Trainee Carpenter (Full Time)

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.

Age

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 and35 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.

Need help?

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, doorframes, 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

Online application

2. 1 - 2 weeks

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

Medical Checks

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

Assessment centre

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

5. 3 - 5 months

Security clearance

Background and security checks are conducted. This can take longer depending on your personal circumstances and history.

Real Army Life

Meet the team

Find out more about what it's like to be a Carpenter & Joiner in the Royal Engineers

Your accommodation

Train in modern gyms and facilities built to keep you fit, strong and ready.

Food & Meals

See what daily meals look like at the cookhouse and how they fuel you for training and tasks.

Find out about the healthcare, dental, and support facilities available to you.

Adventurous Training

Build resilience, teamwork and confidence through activities like climbing, skiing and watersports.

Your money goes further

Learn how your pay, perks and support go further than many civilian jobs.

Sports & fitness

From beginner to elite, explore all the sports you can take part in at every level.

Off-Duty & Spare time

Discover what you can do in your downtime, on camp and beyond.

Travel the world

See how Army life gives you chances to travel the world and experience new places.

Ask a Soldier

Get honest answers from real soldiers in the roles you’re interested in. Read previously asked questions or ask your own.

You can expect to travel all over the world as a Royal Engineer. In my nearly 15 years in the military as a serving Royal Engineer I have deployed on operations and exercises all over the the UK, Germany, Cyprus, Afghanistan, Turkey, Italy, France and Belgium.

As a Royal Engineer, you can expect opportunities to work and train in the UK and overseas. Sappers support operations globally, using their skills to solve real-world engineering challenges in different environments and alongside a wide range of Army units.

Rob Needham

Most days you finish work and can spend your evenings however you like, and you’re usually free to go away at weekends.

When you’re not on duty, your time is your own. Many people use evenings and weekends to relax, keep active, or spend time with friends on camp.

James M

Infantry

There truly is no job like being in the Army, where colleagues become your friends.

You’re living, training and working with the same people, so friendships build very quickly.

Yes. Everyone starts in the same position, learning together and supporting each other. That shared journey makes it easy to form friendships and feel like you belong.

Kelvin R

Infantry

The Army has worked hard to improve its food options, with several choices available each day including hot meals and healthier options.

You’ll eat in the cookhouse, where meals are prepared for you each day. There’s a good choice, and it’s designed to keep you fuelled for training.

Rob H

Royal Armoured Corps

There are varied periods where you’ll be extremely busy and also periods where you could be having downtime at home with family and friends.

Not at all. Some parts are intense, especially during training or when learning something new, but it’s not like that all the time. You’ll have structured periods where you’re focused and pushed to do your best, but there’s also downtime to reset, socialise and look after yourself. That balance helps you grow without feeling overwhelmed.

Jen C

Adjutant General's Corps

Your future starts here

Every Carpenter and Joiner started exactly where you are now. Take the first step.

Could you look after all the Army’s heating and plumbing, all over the world? It’s a big job - but you’ll get great training and support.

Fixing bomb-damaged buildings, building runways in the Army, Bricklaying is an important job. With worldwide travel and fantastic training, you'll be set for life.