Apprentice Joiner

Learning & Skills; Joiner (AR); On-site; USD 22,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working

32 days annual leave + holidays

Training & development

Bike / cycle to work

Job summary

Darlington Borough Council seeks two Apprentice Joiners for a 27‑month fixed‑term within the Housing Building team. You’ll gain hands‑on experience across reactive maintenance, planned maintenance, and voids, learning from experienced tradespeople while delivering high‑quality work.

The apprenticeship includes attendance at the Learning and Skills training centre in Darlington for the Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 standard. Salary in Year 1 starts at £16,577 and rises with age and progression.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at the required grades or Functional Skills Level 2.
• Ability to apply literacy and numeracy skills to percentages and decimals.
• Commitment to high standards of workmanship and customer service.
• Willingness to learn and complete assessments within timescales.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day repairs in occupied properties in Reactive Maintenance.
• Support larger projects in Internal Planned Maintenance (kitchens/bathrooms).
• Help prepare void properties for re-letting and uphold housing standards.

Skills

Literacy

Numeracy

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Functional Skills Level 2

Job description

Apprentice Joiner (Ref: POS000649)

Hours and Pay

Salary £16,577.00 - £25,619.00 pa (% of Craft 2, dependent on age) Salary Band £10,001 to £20,000 Post Type Fixed Term Hours Per Week Full time

Job and Application details

Categories Apprenticeships

Directorate N/A Published Date 10/09/2026 Closing Date 27/09/2026

Darlington Borough Council are seeking to recruit 2 x Apprentice Joiners (27 months fixed-term) to join our commercially focused, successful and growing Housing Building team.

This team maintains domestic Council housing stock and other Council-owned properties, including sheltered housing. Work is delivered across our Reactive Maintenance, Internal Planned Maintenance, and Voids teams, giving you a wide range of hands-on experience.

You will work across different teams as required, supporting the delivery of high-quality work, learning the importance of value for money, and keeping customers and colleagues informed of progress.

Reactive Maintenance Team - You will assist with day-to-day repairs in occupied properties. Mobile technology is used to manage jobs, stock, and health and safety tasks.

Internal Planned Maintenance Team - You will support larger projects such as installing kitchens and bathrooms and assisting with improvement programmes.

Voids Team - You will help prepare empty properties so they can be re-let, bringing them up to the required housing standards.

We take pride in delivering excellent customer service and high levels of customer satisfaction. As an apprentice, you’ll be supported by experienced tradespeople while developing your skills and knowledge in a real working environment.

Apprenticeship Course Information

During this apprenticeship you will be required to attend Learning and Skills training centre in Darlington on a day release basis to undertake the 'Carpentry and Joinery - Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard'.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-courses/joinery-interior-installation/

Eligibility To Access Funding For An Apprenticeship

A UK resident is eligible for funding if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of their apprenticeship and have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) or have obtained pre-settled or settled status under EUSS.

What will I need?

• You must have GCSE's in English and Maths at Grades A to C (Awarded pre 2017) or Grade 9 to 4 (awarded 2017 onwards) or Functional Skills Level 2.
• Ability to apply accurate literacy and numeracy skills to include spelling grammar, punctuation, percentages and decimals.
• Ability to work to a high degree of accuracy with attention to detail
• Good Communication and problem-solving skills
• Commitment to high standards of workmanship and customer service.
• Commitment to own development - willingness to learn and develop new skills and complete all of the required assessments related to the apprenticeship qualification within the set timescales.
• Physical ability to undertake the duties of the role and be comfortable working at heights.
• If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

No previous experience is necessary as full training will be provided; however, you must be committed to achieving the Carpentry & Joinery Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard. Following completion of the Level 2 there may be the opportunity to progress onto the Advanced Carpentry and Joinery Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Working Hours

You will be contracted to 37 hours per week on agreed working pattern of Monday - Thursday 08:00am to 16:00pm and Friday 08:00am to 15:30pm.

Apprenticeship Pay

The Apprentice Joiner post is paid on % Craft 2 Rate and the rate you will be paid is dependent on your age upon commencement in post. The rate of pay will also increase with each year of study.

During Year 1 you would be eligible to receive a salary of £16,577.00. - £25,619.00 per annum (dependent upon your age)

Further Information

For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Person Specification.

For An Informal Discussion About The Role, Please Contact

Stuart Deverell – Void Trade Manager on 07507 756815

or by email [e-mail]

Benefits

The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:

• 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
• Flexible working
• Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
• Staff equality forums
• Green Car Leasing Scheme
• Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
• Physiotherapy service
• Confidential counselling service
• Great wellbeing offer
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
• Local and National retailer discounts
• Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
• Arriva Employee Travel Club

For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/why-work-for-us/

Find out further information about us and what it’s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/

General Information For Applicants

If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on 01325 403217 or [e-mail].

If you are experiencing problems with the NE Jobs website, such as logging in, saving pages, on account queries please fill out the form within the link below.

https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/contactus

All applicant email correspondence will come from [e-mail] and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.

You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.

We are an equal opportunities' employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.