Apprenticeship training course

Advanced upholsterer (level 3)

There are 12 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

Information about Advanced upholsterer (level 3)

Make and repair upholstered furniture.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Health, safety and environmental management and risk assessment for example Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAWA), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and manual handling
  • Fabric characteristics, identification and appropriate usage of fabrics
  • How to create templates, lay, cut, prepare and sew fabric components
  • Upholstery frame construction and repair techniques for example jointing, gluing and replacing components
  • Leather faults and how to mark and resolve for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration in leather
  • Upholstery industry specific regulations, legislation and standards, covering flammability regulations, British Standards, CE Marks (Conformité Européenne), Intellectual Property and renewable practices
  • How to realise and manage customer expectations for example statutory rights and responsibilities, consumer rights, lead times, after sales support
  • Basic project management including principles and techniques of good project management
  • Effective communication skills and techniques including verbal, written and physical non-verbal
  • How to manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets for example raw materials
  • Industry materials including fabrics, springs, fillings, frames, linings, trimmings, legs, feet and castors
  • Modern and traditional manufacturing methods for example traditional hand techniques and modern machinery techniques
  • Ergonomic and aesthetic design principles in the upholstery industry
  • Different types of filling materials and when they should be used for example polyurethane foam, synthetic cotton and feathers
  • Modern upholstery techniques including the use of power tools and machinery
  • Modern methods of bespoke furniture production and assembly including stapling, machine sewing
  • History of upholstered furniture and styles, periods and iconic designers of the 20th & 21st Century
  • How to design, bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods
  • Materials, construction methods and product specifications used in modern upholstery, for example boards, springs, spring units, webbing, alternative support systems, fastenings and fabrics
  • Limitations relating to process and end uses and how to identify these
  • How to provide estimates to customers and cost projects
  • Equality and diversity and how this applies in the workplace
  • Conflict management
  • Health, safety and environmental management and risk assessment for example Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAWA), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and manual handling
  • Fabric characteristics, identification and appropriate usage of fabrics
  • How to create templates, lay, cut, prepare and sew fabric components
  • Upholstery frame construction and repair techniques for example jointing, gluing and replacing components
  • Leather faults and how to mark and resolve for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration in leather
  • Upholstery industry specific regulations, legislation and standards, covering flammability regulations, British Standards, CE Marks (Conformité Européenne), Intellectual Property and renewable practices
  • How to realise and manage customer expectations for example statutory rights and responsibilities, consumer rights, lead times, after sales support
  • Basic project management including principles and techniques of good project management
  • Effective communication skills and techniques including verbal, written and physical non-verbal
  • How to manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets for example raw materials
  • Industry materials including fabrics, springs, fillings, frames, linings, trimmings, legs, feet and castors
  • Modern and traditional manufacturing methods for example traditional hand techniques and modern machinery techniques
  • Ergonomic and aesthetic design principles in the upholstery industry
  • Different types of filling materials and when they should be used for example polyurethane foam, synthetic cotton and feathers
  • Styles, periods and iconic designers from pre-20th Century, 20th Century including 1930s art deco through to current trends and history of upholstered furniture, materials and methods
  • Traditional upholstery methods for example hand stitching, tacking and stuffing
  • How to create, renovate or restore furniture pieces for example re-covering or replacement fillings
  • How to strip back old/antique upholstery in order to start the restoration/repair
  • Budgeting, including providing customer estimates and costing projects
  • How to finish show wood frames for example French polishing

  Skills

  • Work safely at all times
  • Prepare and sew fabric components using advanced methods for example fluting, float, deep-buttoning and other decorative detailing
  • Create templates, lay and cut fabric components
  • Evaluate upholstery frames and repair as required
  • Identify, mark and resolve faults in leather for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration
  • Quality assure upholstery products to meet relevant industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
  • Realise and manage customer expectations
  • Apply basic project management techniques
  • Apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills
  • Manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets including materials, components and time
  • Define materials, construction methods and product specifications for furniture to be produced
  • Select and fix different types of filling materials for example natural and manmade fillings
  • Select and apply materials for suspensions including springs, sprung units, suspension systems and webbing
  • Upholster products using advanced modern methods for example stapling, machine sewing
  • Use power tools and machinery to upholster products for example CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) cutting machinery and staple guns
  • Produce & assemble bespoke pieces of furniture using modern methods
  • Design and create bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods
  • Define manufacturing processes for furniture to be produced
  • Set timescales and costings for furniture to be produced
  • Provide accurate estimates to customers
  • Manage self and others to achieve objectives and lead teams by providing directions, instructions and guidance
  • Apply coaching, mentoring and team development techniques such as the GROW model (Goal, Current Reality, Options (or Obstacles) Will (or Way Forward) and apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts
  • Apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts
  • Work safely at all times
  • Prepare and sew fabric components using advanced methods for example fluting, float, deep-buttoning and other decorative detailing
  • Create templates, lay and cut fabric components
  • Evaluate upholstery frames and repair as required
  • Identify, mark and resolve faults in leather for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration
  • Quality assure upholstery products to meet relevant industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
  • Realise and manage customer expectations
  • Apply basic project management techniques
  • Apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills
  • Manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets including materials, components and time
  • Define materials, construction methods and product specifications for furniture to be produced
  • Select and fix different types of filling materials for example natural and manmade fillings
  • Select and apply materials for suspensions including springs, sprung units, suspension systems and webbing
  • Upholster products using traditional materials and methods such as using materials like coil springs (post-1850), animal hair (horse, hog and cow), coir, fibres, hessians, linen scrims, wadding by hand, building each layer up
  • Apply traditional upholstery techniques, for example hand stuffing, hand stitching and tacking in order to renovate/restore furniture pieces
  • Apply traditional upholstery materials and fabrics for example hessian and linen to repair antique/old furniture
  • Strip back upholstery to frames using appropriate tools and methods
  • Provide accurate estimates to customers
  • Identify the process to finish / repair show wood frames

  Behaviours

  • Have a safety-first attitude, ensuring the safety of self and others as appropriate
  • Is customer focused, demonstrate behaviour that puts the customer first
  • Commit to achieving and maintaining upholstery quality standards and efficiently rates
  • Has a calm and reasonable approach when completing upholstery tasks
  • Approaches each task with enthusiasm and demonstrates a high level of motivation and resilience when facing challenges
  • Thorough and accurate when accomplishing upholstery tasks
  • Adheres to company values
  • Be reflective on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seek opportunities to develop and advance skills in response to the evolving manufacturing environment and technologies
  • Demonstrate confidence in your ability and enthusiasm as an upholsterer
  • Have a safety-first attitude, ensuring the safety of self and others as appropriate
  • Is customer focused, demonstrate behaviour that puts the customer first
  • Commit to achieving and maintaining upholstery quality standards and efficiently rates
  • Has a calm and reasonable approach when completing upholstery tasks
  • Approaches each task with enthusiasm and demonstrates a high level of motivation and resilience when facing challenges
  • Thorough and accurate when accomplishing upholstery tasks
  • Adheres to company values
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Engineering and manufacturing
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 24 months
• Maximum funding: £10,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Upholsterer
  • Traditional Upholsterer
  • Furniture Upholsterer
  • Upholstery Technician
  • Automotive Upholsterer
  • Marine Upholsterer
  • Development Upholsterer

View more information about Advanced upholsterer (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.