The minimum age at which an apprentice may commence employment is 16 years.

The minimum educational requirements are:

  Grade D or "Achieved" in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,
or
  The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course,
or
  Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable.

  You must obtain a job as an apprentice in your chosen occupation. Your employer must be approved to train apprentices and must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

Note: These are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes. However, previous experience in the following subjects would be an advantage, though not essential:

• Technical Drawing/Graphics
• Construction Studies
• Materials Technology
• Mathematics

The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of four years, provided all phases are successfully completed.

On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Wood Manufacturing and Finishing.

Phase 1: With Employer

• Induction Training
• Introduction to Health & Safety
• Introduction to Tools & Equipment
• Introduction to Basic Skills

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (21 weeks)

Course Content:

• Induction
• Conversion of pre-sawn timber and hand tools
• Furniture, Veneering and Jig Making
• Profile Sanding
• Carcass manufacture and CNC (Computer Numerical Control)

Phase 3: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

• CNC programming and use
• Construction products
• Furniture products

Phase 5: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

• Furniture technology
• Stair construction and CNC
• Machine Technology

Phase 7: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

The training is provided by the following institutions:

• TU Dublin – City Campus    
• Kerry ETB Training Centre    

Further information is also available from your local Education and Training Board    .

As a Wood Manufacturer and Finisher you need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands.

An awareness of health and safety, along with good housekeeping practices, is essential. Attention to detail and a good eye for shape and design are also important qualities.

The Wood Manufacturer and Finisher must have the ability to:

• Plan and organise
• Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the importance of good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices, including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness, and safety awareness

• Technical Drawing: Drawing in orthographic, isometric and oblique projection, freehand sketching, and drawing to scale and in perspective
• Setting Out: Working off drawings to set out standard or off-standard wood products
• Breaking out: Producing common wood joints using a variety of machines
• Moulding: Developing profile cutters and running off wood mouldings
• Shaping: Making jigs and patterns for use on spindle moulders/routers
• Sanding: Operating flat and profile sanding machines and evaluating the suitability of coated abrasives for various applications
• Construction: Assembling by bonding, wedging or using knock down fittings, and fitting ironmongery
• Veneering and Bonding: Planning and preparing panels for veneering and bonding and operating all machines associated with the process
• Computers: Programming and operating CNC machines to perform complex machining operations
• Finishing: Applying stain and spray finish to furniture/joinery products

Specialist Skills

• Wood Turning: Using manual, semiautomatic or CNC lathes to produce turned pieces
• Saw Doctoring: Sharpening and setting circular saw blades, wide bandsaw blades and handsaw blades
• Tool Room Maintenance: Operating manual, automatic and CNC grinding machines to sharpen and/or shape machine cutters

• Technical Drawing: Drawing in orthographic, isometric and oblique projection, freehand sketching, and drawing to scale and in perspective
• Construction: Assembling by bonding, wedging or using knock down fittings, and fitting ironmongery
• Veneering and Bonding: Planning and preparing panels for veneering and bonding and operating all machines associated with the process
• Finishing: Applying stain and spray finish to furniture/joinery products

Wood Manufacturer and Finishers require many skills including:

• Working with a variety of specialised hand and power tools
• Knowledge of setting out, production and assembly of furniture and construction components
• Knowledge of a CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing) software for CNC (Computer Numerical Control) programming
• Performing craft calculations and selecting materials to meet design requirements
• Interpreting technical drawings and specifications
• Planning and organising work schedules
• Liaising with other professions and clients
• Performing routine maintenance and repairs on machines

Aspects of Work 

• Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge, and competence
• Working with, and learning from, experienced craftspersons
• Seeing a job through from start to finish
• Comply with health and safety requirements
• Understanding technical drawings and diagrams
• Working with wood and wood based products
• Working with hand tools and power tools
• Operating, controlling and adjusting equipment/machines
• Accuracy with numbers in counting, measuring, and arithmetic
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
• Working in a workshop or factory
• Lifting or carrying heavy items
• Being physically active
• Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
• Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals, skill demonstrations)
• Earning as you learn

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession. 

Many craftspersons use their apprenticeship qualification as a foundation to pursue careers as engineers, managers, business owners, teachers, instructors, and more. An apprenticeship is often the first step toward a career as an instructor, teacher, manager, or business owner.

