Carpentry & Joinery Apprentice - Level 2
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest Or Natural Beauty · Altrincham · posted 27 July 2026
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Our Specialist Craft Centres have been created to develop a skilled workforce for the National Trust which demonstrates the highest levels of skills, promotes and preserves heritage building crafts, inspires people to take up traditional crafts skills and helps us to repair and conserve our special places, for everyone, for ever. We own and care for one of the largest, most varied and most significant collections of built structures in Europe. The greatest proportion of our 28,500 buildings and structures were constructed pre-1919 and these have high heritage value, with a range of uses – from offices to workshops, mansions to cottages. Our crafts people are an integral part of looking after our assets, using their skills to conserve and maintain our buildings and structures, and being part of creating a lasting legacy.
Based at our traditional Specialist Craft Centre near Dunham Massey, you’ll be part of a team producing specialist joinery for historic places across the North region. This workshop plays a key role in caring for some of the area’s most significant heritage buildings, giving you the chance to work in settings rich with history and character.
You’ll also work across a range of National Trust properties in Cheshire and the wider North. Every building is unique, which means no two jobs are ever the same. You’ll learn something new on every project and develop a wide range of joinery and carpentry techniques to meet the varied challenges that come with conserving centuries old structures.
From creating finely detailed timber components and bespoke architectural joinery to carrying out sensitive conservation repairs on much loved properties, your work will help protect these remarkable places for generations to come.
Your training
Your training will be based at a specialist college and be delivered via a combination of day release and online learning, with all college expenses and travel paid. There will also be opportunities to travel to other National Trust locations with some overnight stays to expand your learning and experience. You will also be able to join other training events and learn from industry colleagues internally and externally.
Where it leads
This role will lead to level 3 Craft Carpentry & Joinery apprenticeship followed by a 12 months’ work placement.
About The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest Or Natural Beauty
We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after hundreds of houses and close to a million objects, along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference.
Things to consider
- A minimum of 2 GCSEs including English and maths at grade E/2, Functional Skills Level 1 or equivalent (If you hold an EHCP, Entry Level 3 in English and maths is acceptable)
- Aged 16 or over and have completed Year 11
- Not in full‑time education
- Have the right to work in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the past three consecutive years
- Not currently on any other training or education programme (e.g. another apprenticeship or a degree)
- Able to travel to the work location
Skills they're looking for
Entry requirements
- GCSE English (grade E/2) — essential
- GCSE Maths (grade E/2) — essential
Where you'll work
- Altrincham Regional Office, Stamford Estates, Altrincham, WA14 1PH