Changing careers at any point in life can be both exciting and unnerving. Everyone will have their own reasons and motivations for changing careers, be it job satisfaction, security, money, changes in circumstances, or just wanting a new challenge. 

For anyone wanting to move towards a more hands-on profession, a career in the trades could be an appealing route. With construction still facing major skills shortages, just about all trades are in high demand right now, offering good jobs and earning opportunities for those who can fill these gaps.

In terms of carpentry specifically, the SME State of Trade Survey report published in September 2025, carried out by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), found that 33% of firms say that carpenters are actually the tradespeople they are finding it hardest to recruit.

What barriers might there be to pursuing a career in carpentry?

When it comes to pursuing a career in construction, it’s a common misconception that an apprenticeship is the only real way to break into the industry. This can put off a lot of people thinking of a switch later on in life, for whom an apprenticeship would simply be unfeasible. 

Another big hurdle, especially for those with commitments like childcare, or mortgage and rent payments, is the time needed to complete training, and the loss of earnings that this might lead to. 

Is it possible to retrain in carpentry in your 30s, 40s, 50s or later?

The good news is that a career in carpentry is definitely achievable, whatever stage of life you’re at, if you're committed to getting training and gaining relevant experience. While traditional training pathways like apprenticeships might be off the cards, other methods like part-time college courses and private construction training providers are great alternatives. 

While it does come with an up-front cost, completing your carpentry training with a private provider is the most efficient way of going from a complete beginner to a fully qualified carpenter ready to find work. In fact, an NVQ Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery course can be completed in as little as 10 weeks. 

There is also the option to spread this training package out further, completing it on a part-time, weekend basis, helping you to reduce any impact it might have on your current job and earnings. Likewise, any costs involved with the training can also be broken down into smaller, more manageable pay-as-you-train payments. 

How much can carpenters earn?

According to Indeed’s latest data, the average base salary for a carpenter in the UK is £47,878, with this figure rising to 49,618 for a carpentry supervisor. For carpentry assistants, which can be a handy way of gaining on-the-job experience, the average annual UK salary currently sits around £24,420. 

Given its balance of high job demand, earning potential and progression opportunities, carpentry is certainly a sector worth exploring for anyone in search of a physical, rewarding profession. For those aiming to go from beginner to obtaining industry-recognised qualifications as quickly as possible, we recommend the NVQ Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery course.