Carpentry & Joinery - Pre-Apprenticeship: NQ (Level 5)

What you will learn

You’ll gain a strong foundation in joinery and construction through practical and theory-based learning.

Key Learning Areas

• Carpentry & Joinery Fundamentals – introduction to tools, materials, and safe working practices.
• Bench Joinery Skills – making and assembling components to precise measurements.
• Site Joinery and Construction Carpentry – developing skills for installation and repair work on site.
• Manufacture Joinery Components – creating items such as doors, frames, and fittings.
• Repair and Maintenance – learning to fix and refurbish joinery structures.
• Construction Drawing, Numeracy & ICT – improving technical accuracy and digital literacy.
• Health & Safety Qualification and CSCS Preparation – preparing for industry certification.

This course is delivered through blended learning, combining classroom study with digital and hands-on practical sessions in the workshop.

Entry requirements

There are no formal qualifications required, however you should have:

✅ A genuine interest in carpentry, joinery, or woodworking.

✅ The motivation to develop skills and progress to an apprenticeship.

✅ A willingness to participate fully in both classroom and workshop learning.

ℹ️ All applicants must be 16 years or over by 30th September of the course year.

ℹ️ If you have already completed an NQ Construction Pre-Apprenticeship course, you are not eligible to apply.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

• you need to have SQA ESOL National 5 (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)

• If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

This qualification opens the door to a range of skilled trade and entry-level roles within the construction industry, including:

🪚 Carpenter or Joiner Apprentice

🪵 Bench Joiner

🧰 Site Joiner or Fitter

🏗 Construction or Maintenance Operative

🧾 Trade Counter or Materials Assistant

With further study and experience, you could progress to senior roles such as Master Joiner, Site Supervisor, or move into Furniture Making or Interior Fit-Out.

Future prospects

On completion of the course, you can progress to:

• A Craft Apprenticeship in Carpentry & Joinery.
• Higher-level construction programmes at Glasgow Kelvin College.
• Employment or further training in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

You’ll leave with the practical skills and professional attitude employers are looking for in the modern construction industry.