Why study Practical Woodworking?

This course will give you a broad introduction to practical woodworking skills. You will learn the correct use of tools and equipment, and a range of materials, processes and techniques. And, you will be able to read and interpret diagrams, and work safely in a workshop-based setting. You will get to use some creative skills, and plan your activities through to completing a finished product in wood.

The skills you learn in this course will help you move into career areas such as craft, design, engineering and graphics.

Career Pathways

To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:

Art and Design

Communications and Media

Construction

Manufacturing Industries

Performing Arts

Property and Facilities

What do I need to get in?

The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:

• National 3 Design and Technology
• National 3 Practical Craft Skills

What will I study?

In this course you will develop manual dexterity and control skills in a specialist practical craft. You will learn about the correct use of a range of tools, equipment and materials. And, you will learn how to work effectively alongside others in a workshop environment.

In all three units you will develop an appreciation of safe working practices in a workshop setting. And, you will look at environmental issues and good practice in recycling in a woodworking context.

The course has three compulsory units, plus an added value unit that assesses your practical skills. 

Practical Woodworking: Flat-frame Construction (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

• learn how to use woodworking tools
• prepare and produce basic flat-frame woodworking joints and assemblies
• learn to read and follow simple woodworking drawings or diagrams.

Practical Woodworking: Carcase Construction (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

• learn to prepare and produce basic woodworking joints and assemblies suitable for use in carcase construction. This may include working with manufactured board or with frames and panels
• use simple working drawings or diagrams.

Practical Woodworking: Machining and Finishing (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

• learn how to use common machine and power tools
• learn a variety of simple woodworking surface preparations and finishing techniques.

Added Value Unit: Making a Finished Product from Wood (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

• make a wooden product consisting of a minimum of five component parts, preparing these, assembling, fitting, fixing and finishing.

How will I be assessed?

Your teacher or tutor will assess your work on a regular basis throughout the course. Items of work might include:

• practical work – operating machinery or checking tools
• written or oral work – identifying tools in short tests.

You must pass all units plus the added value unit to gain the course qualification.

What can I go on to next?

If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:

• National 5 Practical Woodworking

Further study, training or employment in:

• Art and Design
• Communications and Media
• Construction
• Manufacturing Industries
• Performing Arts
• Property and Facilities

Which jobs are related to this subject?

• Practical Woodworking - Related Careers

Where can my parents find out more?

Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.

They can also read the information leaflet(s):

Nationals in a Nutshell - Practical Woodworking (National 4)