Wood machinist
Wood machinists cut and prepare timber for use in wood products.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £16,000 - £28,000
Typical hours (a week): 41 - 43
Related videos on a wood machinist
How to become a wood machinist
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You can take a college course that would teach you some of the skills needed. Relevant courses include:
- Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction Skills
- Level 1 Diploma In Carpentry and Joinery
- Level 2 Diploma in Wood Machining
College (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
Apprenticeship
You could do a wood product manufacturing operative intermediate apprenticeship, or an advanced apprenticeship in wood machining. You could also get into this career through an intermediate apprenticeship for furniture manufacturers, or a furniture CNC technician advanced apprenticeship, if you're working in the furniture manufacturing industry.
Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a labourer in construction, or an assistant with a wood products or furniture manufacturing company. You could then specialise in machining work after doing on-the-job training.
Direct application
You could apply directly to work as a wood machinist. You'll need experience of working with timber.
More info
Further information You can get more details about how to become a wood machinist from Go Construct.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- persistence and determination
- the ability to work on your own
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you'll do
Day to day
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- planning jobs following detailed technical drawings
- selecting the right type of wood for a particular product
- working out the amount of timber needed
- cutting and shaping timber, using tools like saws, planes and routers
- cleaning workshop tools and servicing equipment
- using computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment
- using computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) methods
Working environment
You could work in a workshop or at a sawmill. Your working environment may be dusty, physically demanding and noisy. You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
With experience, you could progress to a supervisor role, or move into related work like bench joinery, shopfitting or kitchen and bathroom installation.
