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Wood Machinist

Do you want to become a Wood Machinist? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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Wood machinists cut and shape wood. The work they do may vary, depending on the area of the wood machining industry in which they work. For example, they might make floorboards, doors, window frames, parts of furniture or timber-framed houses.

They use different types of tools and machinery, such as saws to cut wood, planers to get straight edges, and routers to create complicated shapes and finishes.

Wood machinists may:

• look at drawings and written instructions of the products they have to make
• choose the right type and amount of wood to use
• set up machinery and program it if it is computerised
• feed wood into machines
• check that their work is correct
• clean and maintain tools and machinery.

Wood machinists are likely to work 39 hours a week, which may include shift work. They usually work in workshops which can become dusty, although most have dust extractors. It can also be noisy, so it is often necessary to wear ear protectors.

Wood machinists earn between about £15,000 and £26,000 a year.

A wood machinist should:

• understand the qualities of wood
• be able to work accurately
• be good at using tools, machines and computers
• have a mature attitude and be very safety conscious
• enjoy making things.

There are around 40,000 wood machinists working throughout the UK. Most of them work for joinery manufacturers. Others work for furniture manufacturers, timber yards, sawmills, and construction and shopfitting companies. Opportunities for wood machinists are generally increasing.

No particular qualifications are required, but some employers prefer to recruit people with GCSEs/S grades (A-E/1-5), or equivalent qualifications. Adult entry is possible.

There are different entry routes and training methods. Most employers recruit people onto Apprenticeships, but it is possible to become a trainee with an employer, or to do a full-time college course.

Wood machinists are generally trained on the job, possibly with some study at college. All entrants receive training in health and safety procedures.

With experience, a wood machinist may become a supervisor or manager, move into a specialist area, train or teach other wood machinists, or set up their own business.

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