Trainee Carpenter

Build skills and qualifications that can set you up for life, while enjoying travel, sports and challenges.

Everything you need to know about the role, requirements and what you’ll gain.

You can join between the ages of 16 – 36. At the time of your application you will need to be between 15 years & 7 months old and
35 years & 6 months old.

You can start your training as a Junior Soldier at the Army Foundation College from the age of 16 years and 6 months.

GCSE Grade A–D/9-3, or Scottish National 4, in Maths, English Language and one other subject.

Unsure about any requirements? Our recruitment team is here to help.

Construction is a big part of the Army's work at home and abroad. Become a highly skilled Carpenter and Joiner, and you'll help with all kinds of building projects. Our first-class training will teach you to work from drawings, plan tasks, use workshop machinery and scaffolding, and prepare timber for use. You'll also learn to make joints, windows, door frames, partitions, floors and roofing.

With this experience plus qualifications, you'll have a great CV if you ever decide to leave Army service.

Until then, there's plenty to enjoy: sports, Adventurous Training and fantastic friends.
Carpenter and Joiner is a Trade role in the Royal Engineers. All the Royal Engineer soldier job roles are divided into 5 groups. When you apply to the Engineers, you will apply to the trade group rather than the specific trade.

Plan carpentry and joinery tasks from sketches and working drawings

Learn the use and maintenance of workshop machinery

Prepare timber for use, manufacture joints, use adhesives, produce windows, door frames, door linings and internal joinery fitments

Carry out general construction work, first-fix timber frames, second-fix internal joinery fitments

Install partitions, floors, roofing, timber-framed buildings, formwork and shoring

Construct scaffolding, interpret scaffold terms, erect access scaffold and install access ladders

Step 1
Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.

If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do a military training course at Harrogate .

If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training .

Step 2
You head to the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment near Camberley, Surrey, for 12 weeks. Here, you learn military engineering skills, such as knots and lashings, demolition, mine warfare and bridge building. The final stage of training is 21 weeks at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham, Kent. Here, you learn how to use machinery and hand tools to make timber building materials.

You'll earn £27,282 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.

Level 3 Military Engineering Construction Technician Apprenticeship

(contains the following pathways: Heating and Plumbing, Carpenter and Joiner, Building & Structural Finisher, Plant Operator Mechanic)

From application to training, you can expect a timeline of around 3-6 months.

Timelines can vary based on individual circumstances.

1. 1-2 days

2. 1 - 2 weeks

Meet with an Army Recruiter who will discuss your application, answer questions, and guide you through the next steps.

Next you'll have your medical records checked. This could take some time as it's a really important step to make sure it's safe for you to join.

4. 1-3 months

Attend a 2-day residential assessment where you'll complete fitness tests, cognitive assessments, medical examinations, and team exercises.

5. 3 - 5 months

Background and security checks are conducted.…