Overview of the role

Producing wood products for the construction and furniture industries.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the manufacturing sector, producing wood products for the construction and furniture industries. Wood product manufacturing is at the engineering end of woodworking and forms a critical part of the emerging pre-manufactured solutions sector, identified in the Farmer Review as key to the future of construction. It supplies products to the housing, commercial, public and building sectors. Employers range from small to large, with a prevalence in the medium to large end of the market. Specialism in single product type is particularly common in the larger end of the market. The broad purpose of the occupation is to produce high volume, repetitive, engineered products from timber. Presenting a wide and varied specification for both external and interior applications, products such as roofing components, windows, doors, door-sets, staircases and other timber construction items including trussed rafters, spandrel panels, metal web beams, and I-beams.As well as utilising traditional materials, they use engineered and modified timbers to support product design and delivery, for example Accoya and Thermowood. They cut, layout and assemble materials, working to a specification. Depending on the product, they may install fixtures and fittings, apply finishes and add glazing systems. Wood product manufacturing operatives typically work individually but can also form part of a larger production team and will report to the production supervisor/manager. Workplaces can be wide ranging from small workshops to large state of the art manufacturing facilities. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with customers, delivery personnel, design office, internal stores and suppliers, depending on the size of the organisation. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing their own work to specification, with minimal supervision, ensuring they meet set deadlines. They are responsible for meeting quality requirements and working in accordance with health and safety and environmental considerations.

Typical job titles include:

Cnc (computer numerically controlled) operative Finishing operative/sprayer and assembler Machinist

Occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Prepare a range of machinery, tools and equipment for the manufacturing process

K6 K7 K11 K12

S1 S2 S3 S5 S6 S7 S8 S11 S12 S13

B1 B4 B5

Duty 2 Operate a range of machinery, tools and equipment to produce wood components and products to specification using a variety of raw materials

K3 K4 K6 K11 K12

S1 S2 S6 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15

B1 B4 B5

Duty 3 Identify defects with materials and machinery before and during the manufacturing process

K4 K5 K6 K8 K14 K15

S1 S2 S4 S9 S22

B1 B2 B4 B6

Duty 4 Prepare wood components for the assembly process including sanding, positioning and securing

K3 K5 K6 K7

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S7 S8 S11 S16 S17

B1 B4 B5 B6

Duty 5 Use a range of fixing techniques including joint assembly, installing mechanical fixings and applying appropriate adhesives to form products to the given specification

K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K16 K17 K18

S1 S2 S3 S16

B1 B4 B6

Duty 6 Apply stains, sealers and paints to wood products to comply with the specified product finish requirements

K3 K4 K5 K6 K21

S1 S2 S3 S6 S7 S18 S19 S20

B1 B4 B6

Duty 7 Install appropriate fixtures, fittings and glazing in accordance with the product specification, for example install glass to window or door

K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K18

S1 S2 S3 S6 S7 S20

B1 B4 B6

Duty 8 Undertake glazing operations in accordance with the product specification

K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K22

S1 S2 S3 S6 S21

B1 B4 B6

Duty 9 Assess for post manufacture and assembly product defects and undertake appropriate rectification work

K2 K3 K5 K6 K7 K8 K14 K15

S1 S2 S3 S4 S9 S22 S23

B1 B2 B4 B6

Duty 10 Package and store products in accordance with organisational procedures

K3 K4 K5 K6 K9 K23 K24

S1 S2 S3 S7 S8 S10 S24

B1 B4 B6


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The wood product manufacturing industry, its background and importance. Back to Duty

K2: Commercial operations and how they contribute; key functions involved in the wood product manufacturing process. Back to Duty

K3: Manufacturing processes used to produce the end-product, such as selecting and using the appropriate machinery to perform the task/operation required, sequence of the production process including finishing, packaging and storing products. Back to Duty

K4: Types of customers (for example supplier, client) and customer requirements in terms of product quality, packaging and delivery, for example satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. Back to Duty

K5: Quality standards and product accreditation processes for wood product manufacture, for example ISO 9001:2, independent third-party accreditation. Back to Duty

K6: Health and safety, including the safe use of personal and respiratory protective equipment, local exhaust ventilation, compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), organisational and statutory safe systems of work, controlling dust and manual handling. Back to Duty

K7: Different materials used to manufacture wood products and components, including different species and types of wood, composite panels (for example, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), plywood), adhesives, glass, ironmongery, fixings; their properties, characteristics, how they interrelate and the use of appropriate joining methods. Back to Duty

K8: How different products, for example doors, door-sets, windows, staircases and interior joinery are expected to perform, and how they interact with the wider built environment. Back to Duty

K9: Procedures for the safe handling and storage of wood components, products and glazing systems. Back to Duty

