Apprenticeship training course

Furniture making operative (level 2)

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Information about Furniture making operative (level 2)

Make both mass-produced products and individually designed furniture and manufacture the various components needed to produce fitted kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms.

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

  Knowledge

  • The furniture industry function and role of the operative. Responsibilities, limits of role and escalation procedures.
  • Job specifications, technical drawings and technical information.
  • Planning for furniture manufacturing activity, work organisation, resources, materials and time management.
  • Safe systems of work including risk assessments.
  • Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Fire safety. Health and Safety at Work Act. Isolation and emergency stop procedures. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
  • Environment and sustainability regulation, standards and guidance relevant to the occupation and the operative’s responsibilities. Efficient use of resources. Recycling, reuse and safe disposal of waste.
  • Preparation and maintenance of the work area.
  • Workplace operating procedures. What they are and why they are important.
  • Tools and equipment used in furniture manufacturing.
  • Storage environment, for tools and equipment.
  • Maintenance of tools and equipment including pre-checks, inspections and tool condition.
  • Machinery used in furniture manufacturing.
  • Maintenance of machinery for furniture manufacturing activity including cleaning and lubrication.
  • Setting up machinery to perform furniture manufacturing operations.
  • Types of materials used in furniture making.
  • Methods of preparing materials.
  • Methods of packing and storage: components and products.
  • Jigs and templates. Purpose, condition and use.
  • Measuring and marking out of materials. Calibration of measurement tools and equipment.
  • Furniture component manufacturing processes including cutting and shaping.
  • Types of jointing techniques used in making furniture.
  • Furniture assembly techniques.
  • Types of furniture fittings and fixtures. Purpose and use.
  • Principles and techniques for finishing furniture surfaces including spraying.
  • Rectification, repair and rework techniques used on manufactured furniture.
  • Methods for the handling and movement of products and components.
  • Quality assurance processes.
  • Methods of documenting work in progress for the furniture making activity.
  • Continuous improvement techniques: lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
  • Team working principles.
  • Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the impact on their work.
  • Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information.
  • Written communication techniques - electronic and paper. Industry terminology
  • Information and digital technology: email, collaboration packages, databases, equipment digital interfaces, management information systems, word processing, work sharing platforms, GDPR, cyber security.

  Skills

  • Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
  • Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
  • Prepare and maintain the work area.
  • Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Follow workplace operating procedures.
  • Store tools and equipment.
  • Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
  • Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
  • Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
  • Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
  • Apply preparation techniques to materials.
  • Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
  • Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
  • Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
  • Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
  • Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
  • Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
  • Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
  • Follow quality assurance processes.
  • Pack and store components and products.
  • Record furniture making activity information - paper based or electronic.
  • Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
  • Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
  • Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
  • Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Undertake and record learning and development activities.

  Behaviours

  • Put health and safety first.
  • Take ownership of given work.
  • Consider the impact on the environment when using resources and carrying out work.
  • Team-focus to meet work goals.
  • Support an inclusive workplace for example, respectful of different views.
  • Seek learning and development opportunities.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Engineering and manufacturing
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 18 months
• Maximum funding: £11,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Cabinet maker
  • Chair maker
  • Component manufacturer
  • Frame maker
  • Furniture maker
  • Furniture manufacturer

View more information about Furniture making operative (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.