I’d love to work for a timber framer
If you want to be a carpenter you need to be able to do more than just knock boxes together. Timber frame erection is hard work which should pay reasonable money, but it’s fairly low skill. If you want to learn how to second fix then a timber frame company isn’t going to be much help to you. I have done erections and second fix on the same site, but that was only because the main contractor wasn’t subbing any carpentry work out – which is extremely usual.
I’m afraid that now is a very bad time to try to get into the industry. It’s hard enough for skilled tradesmen to get a start, so I don’t reckon the chances of anyone getting an apprenticeship very highly.
Besides, employers prefer to take on fully trained eastern European labour than teach young unemployed British school-leavers.
Sorry to sound so grim but the situation is dire. And with the social housing budget slashed by 60%, the freezing of all school building, the slashing of other capital projects, low mortgage availability because of job insecurity and unemployment, things can only get worse – expect very little activity in construction until at least well pass the next general election.
But if you are still determined (and there’s no evidence other sectors will fare much better) then good luck. And let us know if you manage to get a breakthrough.