K10: Environmental and sustainability considerations, regulations and good practice, for example the appropriate disposal of waste, recycling of materials and efficient use of resources. Back to Duty

K11: Machines, equipment and tools used in wood product manufacturing including static machinery, portable powered tools and hand tools, what they are used for and their capabilities, correct set-up, use and storage, checks and adjustments, start-up and shut-down procedures. Back to Duty

K12: Principles and uses of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinery in wood product manufacturing, their programming requirements and associated tooling. Back to Duty

K13: Work and product specifications, what they are and how to use them. Back to Duty

K14: Checking and clarifying work requirements, including what needs checking and why. Back to Duty

K15: Types of faults and errors that do occur, investigation and rectification techniques. Back to Duty

K16: Techniques for measuring and cutting components and products. Back to Duty

K17: Assembly methods, how a product is assembled using prepared components from the manufacturing process, appropriate jointing and fixing methods to use and why (mortice and tenonning, butt jointing, screws, dowels, glues etc). Back to Duty

K18: Techniques for installing fixtures and fittings to wood products, for example ironmongery, seals, ancillary metal work and fixings, nail plates and staples, glazing. Back to Duty

K19: Different grit sizes and the sequence of sanding for full finish paint and stain systems. Back to Duty

K20: Different types of adhesives, and processes for their use including application methods. Back to Duty

K21: Techniques for applying specified finishes to components and products. Back to Duty

K22: Requirements for glazing wood products, for example, windows, door leaves, balustrading. Back to Duty

K23: Processes for handover to other manufacturing process functions, for example component production to assembly. Back to Duty

K24: Documentation requirements; written and verbal communication techniques. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Comply with health, safety and environmental requirements, for example safe use of personal and respiratory protective equipment, local exhaust ventilation, statutory regulations and industry standards/codes of practice. Back to Duty

S2: Identify risks and hazards in the workplace and apply appropriate control measures. Back to Duty

S3: Comply with organisational and statutory environmental and sustainability considerations, for example disposal of waste, recycling of materials and efficient use of resources. Back to Duty

S4: Communicate - verbal and/or written, for example with colleagues and/or customers. Back to Duty

S5: Plan work to undertake wood product manufacturing operations. Back to Duty

S6: Read and interpret specifications, diagrams and work instructions, and following these instructions. Back to Duty

S7: Select the correct type and quantity of components and materials. Back to Duty

S8: Prepare the work area before undertaking the work. Back to Duty

S9: Identify faults and issues, for example incorrect or defective wood, defective machinery; and applying solutions. Back to Duty

S10: Pack and store products and components. Back to Duty

S11: Select, set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce wood components. Back to Duty

S12: Prepare and operate Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment. Back to Duty

S13: Use and maintain jigs and templates for wood product manufacturing operations. Back to Duty

S14: Position wood components and apply manual and mechanical cramps to ensure products are secured and in accordance with the work specification. Back to Duty

S15: Assemble wood components to the work specification and given tolerances. Back to Duty

S16: Sand materials and de-nib. Back to Duty

S17: Apply adhesives to wood components. Back to Duty

S18: Apply finishes to wood products, for example stains, sealers, basecoats and paint finishes. Back to Duty

S19: Instal fixtures and fittings to wood products, for example ironmongery, seals, ancillary metal work and fixings, nail plates and staples. Back to Duty

S20: Carry out glazing operations, for example install glass to window or door. Back to Duty

S21: Check and and inspect work to ensure it meets the work specification; undertake rectification or rework where necessary Back to Duty

S22: Report work outcomes and/or problems. Back to Duty

S23: Complete the handover process to other manufacturing process functions/teams. Back to Duty

S24: Complete work documentation, for example job sheets, time cards. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Safety first attitude, for example applies a safety-first attitude when undertaking the work. Back to Duty

B2: Adaptable, for example willing to accept changing priorities and working requirements. Back to Duty

B3: Collaborates, for example works with others. Back to Duty

B4: Pride in the workplace, for example organises work space efficiently and effectively. Back to Duty

B5: Self-motivated, for example manages own time effectively. Back to Duty

B6: Quality workmanship, for example works to agreed quality targets and standards. Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.


Additional details

Occupational Level:

2

Duration (months):

24

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Status: Approved for delivery
Level: 2
Reference: ST0531
Version: 1.0
Date updated: 15/02/2023
Approved for delivery: 3 July 2019
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Typical duration to gateway: 24 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £8000
LARS Code: 472
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Arbor Forest Products, Barnsdale Windows Ltd, British Woodworking Federation, Cotswold Manufacturing Ltd, Didac Ltd, EA Higginson, ERW Joinery, JT Ward Joinery, Neville Joinery, Patchett Joinery, Stairways, Westport Timber Window and Door Technology

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 Approved for delivery 03/07/2019 Not set

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