Jobs & Careers

[ByronBlack]

I know we have a few 'pros' on here doing built-ins and kitchen fitting etc. But i would love to know is what is the way to get a job as a cabinet maker or bench joiner without any previous experience? I've looked and looked on many of the jobsites and agencies and can't find a single employer who is willing to take on a trainee (me) even at minimum wage.

Is the wood-working industry so closed, that the only route is self-employment? And if so, what do the forum members here do for a living with regards wood working?

I've been raking my brains for the best part of a year and a half of what to do for a career and despite looking into a number of training courses and degrees, I keep coming back to woodworking or something 'crafty'

I hate working in an office, or with computers (despite running a web design agency for 3 years) and i'm desperate to get into a workshop environment...

any idea's, suggestions, tales of woe and hope?

 

[wizer]

i'm in the same boat Byron, stuck in a really deep rut and want to get out of it desperately. Like you I have racked my brains about what I want to do with my life and in terms of employment (got plenty of business ideas, but lack of funding) it looks like i'm going to have to give in and stick in the IT industry. Too much risk attatched to re-training, what with a wedding getting nearer and the thought of loosing my house is too much.

There have been lenghty discussions on this forum about the viability of changing to WW as a career, might be worth a search.

 

[Roger]

The opportunities are there - but it usually means a move, drastic drop in earnings to start with and a total life change. Some firms will take you on, but not as a Trainee most of the time. It means starting at the bottom, sweeping the floor, stacking wood, making coffee etc. before you're allowed near a machine. The money isn't there for them to spend the time to train you on an apprentice basis.

They want to know you're there to stay and for a long term career. Some will take on apprentices but they are quite rare I must admit. Ben Dawson (Scotland) is always looking but I doubt you'd want to uproot to that extent!

I would suggest to keep plugging away, approaching the firms in your area. Kitchen fitters may want some help with the grunt work to start, or you can start making smaller pieces and work the Craft Fairs. You'll get an idea of what sells and for how much and also meet people in that field and maybe earn some extra money.

Self employment is a big step and a big risk doing it cold and you have to have a lot behind you to start.

 

[superunknown]

I work as a full time cabinet maker and I recommend it I would say that employers would go for experience over qualifications, so start out doing any related jobs you can find to get a foot in the door.

I am sure employers would look at the experience gained with any wood working done as a hobby or part time. If you are competent and enthusiastic you would stand a very good chance.

In the company I used to work for I have seen them employ people as cabinet makers who have no clue how to even sharpen a chisel or plane.

There is very good money to be earned in the right job for the right person.

Good luck!

 

[Roger]

I should say Byron ....... if it is what you want, don't let anything get in your way! Go for it and try everything to gain the experience and/or employment. It took me two continents, a lot of pain and a chunk of money, but I got there eventually!

Best of luck with the goal

 

[orangetlh]

I work for a bespoke furniture and kitchen maker, i would recomend going about it the way i did and just knock on their doors. Our company has never advertised for skilled workers, its either on a know someone who knows somone basis or people just walking in asking for work. We have only ever turned one away as he had a pretty bad attitude, but we know that its harder and harder not only to get skilled people but people who are willing to learn and make a go of it, so we will always try someone out wether the work is sufficient for them to be there or not.

 

[ByronBlack]

Looks like i'll be moving to the forest of dean then

Orangeth, is it worth me making a few small items to take along to prove my ability? Or could I offer my services for free for a few days, is this something that a company would consider - i'm thinking there could be insurance issues.. hmm, so much to think about

 

[DomValente]

Byron,

Yes I believe if you offered your services to a small company they would try you for a week or two, there are many one man bands, such as myself and we do employ but as is the case at present we employ for two or three weeks and then lay off until the next big job. I on average have nine months of very busy interspersed with three months of smaller work in which I don't need any assistance and cannot afford to keep on full time workers.

Best of luck

 

[orangetlh]

hey Byron, I dont think any small company is going to turn down the offer of free labour for a few days, even if you just watched what was going on. Not sure about the insurance, theres probably some way around it. Like i said with the current skills situation no company should turn you down, even if they just keep your details. I would take a few photos of your work in though, that should impress them. We had a guy working for us before I started who had no formal qualifications, but was one of the best joiners they had. Its all down to how willingness to learn and how fast you pick things up.

