Mostly, the path that you choose to pursue in your professional life will be closely related to your interests. Some people might prefer to use their minds for calculations, while others might enjoy creating creative stuff with their hands. Conveniently, a joiner is the ideal occupation for those who like to make use of their muscle and brain to build things.
In the construction industry, this role is essential. Without them, there would be no floors, walls, roofs, or stairs in residential structures. To put it briefly, these skilled craftsmen are in charge of wood materials. Their everyday task is cutting, shaping, and joining them to create functional tools with visually appealing features.
This article will give you an overview of what a joiner is, a brief explanation of whether they are the same as a carpenter, some requirements and qualifications needed, and the public’s sentiments about this occupation in the United Kingdom. After processing all the information about this profession, you will understand that their responsibilities are major in your everyday life.
Is a joiner the same as a carpenter?
No, joinery is not the same as carpentry. Those two are indeed particular in woodturning trades; they also engage with their hands to create and install components. However, both of them are different. Just think about them as siblings; similar but not identical. They require pretty much the same skills but have different duties.
As stated before, a joiner and a carpenter use lumber to complete various projects and work in the construction industry. These jobs require excellent abilities, techniques, and competencies in woodworking. Similar to the way they sound and look, there is a subtle contrast between the two disciplines. Both are crucial, but “individual” in the construction industry.
Duties
The most different part that people notice is their duty. Between these two roles, joinery does not install the furniture like carpenters. It is clear that carpenters do both the construction process and the installation. They use a variety of specialised power tools, while people who work in joinery typically depend more on precise mechanical equipment. The tasks of a joiner include:
- Choosing the right type and quality of wood
- Reading and understanding the blueprints and sketches requirements
- Measuring, shaping, and marking wood with great accuracy
- Crafting staircases, doors, windows, and furniture
- Repairing or restoring damaged furniture
- Checking structures and fixtures for any necessary repairs or replacements
- Ensuring all products meet quality and safety standards
Work locations
Carpenters are commonly found at building construction sites. Due to their integrated work with construction processes, they tend to relocate to different work locations frequently since they are also needed on-site for installation. In the meantime, joiners do their function in well-equipped workshops. Those workplaces are needed to hold large and heavy machines to create each product.
Tools utilisation
Since they are prone to move regularly, carpenters usually rely on portable tools that are easy to transport to different construction areas. Their toolkits are flexible, efficient, and multifunctional, for example, nail guns, power drills, and circular saws. On the other hand, a joiner requires the best tools in order to produce a high-quality end product. Below are some examples of tools that are used for their daily tasks:
- Doweling jigs
- Biscuit cutters
- Router
- Mortise and tenon tools
- Bevel-edged chisel
Qualifications to be a joiner
A high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) is a prerequisite for most apprenticeship programmes when you decide to work in this field. While in preparatory school, you should consider pursuing some helpful classes that will prepare and improve your technical skills. You need to focus on subjects like mathematics (especially Algebra and Geometry) and drawing.
Alternatively, you could also try one of the most common ways of becoming a joiner by taking a college course. Then, you could complete an apprenticeship with a trade union, professional association, or contractor before earning their license. In general, it will take 3-4 years to accomplish. However, you can earn a wage while spending your time learning these specific skills, which is beneficial for your portfolio and hands-on projects and assignments.
After mastering general techniques, some candidates decide to specialise in either commercial or residential. This specialisation often depends on their interests, their working environment preference, and demand in the job market. In addition, they may also choose to enrol in additional courses to complement their practice and increase their technical skill sets.
Are joiners considered a good job in the UK?
Yes, a joiner is considered a rewarding and stable career path in the United Kingdom. This profession allows individuals to continually improve their skills and work with a variety of materials and the highest level of tool development. In addition, these craftsmen feel a sense of achievement for their contribution to long-lasting daily occurrence structures.
For the most part, wood crafters earn varying wages based on experience, level of responsibility, and employment status. Entry-level employees earn around £13.60 per hour or £25,000 annually. Meanwhile, the experienced ones earn up to £20 hourly or £44,850 per year. In parallel, self-employed individuals can gain a daily paycheck from £198 to £256, depending on experience and location.
Overall, embarking on a career in this path offers more than just a good title or guaranteed employment. A joiner will encounter day-to-day learning experiences and enhance their problem-solving skills just with their “magical hands”. Since the world evolves, the public’s interest in custom-built and eco-friendly furniture keeps increasing. Therefore, you will likely see a continuing demand for their skills in order to maintain the planet that people live on.
Start your joinery career now!
In summary, a joiner is a specialised artisan who combines talent and technical expertise to create beautiful, functional, and structurally sound woodwork in homes and buildings. By understanding the significance of their craftsmanship, you can appreciate more woodwork furnishings around you and how the construction industry is basically the “backbone” in every aspect of people’s lives.
Just like these professionals, the College of Contract Management will assist you in cutting through every bit of confusion in your journey to becoming a true skilled expert with their accessible and qualified tutors. Chisel your way to success and nail your future now with their learning programmes!