As a woodturner, you will also have the opportunity to start your own business—for example, opening a joinery shop.

Where apprentices and craftspeople have the necessary ability, initiative, and basic qualifications, there are various opportunities for advancement. These may include advanced technology or management courses offered by  technological universities, colleges, and professional bodies. 

People already in employment have several options for both educational and career progression. These may include:

• Gaining promotion within your current company
• Using your qualifications and experience to secure a more senior position with another employer
• Starting your own business, based on your skills, qualifications, and experience, is also a potential progression route. 

Whatever path you choose, remember that education is a lifelong journey. You can always continue to upskill or retrain at any stage of your life.

Useful links to educational and enterprise supports are provided below.

Career Progression Useful Links

Educational Supports

On completion of an apprenticeship, your educational progression options may include full awards at Levels 7 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). You may also choose to pursue a partial award or upskill in a specific area by undertaking a short, specialised course.

Depending on your skills, knowledge, and experience, some of the opportunities listed below may support the development of your chosen career pathway.

• Springboard & conversion courses      
• Skillnet Sector learning network courses    
• Skills to advance Local ETB Board    
• Further education training centres Fetchcourses
• Post graduate education Search Post Graduate options

Enterprise and Self-Employment Supports

On completion of an apprenticeship and with the relevant knowledge, skills, and experience, you may decide to set up your own business. The links below may be useful to support you:

• Local Enterprise Offices     For profit Local enterprise support
• Local Area Partnerships     For profit enterprise support
• Social entrepreneurs     Not-for-profit enterprise support
• Franchising     Developing your business under an established franchise

In order to secure an apprenticeship, you must first secure a contract with an employer. You must apply directly to an employer rather than the training provider. Once you have found an employer to take you on as an apprentice, your employer must then register you as an apprentice with SOLAS    .

• The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
• The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

Opportunities for this apprenticeship arise throughout the year.
To secure an apprenticeship contract of employment, you should identify and target companies you are interested in and apply to them directly.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search for current vacancies and view a list of approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal     . The portal allows you to search by location and by employer within each apprenticeship trade.

View Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship Type here    

Search training available at your local ETB by selecting your county here    

Colour vision requirements

Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship applicants are required to pass the colour vision test approved by SOLAS  – the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition).

Further information is also available from your local Education and Training Board    .

Finding an Employer

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship and secure an apprenticeship work contract you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

You should also directly connect with local employers who might be interested in taking on an apprentice. It is a great idea to get a part time job with a local employer who might be more inclined to take you on as an apprentice following a successful work experience placement or a part time job contract.

Further information about this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations on this website:

Online Job Sites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn.

Employment Salary (On-the-job)
The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.

Training Allowance (Off-the-job)
A training allowance is paid by the local Education and Training Board (ETB) while you are attending the off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid.

The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable. These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector. The hourly rates and weekly gross wage norms in the construction industry are listed below.

Weekly Gross Wage Norms 

View more details on construction rates of pay at Connect Trade Union    .

(Connect is the largest trade union representing construction, electrical, and technical workers in Ireland.)

Apprentice Hourly Rates of Pay in the Construction Industry

(Per Construction SEO Order SI 620 of 2024)

From 1st August 2025 to 31st July 2026 

• 1st Year.     33.33%.    €7.67
• 2nd year.    50%.        €11.50
• 3rd Year.     75%.        €17.25 
• 4th Year.     90%.        €20.70 

From 1st August 2026 

• 1st Year.    33.33%.       €7.91
• 2nd year.    50%.          €11.87
• 3rd Year.     75%.          €17.81 
• 4th Year.     90%           €21.37

View more details on Industry rates of Pay at Connect Trade Union     .

View more Information on off-the-job payments here    .

For information on how to access payslips via PEOPLEXD, see out the Apprentice Payee PeopleXD for Payees User Reference Guide    . 

FEES

Apprentices complete two of their three phases of off-the-job training in a higher education institution. A student contribution must be paid for this part of the training.

The amount of the student contribution is a proportion of the annual student contribution paid by students who are attending a full-time course in higher education. The student contribution is paid directly to the higher education institution.

The student contribution for this apprenticeship is €1,000 for Phase 4 and €1,000 for Phase 6.