The Worshipful Company of Turners

Supporting the Craft, City and Charity for over four hundred years

The Company offers two tiers of qualification, the Certificate and the Diploma. Turners need a level of competence before they start on the Certificate, whilst more advanced skills are needed before embarking on the Diploma.

Certificate

The qualification is in six training units, examined by multiple-choice questions and a practical assessment:

C101 Workshop safe working practices
C102 Tools and equipment – maintenance
C103 Wood technology
C104 Spindle work
C105 Faceplate work
C106 Finishing

The candidate keeps a logbook throughout. At the end, it is verified by the Worshipful Company of Turners, and, if successful, the candidate is awarded the Company’s ‘Certificate in Woodturning’.

How do I start?

The Certificate is delivered through accredited centres. Some are colleges who offer it as part of a wider qualification in say furniture making. Others are turning centres where you can do the course over four weekends, or they may offer it through a leisure evening/day course, which meets say once a week. The centre is responsible for organising the courses. Contact the Company first (Becca Baker assistantclerk@turnersco.com) to find out where the best place is for you.

The Company does help the centres financially when they deliver courses, and, if you are a member, the AWGB does as well; but there will be a cost to yourself of at least £250.

Please check the following centres to see where courses are currently being delivered:

Building Crafts College (you need to enroll at the college to access the course here)

Shawsburn Studio, Glasgow

Max Carey, Portishead

Ryecotewood College, Oxford

Blackhorse Workshop, Walthamstow, London

Woodturning Hartlepool


Diploma

This more advanced qualification has five units.
D201 Entry Certificate (not required for candidates who already hold the Certificate in Turning)
D202 Spindle Work and Hollow Form
D203 Faceplate Work Bowls and Platters
D204 Specialist Projects
D205 Design

The Diploma is aimed at candidates with substantial experience and good range of skill in the craft of woodturning. Candidates work through the award at their own pace carrying out tasks at their own workshop with no time restraints to complete, presenting the evidence to an appointed assessor.
Candidates may require additional training for a specific technique they would organise themselves with a specialist trainer.

How do I start?

Candidates need to request an application form with the Company (Becca Baker assistantclerk@turnersco.org).
There is a registration fee of £70 for each unit, which is the cost of the assessment. In addition there would be practical observation at the candidates workshop with a fee of £150 plus any travel expenses.

Helen Bailey and John Dilley completed their diplomas in 2021, here are images of their work.

 

Click here to read the article in Woodturning Magazine

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