Wood Products Technician (Level 5 Vocational Training)
A wood products technologist is a specialist in the wood industry who independently performs tasks in the manufacture of furniture and wood products that require complex, creative, and innovative solutions. This program is designed for those interested in woodworking who wish to become master craftsmen or production managers and who want to combine their knowledge of materials with modern technologies.
Duration of Study: A comprehensive curriculum totaling 120 ECTS credits (lasting an average of 2 years).
What exactly do you study and do?
- In-Depth Understanding of Materials: You will learn about the macroscopic and microscopic structure of wood, as well as the drying process. You’ll also gain an understanding of the adhesives, finishing materials, and hardware (fasteners) used in the furniture industry.
- Design and Engineering (CAD/CAM): You will design furniture and wood products and create precise 2D and 3D drawings for them using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and AlphaCAM. In addition, you will learn to write the machining code (NC code) required for CNC machines.
- Production Planning and Management: You will learn to plan and manage work processes in small-scale production, calculate the cost of goods and material costs, prepare process charts, and provide guidance to your teammates.
- Practical Production: You will work with wood and panel materials, apply veneer, and finish components in a real workshop setting. You will also learn to evaluate product quality, identify defects, and correct them.
- Real-world work experience: A full quarter of the program (30 ECTS credits) consists of internships at woodworking or furniture companies, where you’ll gain valuable real-world experience by working as part of a team.
Course Options
There are no specific areas of specialization in the curriculum, but you can choose 18 ECTS credits’ worth of exciting elective courses to broaden your knowledge. For example, you can design and build a completely new product (prototype development), study entrepreneurship, develop your computer skills, or learn professional English or Russian.
Is this field right for you?
- A prerequisite for beginning studies is having completed secondary education.
- This program is a perfect fit for you if you love wood, are willing to work as part of a team, and want to use modern engineering software in addition to hands-on craftwork.
- You can study through on-campus or workplace-based programs, as well as through flexible off-campus (part-time) programs, which are well-suited for studying while balancing work and family life.
Where to next?
The program culminates in a final professional exam, during which you will build a prototype of an actual product and defend its technological and design solutions before a committee. As a graduate, you will be a highly sought-after Level 5 specialist or production manager in the job market, with all the prerequisites for a successful career in the wood and furniture industry.
