General Furniture Manufacturer Apprenticeship Course

Furniture Manufacturers are skilled craftsmen/women, who make pieces of furniture. They may work in a small, independent shop that produces custom furniture or in a factory that mass-produces pieces.

They will manufacture furniture such as:

• Domestic – kitchens, bedrooms, living room and other items for the home
• Office - desk, seating, tables and other items for the office environment
• Contract - furniture for public areas such as hospitals, schools, hotels and airports
• Manufacture of high quality wooden components.

 

Skills, interests and qualities

• Practical skills for using hand and machine tools

• The ability to understand, draft or adapt designs and technical drawings

• The ability to work out quantities, measurements and costs

• Patience, accuracy and attention to detail

• Good customer service skills

• Business skills if you are thinking about becoming self-employed.

 

What training will I receive?

As an Apprentice Furniture Manufacturer, you will be following a comprehensive training programme, which offers t raining in a variety of skills in the manufacture of assembled furniture.

The training covers the use of relevant tools and equipment, from hand and power tools, to a range of machinery and equipment used for cutting, shaping and may also cover the making of  components to specifications - learning how to do cut materials and make joints, assembly, learning how to select appropriate veneers and laminates and applying stains and finishes.

You may also cover measurements, sanding materials for preparation, carrying out edge-banding processes, applying glues, f ittings and safe handling and storage of materials.

 

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 at least three of the following requirements:

• Machinery, tools and equipment
• Components
• Cutting
• Joints
• Veneers and laminates
• Assembly
• Finishing

Plus - Three additional requirements chosen by the employer from the following:

• Measure and mark out, Sanding, Cramping, Fittings, Gluing, Jigs and Templates, Edge Banding, Safe Handling and Storage

Plus improving Functional Skills in English and Maths (where appropriate)

 

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

 

Progression opportunities

The progression upon completing the Level 2 apprenticeship standard could see the learner undertake a Level 3 course in design and supervision, or further develop their woodworking skills by taking an advanced Level 3 wood machining course.

 

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

The programme is designed to give a wide range of skills appropriate to the different occupations in the industry. This apprenticeship covers the following occupational areas:

Each apprentice will take the occupational route that is best suited to the business they work in. They 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.

 

Optional Requirements

Each business, depending on size, market position and skills needs, will require a different combination of the optional requirements detailed within each occupational area. This apprenticeship is designed to allow the business and the apprentice to agree which of these options are most valuable to the apprentice and organisation.

In order to ensure sufficient flexibility to meet the needs of the industry whilst maintaining the rigour of every single apprenticeship within it, Furniture Manufacturers will need to undertake six of the following requirements, at least three must be Group A.

 

Group A	WHAT IS REQUIRED
Machinery, Tools and Equipment	Set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce furniture. Understand tools and equipment used.
Components	Make components of furniture to specification within acceptable tolerances. Understand how and where components are used.
Cutting	Use appropriate equipment to cut materials within acceptable tolerances.
Joints	Understand the principles of joints used in making hand-crafted furniture.
Veneers and Laminates	Select, prepare and apply veneers to items of furniture.
Assembly	Assemble components of furniture. Understand the sequence of assembly and why this is important.
Finishing	Apply stains, sealers, basecoats and finishes to production furniture.

 

 

Group B	WHAT IS REQUIRED
Measure and Mark Out	Measure and mark out materials to specification.
Sanding	Sand materials for preparation prior to assembly, post-assembly and de-nibbing. Understand grit sizes and the process of sanding.
Cramping	Position components and apply cramps to ensure products are positioned securely to specification.
Fittings	Prepare and assemble components to specification, finishing and checking the assembly conforms to specifications.
Gluing	Apply adhesives to components. Understand types, methods and processes involved in gluing.
Jigs and Templates	Use and maintain jigs and templates for furniture production. Jigs are used to ensure repeatability and accuracy in the production of furniture. These can be hand held or mounted on workbenches.
Edge Banding	Carry out edge-banding process following standard operating procedures. Edge banding is the process of applying a trim or edge to the piece of  furniture to make it neat and aesthetically pleasing.
Electrical / Mechanical Fittings	Fit mechanical or electrical components to furniture.
Rectification / Rework	Carry out rectification or rework. This includes assessing and repairing items.
Safe Handling and Storage	Pack and store products and components following standard operating procedures. Understand and follow procedures for safe handling of products.

 

 

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.