Your new role
About Us:
It takes a whole lot of passion to be at the centre of what makes a house feel like home — and that’s just what we do at DFS. We’re the leading sofa retail specialist in the UK, helping people find a comfy seat on their great quality sofas since 1969.
About the role:
We are seeking a motivated and reliable Apprentice Wood Machinists to join our production team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a career in woodworking and manufacturing at DFS while learning from highly skilled and experienced machinists and gain a recognised qualification -Level 2 Wood machinery Standard STO976
Here’s what we offer:The Highlights
Competitive Pay & Work-Life Balance: With an annual salary of £25,866 per annum and a reliable schedule and weekly pay while training
Piece work after training - an average machinist is earning £16.90 per hour as an example
Working Hours -39 hrs on average on a rotating two-shift pattern:
Morning Shift - Monday to Thursday: 6.00am – 2:00pm , Friday: 6:00am – 1:00pm
Afternoon Shift Monday to Wednesday: 2:00pm–12:00am,Thursday: 2:00pm – 11pm (a 4 day week , and a long weekend
There’s more…
Generous holiday allowance – the time you need to rest and relax and the longer you’re with us, the more time you’ll get.
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave: to give you the time you need to settle in with your new family member.
Discounts: Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family – and savings at big brands like Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and IKEA.
Wellbeing Perks: Access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.
Pension and Savings: Join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes.
Life Assurance & Sick Pay: Peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay.
What you'll be doing:
Learning to operate a variety of woodworking machinery safely and efficiently under supervision.
Assisting skilled machinists with the setup, operation, and maintenance of multiple wood-processing machines.
Following production schedules and quality standards to ensure products meet specifications.
Measuring, cutting, shaping, and preparing timber and wood-based materials.
Carry out routine machine checks and report any faults or maintenance requirements.
Maintaining a clean, organised, and safe working environment.
Adhering to all company health, safety, and quality procedures.
Participating fully in apprenticeship training and workplace learning activities.
Training & Development
Completing a structured apprenticeship programme 15- 18 months delivered by Webbs Training in Nottingham (Day Release)
Receiving practical, hands-on training from experienced wood machinists across a range of woodworking machines and manufacturing processes.
Developing knowledge of machine setup, tooling, maintenance, technical drawings, quality standards, and safe working practices.
Working towards achieving the relevant apprenticeship qualification and industry-recognised certifications.
Our Commitment to Inclusion:
We’re committed to a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and can thrive at work. We celebrate diverse voices, champion inclusion, and support each other through our growing colleague networks. We invest in partnerships that drive change, from introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and supporting Doncaster Pride, to partnering with Carers UK and developing leaders with Diversity in Retail.
We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. So, if your experience doesn't quite match the specification, we'd still really love to hear from you.
(All roles are subject to satisfactory DBS checks.)