Workshops - Craft Operative

Job Description

About the Trust 

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?  

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Join Our Team: Workshop Craft Operative [Joiner/Carpenter] opportunity

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive. 

We’re excited to welcome a new Workshop Craft Operative (Joiner/Carpenter) to our team. This role offers a chance to make a meaningful impact by helping maintain and enhance our beautiful canal network.

Working Hours & Travel

The role will be based from Bradley Workshop, Bradley Lane, Bilston, WV14 8DW 5 days a week. The working hours of the workshop are 07:30 - 16:00 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 on Fridays.

Role overview

As a Workshop Craft Operative your experienced crafts person skills will help to provide excellence in the visitor experience for the Canal & River Trust through efficiently building/supplying complete lock gate and lock gate parts for the entire network in line with safety requirements and heritage standards. This role is vital to enhancing the reputation of the network, whilst protecting its integrity for decades to come. 

To see how our workshops operate:

• Click here(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD5wtd36NHc) ANDhere(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGucbWhD5s8).
• Further information here(https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/engineering/building-lock-gates).

Key responsibilities

• Comply with Canal & River Trust’s Health & Safety policy and defined standards; report incidents, accidents and near misses. Complete point of work risk assessments for non-routine tasks and adjust work methods where appropriate.
• Use carpentry/joinery or fabricator/welder expertise to undertake the manufacture & refurbishment within a timely manner, in accordance with defined standards and agreed programmes. Work outside when required.
• Work within quality assurance protocols, uploading documents digitally where required.
• Operate a variety of machinery, plant, tools, and other equipment in accordance with Canal & River Trust’s safety standards and where appropriate support in-house maintenance.
• Undertake general housekeeping of personal equipment, workshop equipment and workspace ensuring all are maintained to defined standards.
• Timely response to customers’ queries and requirements, including responding to emergencies.
• Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc) is appropriate for the task.
• Assist with the measurement of locks and lock gates to identify correct lock gate measurements for manufacture - you will be working alongside an experienced team of specialists to learn this heritage skill.
• Understand and interpret technical drawings to translate into production.

About You

We’re looking for someone with a solid foundation in carpentry or joinery, as these skills will form the core of your work. While you’ll have the opportunity to learn and develop additional skills along the way, confidence in reading technical drawings, accurate measuring, and creating strong, precise joints is essential. You might come from a general building background or a specialist joinery environment—anywhere that careful measuring, cutting, and joining have become second nature to you.

Skills & Qualifications

• Apprenticeship or equivalent qualification (or experience) e.g. City & Guilds Level III, NVQ Level III in Joinery, Carpentry.
• Experience handling plant/equipment in group A e.g. chainsaw, hand power tools, forklift truck.
• Experience of working within relevant discipline e.g. Joinery, Carpentry.
• Experience of reading technical drawings.
• Experience in CNC manufacturing/operations would be advantageous
• Full Valid UK Driving Licence - you will need to be able to respond across the region and get to where the team need you.

Contact & Application

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.

What We Offer

We offer a starting salary of £28,154 with opportunities for progression. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.

Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits

Our values

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us

Job Details

• Pay Type
• Salary

• Hiring Min Rate
• 28,154 GBP

• Hiring Max Rate
• 28,154 GBP