Opportunities for apprentice cabinet makers growing
Opportunities for getting work as an apprentice cabinet maker have risen significantly as the government supports employers to take on apprentices in the high-demand housing and construction services industry.
Cabinet makers are in demand because interior installations including kitchen benchtops, bathroom and kitchen cabinetry, and built in wardrobes are increasingly needed for:
- new home builds which are on the rise nationwide, especially in Auckland due to an increasing population
- leaky home repairs
- renovating homes that have been affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes in Kaikōura, flooding in Bay of Plenty, and the Canterbury earthquakes rebuild
- upgrading existing homes, especially kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.
According to the Census, 2,502 cabinet makers worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship
Ways to increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship include:
- doing a Gateway programme to gain units in cabinet making while at school
- demonstrating your craft skills and your attention to detail
- being committed, reliable and having good time management
- talking to your school career adviser about prospective apprenticeships
- having some building or building pre-trades experience
Opportunities for experienced cabinet makers particularly good
Job opportunities for experienced cabinet makers are particularly good. Many are setting up specialist kitchen manufacturing companies to meet the demand for kitchen cabinetry, including custom made kitchens.
Types of employers
Cabinet makers work for:
- large furniture manufacturing plants
- small specialist furniture businesses.
Many cabinet makers are self-employed.
