Apprentice Carpenter in Leeds

Annual salary: up to £28,186.33

Course title: Carpentry and Joinery level 2

Location: Leeds

Contract Type: Fixed Term Apprenticeship

Salary:

• Age 16–18: £7.96 per hour — 40 hours per week (including time at college)
• Age 19–20: £11.06 per hour — 42.5 hours per week (including time at college)
• Age 21+: £12.21 per hour (rising to £12.71 in April) — 42.5 hours per week (including time at college)

Training provider: Leeds College of Building

You will join Mears Group in the week commencing 03/08/2026, and your apprenticeship course will begin in the week commencing 07/09/2026. The programme has an expected duration of approximately 24 months.

About apprenticeships at Mears Group: Apprenticeships are an underpinning part of Mears’ philosophy; we are committed to developing the next generation of our workforce, many of our most senior people started their working life as an apprentice. Whether you are fresh out of school or college or looking for a complete career change, Mears can offer you a great foundation to your future career and beyond. All our Apprentices are paid above the national minimum wage, and you’ll be paid for your normal working hours plus your attendance at college, with the opportunity to get real life experiences such as working in people’s homes, getting involved in community projects and improving people’s lives by being customer focused.

What does a life as a Carpenter & Joiner look like: A Site Carpenter & Joiner will usually work on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises, preparing and fixing building components from the initial erection of a new building, through to the installation of all necessary fixtures and fittings, as well as a range of repair and maintenance activities in both new and old buildings. A Site Carpenter would generally liaise with other trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and plumbers, supervisors, site management and contractors. Although this is a Carpentry apprenticeship, the manager has confirmed that you’ll also gain experience across a range of additional trades and multi‑skilled duties. This broader exposure is a real advantage, as it helps you build a stronger understanding of how different trades work together, increases your versatility on site and gives you a more rounded skill set for future career opportunities.

The apprenticeship course will cover the following:

• Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Identify and use safety control equipment, for example, RPE, dust suppression, PPE and LEV.
• Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
• Interpret and use information from drawings and specifications.
• Estimate required materials and produce a cutting list.
• Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
• Apply site carpenter techniques and practices to construction of rafter roofs, including trussed (prefabricated) and traditional (built on site) including the construction of verge, eaves and fitting loft access.
• Use and store laser levels for example cross line laser.
• Form connections, for example, using joints, nails, screws, bolts and adhesive.
• Apply measuring, marking out, cutting (square and angled), mitring, hinging and recessing techniques.
• Carrying out splicing and scribing techniques.

What do you need to be a successful applicant:

• GCSEs in English and maths at grade 3 or above.
• The ability to travel to your college provider and to your branch when required.
• A genuine desire to learn and develop strong technical knowledge, including the skills, technology, and safety procedures needed to carry out the full range of tasks.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive customer and client relationships.

Please note due to the nature of the role successful applicants are required to complete a basic Math & English test with potential of a practical test at interview stage.

What you will get:

• Tools, Chromebook, and uniform supplied.
• An industry‑recognised qualification.
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• £250 contribution towards driving lessons.
• Annual Mears Fun Day - a company‑wide celebration as a thank‑you from the Executive Team.
• Support from Mears Group Apprentice Ambassadors.
• Apprenticeship events and reward trips.
• Staff perks through Mears Rewards - including discounts on weekly groceries (up to 10%), holidays, eye‑test vouchers, ShareSave scheme, and more.

Application Process:

• All applicants must submit their CV and complete the apprenticeship questionnaire via the Mears Careers website.
• If shortlisted, you will be contacted to confirm whether you have been selected for the next stage - this may be an assessment centre or an individual interview.
• Please note: as part of the selection process, you will be required to complete a basic maths and English test, similar to the assessments needed to join the college.

Mears Group PLC is a leading provider of housing and care services in the UK. With a strong emphasis on social responsibility and community well-being, Mears specialises in delivering housing solutions, maintenance services, and care support to a diverse client base. The group’s expertise encompasses responsive repairs, planned maintenance, and housing management, contributing to the overall improvement of living conditions for individuals and communities. Mears Group is committed to fostering a positive impact on society, making it an attractive prospect for individuals seeking a career in a socially responsible and dynamic organisation. A career with Mears Group means putting people and customers at the heart of what you do, every day. Our culture is built on what we call our ‘Red Thread’ – the common values we share that make us what we are.

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

If you need any help with your application process, we are here to support you. We will be accessible every step of the way. At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all. We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers. In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.