Job Description

About Carpenter Oak

Carpenter Oak creates award-winning, architecturally inspired timber structures, championing wood, craft, innovation, and sustainable design. Since 1987, we have been crafting bespoke, one-of-a-kind timber frames that stand for generations. As an employee-owned business, 51% owned by our co-owners through a Trust, we believe that shared ownership fosters stronger relationships, better decision-making, and a more meaningful workplace.

Our business is built on four core pillars, our people, our product, a force for good, and success-driven outcomes. We value transparency, wellbeing, and collaboration, and we empower our co-owners to grow, innovate, and take pride in their work. A passion for architecture, craftsmanship, and exceptional design is essential to thrive here.

Position Overview

We are looking for trainee timber frame carpenters to join our team in Devon. Working as a timber framer for Carpenter Oak is more of a vocation than a job. We develop, train and help you build a long term career as a professional traditional timber frame carpenter.

Our work covers the full spectrum of timber builds, from major heritage projects through to exciting contemporary timber engineering schemes; both residential and commercial.

If you want to join a progressive, employee owned business, whilst utilising your carpentry skills and experience on a wide range of build projects, using a variety of materials and methods, then we want to hear from you.

As a trainee, no specific qualifications are required, but any of the following would be useful:

Carpentry qualifications: NVQ, City & Guilds etc. CSCS card, H&S test, First aid, Forklift, Chainsaw, Scaffold towers. Crane & lifting operations: Slinger, Lift Supervisor.

General characteristics and skills:

Enthusiasm, enjoyment for work. Eagerness to learn and develop. Self-motivated Forward-thinking, solutions focused Conscientious and self-responsible Humility, willingness to take instruction Care and attention to detail Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines

Organizational skills and ability:

Good organizational and planning skills Effective communication skills Ability to work in close team and aware of the needs of others High degree of autonomy and ability to work on own initiative.

Craftsmanship:

Focus on quality Exercise care and attention to detail Tidy, productive & efficient

Physical ability:

Physically fit and able Good hand-eye coordination and ability to pick up hand skills Methodical and careful in practice Confidence working at height Willingness to work outdoors, in very challenging conditions, in all weathers

Desirable skills and experience:

Understanding of timber Green woodworking Carpentry experience especially roofing Hands on building experience and site work Interpreting architects details and construction drawings Trigonometry and geometry Use & maintenance of power tools and hand tools

Working Environment:

Based at Carpenter Oak's Yard in Buckfastleigh, near the Abbey. Time spent on site throughout the UK & overseas as required.

Package:

Basis: Full time, permanent. Hours: 40 hours per week. Some weekend work and overtime as required. Some away work as required (typically 20% of the time). Rate of Pay - dependent on experience - 12.60 - 13.73 p/h Uplift of 1.50/hr for local site work. Uplift of 3.00/hr for away work. Salary Exchange Pension scheme. 25 days annual leave + bank holidays. All necessary on the job training, including tickets and qualifications will be provided. Regular training and performance reviews.

Benefits:

Family friendly policies Pension - 3% employer contribution increasing after 5 years and matched to 5%. Increasing each year thereafter. Max 10% Annual co-owner bonus Family friendly social events On-site parking Firewood allowance Cycle to work scheme All travel, food & accommodation provided while away on site. 350 Annual Tool & Equipment allowance. Subsidised personal accident/income protection insurance scheme.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 12.60-13.73 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Canteen Casual dress Company pension Cycle to work scheme Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave On-site parking Referral programme Sabbatical
Work Location: In person