The short version
- Best routeA Level 2 apprenticeship. Around two years, paid, with college built in.
- Age limitNone.
- Apprentice payAt least £8.00 an hour in year one (April 2026 rate). Lots of firms pay more.
- You'll needA CSCS card to get on most sites.
- Do firstRing local firms. Don't just apply online.
Carpentry is one of the easiest trades to start without experience. No degree needed, no age limit. What matters is a route that gets you the qualification and real time on the tools.
This covers England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland work a bit differently.
Site or workshop?
The apprenticeship splits two ways:
- Site carpenter. Roofs, joists, stud walls, doors, skirting. Outdoors, early starts, lots of variety.
- Architectural joiner. Making doors, windows and stairs in a workshop. More machines, steadier hours.
Neither is better, and plenty of people switch later.
The three ways in
Apprenticeship
You're employed, you're paid, and you go to college on day or block release. The Level 2 usually takes about two years, then you can do Level 3. Your employer covers the training. Many ask for GCSE English and maths at grade 4, but not all.
College first
A good way to try it, or to get skills while you look for a firm. But a diploma on its own won't make you "qualified" on site. You still need site experience and usually an NVQ.
Labouring first
Get on site, learn from a carpenter, then qualify through an experienced worker NVQ. Slower, and it depends on finding someone who'll teach you.
Watch out for paying thousands for a "qualified in weeks" course. No short course replaces site time. Before you pay for one, ask which qualification you'll actually get, and whether it leads to a CSCS card.
Switching careers?
Plenty of carpenters start in their 30s, 40s or later. Firms often like older starters: reliable, can drive, used to work.
The money is the hard bit. The apprentice rate applies if you're under 19, or in your first year. From year two, you're owed the normal minimum wage for your age, which is £12.71 an hour if you're 21 or over. Plan for a tight first year, and ask what firms actually pay.
Your CSCS card
No card, no site. You'll need to pass the CITB health, safety and environment test first.
| Card | For | You need |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | Registered apprentices | Proof of your apprenticeship + HS&E test |
| Green | Labourers | HS&E test + Level 1 Health and Safety award |
| Blue | Qualified carpenters | Usually NVQ Level 2 + HS&E test |
| Gold | Advanced craft | Usually NVQ Level 3 + HS&E test |
Your test pass needs to be from the last two years when you apply. The CSCS website has a card finder if you're unsure.
NVQ Level 2, then 3
The NVQ is how you prove you can do the job. An assessor checks real work you've done. Level 2 makes you qualified. Level 3 is the step before running jobs or going self-employed. Photograph your work from day one. It all counts as evidence.
Finding a firm
Search Find an apprenticeship
The government's listing site. Filter by carpentry and joinery.
Ask your local college
They know which firms take apprentices.
Ring small firms
Most never advertise. A phone call often beats an online application.
Turn up ready
Boots and a few hand tools show you mean it. See the first-year kit list.
Quick answers
Is 30, 40 or 50 too old to start?
No. There's no upper age limit. Budget for year one and go for it.
Are GCSEs required?
Often English and maths at grade 4. If you haven't got them, you can usually work on them during the apprenticeship.
Do apprentices buy their own tools?
Usually the hand tools, yes. Ask about power tools before you spend. Some firms supply them.
How long does it take to qualify?
Roughly two years for Level 2, then about another for Level 3.