Meet George, 22, and find out about life as a wheelwright (a craft woodworker) in Devon. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
George:
Hi, I'm George, I'm 22 years old, and I'm a wheelwright.
I'm a local lad, and I've known Mike Rowland and Son Wheelwright and Coachbuilders for quite a while. I came over here off the school bus, asking for work experience. The owner, Greg, gave me the opportunity to work here for a week and, from then on, I started working weekends and school holidays, and I really found a love for working with wood.
I then went on to get a placement at my local college, studying bench joinery. After that, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to get funding from the government to run alongside my joinery apprenticeship, a wheelwrighting apprenticeship.
After completing my apprenticeship, I'm happy to say that I've been working as a full-time wheelwright for the last three years.
Wheelwrighting is a traditional trade, where we make wooden wheels for vehicles such as carriages, cannons, and old farm wagons. Every day's a learning day here at the workshop; you're never doing the same thing.
Working with Greg and Mike is great because you can use all their knowledge in the wood industry. I'm really proud to be working with this company as it's got such a long history, dating all the way back to 1331.
George's colleague:
Well George has brought a youthful kind of exuberance to the company, and a sort of new direction. We reckon heritage industry, where our trade has become relevant in today's world, and bringing somebody of George's age in, with his enthusiasm, has helped us accomplish that.
George:
I really didn't expect to end up in this line of work, but I'm so glad I have because I do really love it. I'm looking forward to the future, as I plan to open up my own business one day.
Every day's a learning day here at the workshop. You're never doing the same thing.
- George handcrafts wheels out of wood for things like carriages and canons
- George enjoyed Design and Technology at school and wanted a job that involved working with his hands
- He started his job as an apprenticeship at the company he now works for.
In George's job, he uses traditional craft skills to make wheels from wood. Craft woodworking jobs can also include making and restoring items made from wood, such as furniture.
What to expect if you want to be a craft woodworker
- Craft woodworker salary: £20,000 to £28,000 per year
- Craft woodworker working hours: 42 to 44 hours per week
What qualifications do you need if you want to be a craft woodworker?
You could get into this role via a college course (such as a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma, or a T-level - England-only), an apprenticeship, or applying directly if you have relevant experience.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, GOV.UK
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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