 

[Roger]

A pity you're not up in the wild and woolly North bits Byron :?

 

[ByronBlack]

Ploget - are you looking for staff then?

 

[dennyk]

Byron
I know by reading your post about building your shed that you are willing to have a go, all I can say is going from my own experience, to give you an idea, I changed careers in 1958 from being a chef (posh name for a cook) the reason being that my first child was born in December 1957, I found that to keep my family in a reasonable lifestyle without getting into debt, I had to make a career change,
I found a shop fitting firm who had an opening for a Joiners mate/ labourer, the money was about 2 shillings an hour (10p in todays currency) more than I was earning as a cook, it was a hard two and a half years before I was made an improver at the age of 27, I then progressed and in another 12 months I had my Joiners ticket, I made good money in the 1960's, average wage about £75.00 per week take home pay, it meant travelling all over England ,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, I went werever the the work was , the only job I ever turned down was to work on the Barbican in London, My advice, if you really want get on is take the risk and be prepared to graft hard and show the employer that you are prepared to work to HIS advantage,and prove to him that you are not afraid of hard work, keep your eyes and ears open and to learn from those willing to teach you, I did and never regretted it

I am now aged 73 and if i was fit enough I could earn £1000.00 per week without any problem

 

[Roger]

I'm not not right now unfortunately, but I see wanted notices and jobs advertised every week. Some are naturally looking for time served, but others are simply wanting some experience and the desire to work!

 

[ByronBlack]

If I start to look around in the right placed down here, maybe i'll be able to find something - the plan is to get the workshop complete, make some portfolio pieces and then start trawling around and offering my services, surely it would just be a matter of time before someone would give me ago

 

[Roger]

Just for interest's sake, have a look at Ben Dawson here and put in your CV / Resume ........ Ben Dawson you never know

 

[ByronBlack]

Cheers Roger - I'l definitly do that!

 

[woodbloke]

I came out of teaching about 8 years ago having been one of the last trained 'woodwork teachers' of the old school, although by the time I left my job title had changed umpteen times. I had been doing woodwork for about 25 years and thought I was reasonably proficient. I went knocking on doors and doing the rounds of the local cabinet shops and got taken on by a local firm who were desperately short of people. My experience as an amateur woodworker in no way prepared me for the cut throat world of proffesional cabinet making, where time, in both the companies I eventually worked for, producing top class work for the London market, was the absolute yardstick (apart from turning out a cracking piece of work). Make the piece in the allotted hours or under and the beers are on you Friday lunchtime - make it in a few hours over and its a quiet word in the office on Friday lunchtime. In my experience the world of professional cabinet making is a universe removed from taking whisper thin shavings of fine timber, resharpening the plane then a little scraping followed by some light sanding as the amateur might do - its get out the belt sander, then the orbital/random sanders with finer papers and then a quick go over with a bit of 320g by hand to finish. I may tend to exagerate slightly, hand tools are used a lot, but if the machine can do it quicker, then that's the way forward. I went into the trade with visions of curly shavings piling up round my feet and was rapidly brought down to earth in a swirling cloud of mdf dust from the router I used most days. In addition there are a whole range of techniques to completely relearn in order to do the job quicker, so I found it was pretty much a case of starting again from square one. Think carefully - Rob

 

[ByronBlack]

Hi Rob

Thanks for the headsup, and to be honest even what you have said doesnt deter me, I love a challenge, and using machinery wouldn't phase me either. My missus came home today with a printout of a joinery firm who are apparently looking for staff, so fingers crossed there might something going.

It's a 7.30 start though!!! Agh!

 

[Roger]

I'll second you on that description Rob. There's a certain place in Yorkshire where they all work in shorts becuase of the 'heat' and pace of the work

A couple of graduates from one of the best Furniture Schools lasted a bare 3 weeks due to the stress of the 'real world' presures :shock:

Probably one of the best reasons to work for yourself and in a chosen specialty if possible

 

[wizer]

Good Luck Byron, Is it local?