction Award in Wood Machining.
Check with ConstructionSkills and your local colleges for more details.
For more information about working as a machinist in furniture manufacturing, see the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors National Training Organisation (FFINTO).
What further training and development can I do?
You could take work-based training courses, leading to NVQs, including Woodmachining at levels 2 and 3 with options in construction, sawmilling and furniture making. This particular NVQ covers:
- making sawn and planed products
- producing shaped, turned, jointed, sanded and bored items
- using CNC/NC machine tools
- machinery and equipment maintenance.
See ConstructionSkills below for more information about work-based qualifications.
Where can I go for more information?
Bircham NewtonKing's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577
Beeston
Nottingham
NG9 2NG
Tel: 0115 9221200
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries for new wood machinists range from £11,500 to £15,000.
- With qualifications and experience, this can rise to between £18,500 and £21,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You could expect to work up to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Overtime may be available and shiftwork is common.
You would spend most of your time working in a well-ventilated sawmill or workshop. The work can be physically demanding, and you will use protective clothing and equipment to reduce the effects of noise and dust.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical skills and some mechanical knowledge
- a good understanding of the properties of timber
- the ability to follow instructions and production schedules
- the ability to concentrate for long periods and pay close attention to detail
- a safety conscious approach to work
- the ability to work on your own and in a team
- good numeracy skills to make calculations and measurements.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work as a wood machinist with timber yards, sawmills, construction firms and furniture manufacturing companies.
With experience, you may be able to move into related jobs like bench joinery, shopfitting or kitchen and bathroom installation. Your options for promotion would include supervisory jobs and workshop or sawmill management.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
The Doorway
Timber Trade Federation (list of wood product manufacturers)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Search
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
