Joiners and wood machinists are responsible for manufacturing and assembling the woodwork in a building, such as doors, door and window frames, counters and built-in cupboards.
Joiners spend a lot of time in workshops working with machine and hand tools. They design, manufacture and assemble wooden components according to needs and specifications. They are involved in the final finishing of a building as the wooden components are usually the last items to be installed.
They erect panels and picture rails, make built-in cupboards and install carved ornamental woodwork. Work proceeds according to sketches made by draughtsmen or architects.
A joiner may decide on the type of wood required and marks off, saws and joins the pieces together. As soon as the walls are high enough to support doors and window frames they are built into openings left for this purpose by the bricklayer. After the frames have been installed the carpenter fits the doors. The fitting of locks and bolts completes the work.
They may also be required to lay wood and block flooring. They sometimes fit kitchen dressers to walls and do repairs to damaged woodwork in buildings.
Working conditions are normally not very dirty or noisy. They are frequently required to work on ladders or scaffolding, and in this respect as well in the handling of tools, they are required to adhere strictly to safety precautions. Overtime may sometimes be required.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with one's hands
- working as part of a team
- a variety of work tasks and locations
- the opportunity to become self-employed
- a relatively clean work setting
- the satisfaction of applying good workmanship to the finishing of an article
Demanding aspects
- the possibility of accidents or injuries on the job
- working long hours or overtime
- having to work in awkward or cramped positions or at great heights
Requirements
A joiner and woodmachinist should:
- be at least 16 years old;
- be practical and work well with your hands;
- have an eye for line, good spatial and form perception;
- work accurately with regard to details, drawings and instructions
- be methodical, neat and accurate worker
- have interest in woodwork
- enjoy working with others
- have good health and strength
- have good eye-hand coordination
School Subjects
Grade 9 Certificate.
Grade 10 Certificate or N1 is recommended.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mathematics, Engineering and Technology
Training
Register with an employer providing suitable training. Training should comply with the Production Performance Criteria of BIFSA.
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:
1. An apprenticeship is a 4-year contract between company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level.
2. A learnership is a structured learning programme that leads to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets on-the-job experience whilst training.
3. FET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (this NCV) similar to the
new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
Employer
- private building contractors
- construction companies
- mining industry
- government departments
- self-employment, a skilled and entrepreneurial joiner and wood machinist can start up his own business
Contact
Master Builders South Africa (MBSA)
P O Box 1619
Halfway House, 1685
CMA Office and Conference Park
234 Alexandra Avenue
Midrand
Tel: (011) 205-9000 Fax: (011) 315-1644
www.mbsa.org.za