Furniture Finishing Apprenticeship Course

Furniture Finisher (Polisher) will prepare and treat a wide range of timbers and man-made boards, using a range of techniques. Items to be finished could range from tables, chairs, lounge suites, cabinets, chests of drawers, kitchen units and shop fittings.

They may also work on fitted items such as staircases, wall panels and doors, and on musical instruments such as pianos. If you love working with wood, this highly skilled job could be perfect for you. Most furniture finishing is done by pressure spray application, but hand polishing & other machine applications can be used.

This is a skilled occupation where you need to be creative, organised, have a good eye for colour and show attention to detail. Apprentices who master this skill, see the finished furniture items come to life.

To be a furniture finisher, you should have a patient approach, good practical skills and also have great customer service skills.

 

Skills, interests and qualities

  • A methodical and patient approach

  • Simple carpentry and other practical skills

  • The ability to calculate quantities and estimate costs

  • Customer service skills

  • The ability to deal with paperwork, especially if self-employed

 

What training will I receive?

As a Furniture Finisher (Polisher) you will be following a comprehensive training programme, which offers training in a variety of skills in the mixing and applying stains and finishes to wooden furniture.

The training covers the use of relevant tools and equipment, using modern and hand spray finishing techniques, and a range of lacquers, stains and colours.

It will also involve the preparation of furniture products for staining and sealing, before moving on to final coating ready for distribution to the customer. You will also cover aspects of health and safety, including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).

 

When do I attend training?

Training can be organised to suit the needs of employers and can consist of attending on a day release once a week, or in week blocks, that will be spread five times throughout the year.

 

What will I get at the end of my programme?

Throughout your training programme, you will need to prove your ability in all the following requirements:

  • Finishing Requirements
  • Prepare furniture for finishing
  • Finishing applications
  • Colour match
  • Decorative & specialist effects

Plus, improving Functional Skills in English and maths (where appropriate).

 

On successful completion you will have achieved the Level 2 Standard in Furniture Finishing

 

Progression opportunities

You could be self-employed or work with a furniture restorer or antique dealer.

You may also find employment with larger firms such as furniture manufacturers or hotel groups. With experience this could lead to progression to a supervisory or management job.

 

How do I apply?

There are several ways to apply:

Contact the recruitment team on 0115 9677771 or write to us at WEBS Training Ltd, The Poplars, Wollaton Road Beeston NG9 2PD

Submit an enquiry via the website Enquiry Form

Email us at info@webstraining.com

 

Details of standard

As an Apprentice Fitted Furniture Installer, you will complete all the core requirements set out below and then the set number of requirements for the chosen route.

 

Core Requirements

As part of the standard you will be required to undertake a number of core requirements around the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of a furniture manufacturer.

These will reflect the sector and the organisation you work covering such things as health & safety, your organisation, industry knowledge, customers, quality standards, maintaining equipment and behaviours expected of you in the work place..

 

Trade Requirements

Furniture Finishers will be able to undertake all of the following requirements.

 

YOU WILL KNOW HOW TO BE ABLE TO

Preparation
Prepare Location Analyse and agree finishing requirements following organisational procedures. A customer can be internal or external to the organisation.
Prepare furniture for finishing Prepare hand crafted or production furniture for finishing this will include sanding, grain brushing, repair, stripping and general surface preparation.
Finishing
Finishing Applications Apply stains, sealers, primers, oils, polishes, varnishes, waxes, lacquers and finishing coats to furniture. Finish furniture by spraying.
Colour Match Identify and carry out basic colour matching to organisational standards.
Decorative & Specialist Effects Create decorative effects or specialist finishes on furniture.

 

 

Maths and English Requirements

For apprentices that have not yet achieved level 2 English and maths, they must achieve Ievel 1 English and maths and take the test for level 2 prior to taking their endpoint assessment.

 

 

PARTNERS & ACCREDITATIONS