12-Week Joinery and Digital Manufacturing Programme
Combining traditional woodworking with CAD, CNC routing and 3D printing
The Joinery Hub Glasgow is currently developing this proposed 12-week programme with community partners, referral organisations and potential funders. Programme dates, participant numbers, eligibility criteria and delivery arrangements will depend on funding, insurance, staffing and partnership agreements.
View the 12-Week Course Plan
View our illustrated programme overview online or download a PDF copy showing the proposed weekly journey, practical projects and skills participants can develop.
Programme Overview
The proposed programme will provide a structured, hands-on introduction to traditional joinery and modern digital manufacturing. Participants will work through practical activities designed to build confidence, safe workshop habits, technical understanding and transferable employability skills.
Training is intended to take place within our Glasgow workshop, using joinery benches, hand tools, selected power tools, CNC equipment, computer-aided design software and 3D-printing technology.
The final programme timetable, daily hours and level of technical content will be adjusted according to the participant group, available resources and agreed referral arrangements.
Who the Programme Is Intended For
Young Practical Learners
Young people who may benefit from a practical alternative or complement to traditional classroom-based learning.
Adults Facing Barriers
Adults experiencing unemployment, low confidence, social isolation or limited access to practical training opportunities.
Employability Referrals
Participants referred by employability services, charities, housing associations and community support organisations.
People Exploring New Skills
Individuals interested in understanding woodworking, joinery, CAD, CNC machining or digital manufacturing pathways.
Proposed Programme Structure and Curriculum
The following outline shows the proposed progression through the programme. Activities may be adapted to match participant ability, support needs, available equipment and agreed learning outcomes.
Weeks 1–3: Bench Joinery Foundations
- Workshop induction, safety awareness and PPE
- Understanding timber types, properties and selection
- Measuring, marking and reading simple drawings
- Using chisels, planes, saws and basic hand tools
- Cutting introductory traditional woodworking joints
- Maintaining a clean and organised workspace
Weeks 4–6: Tools, Assembly and Construction
- Safe introduction to selected power and bench tools
- Material preparation, sanding and surface finishing
- Assembly, gluing and clamping techniques
- Understanding fixings, adhesives and joint selection
- Building a small timber product or furniture component
- Checking dimensions and correcting minor inaccuracies
Weeks 7–9: Digital Design and Manufacturing
- Introduction to computer-aided design
- Basic modelling using Autodesk Fusion
- Drawing and toolpath preparation using VCarve Pro
- Understanding CNC safety and machine preparation
- CNC router setup, zeroing and supervised operation
- Introduction to 3D printing and digital prototyping
Weeks 10–12: Final Practical Project
- Planning an individual or small-group project
- Preparing drawings, materials and work stages
- Combining traditional and digital processes
- Assembly, finishing and quality checking
- Photographing work for a personal project portfolio
- Reviewing progress, skills and possible next steps
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants may have developed experience in some or all of the following areas:
- Working safely within a practical workshop environment
- Identifying and using common hand tools appropriately
- Measuring, marking and following basic project drawings
- Understanding timber selection and material preparation
- Completing basic joinery, assembly and finishing tasks
- Understanding the principles of CAD and digital manufacturing
- Creating introductory CNC toolpaths under supervision
- Recognising how 3D printing can support practical projects
- Developing communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills
- Building confidence through completing tangible practical work
Employability and Workplace Skills
The programme is intended to support more than technical development. Participants will also be encouraged to practise the wider skills and behaviours expected within a workplace.
Reliability
Attendance, punctuality, preparation and completing agreed tasks.
Communication
Listening to instructions, asking questions and explaining progress clearly.
Teamwork
Sharing a workspace, supporting others and contributing to group projects.
Quality and Responsibility
Checking work, caring for equipment and taking responsibility for safe working.
What We Aim to Provide
- Workshop induction: Clear instruction on workshop rules, hazards and safe working.
- Appropriate PPE: Suitable eye, hearing and respiratory protection for planned activities, subject to final programme arrangements.
- Tools and equipment: Supervised access to appropriate joinery tools, CNC machinery, design software and 3D printers.
- Practical materials: Timber, fixings and other materials required for agreed programme projects, subject to available funding.
- Structured guidance: Clear demonstrations, staged practical tasks and support appropriate to each participant group.
- Project evidence: Opportunities to photograph completed work and record practical achievements.
Safety, Support and Accessibility
Workshop activities will be subject to appropriate risk assessment, supervision, induction and safe systems of work. Access to machinery will depend on participant readiness, the activity being completed and the level of supervision available.
We aim to work with referral partners before placement begins to understand support requirements, reasonable adjustments and any relevant information needed to support safe participation.
Final eligibility, safeguarding, insurance, staffing and consent arrangements will be confirmed before any funded programme begins.
Our safeguarding, health and safety, equality and diversity, data protection and workshop risk-management policies are available for participants, referral organisations, partners and funders to view.
View Our Policies & ProceduresAttendance and Programme Completion
Regular attendance will be important because each stage of the programme builds on earlier learning. Referral partners may be asked to support communication and attendance where appropriate.
Progress may be recorded through attendance, completed practical tasks, participant feedback, tutor observations, project photographs and an end-of-programme review.
Any certificate or record of completion will reflect participation and practical achievements. The programme is not currently presented as a formally accredited qualification unless a future accredited delivery partnership is established.
Are You a Referral Partner or Support Organisation?
We welcome conversations with charities, housing associations, employability services, schools, colleges, community organisations and other support bodies interested in programme development, participant referrals or funding partnerships.
Please contact us to discuss participant needs, potential cohort sizes, support arrangements, proposed outcomes and future availability.
Discuss Referrals and Partnerships
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