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Apprenticeship training course

Mattress manufacturing operative (level 2)

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Information about Mattress manufacturing operative (level 2)

Mattress manufacturing operatives create a range of mattresses for consumers including memory foam, pocket sprung, latex, open coil, and continuous coil. They may also include hybrid mattress manufacturing combining both springs and foam layers producing more eco-friendly mattresses.

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 mattress 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. Manual handling. 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 mattress manufacturing.
  • Storage environment, for tools and equipment.
  • Maintenance of tools and equipment including pre-checks, inspections and tool condition.
  • Machinery used in mattress manufacturing.
  • Maintenance of machinery for mattress manufacturing activity including cleaning and lubrication.
  • Setting up machinery to perform mattress manufacturing operations.
  • Types of materials and fillings used in mattress manufacturing.
  • Measuring and marking out of materials. Calibration of measurement tools and equipment.
  • Mattress pre-construction processes: cutting, sewing, quilting, hand side stitching, and panel cutting.
  • Methods of assembly for core mattress types: spring units and fillings, memory foam, pocket sprung, latex, open coil, and continuous coil.
  • Mattress finishing techniques: tufting, tape edging.
  • Rectification and rework techniques used on mattresses.
  • Methods for packing, storing and handling mattresses.
  • Quality assurance processes.
  • Methods of documenting work in progress for the mattress manufacturing activity.
  • Continuous improvement techniques: lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S, 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. Matching style to audience.
  • 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 mattress manufacturing activity.
  • Plan mattress manufacturing activity including timescales for completion, 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 mattress manufacturing activity.
  • Identify and select materials and fillings used in mattress manufacturing.
  • Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
  • Apply first line maintenance of tools, equipment and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
  • Set up and operate mattress manufacturing machinery. For example, spring making, quilting, tape edging, panel cutting, tufting machinery.
  • Carry out pre-construction, core assembly and finishing techniques for mattresses: cutting and sewing labels, borders and panels; hand stitching; quilting; core assembly for foam, pocket sprung, latex, open coil or continuous coil; tufting and tape edging.
  • Carry out rectification, repair or rework of mattress assembly.
  • Follow quality assurance processes.
  • Pack, store and handle mattresses.
  • Record mattress manufacturing 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, for example with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Communicate in writing with others, for example, colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronic 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
15 months
Maximum funding
£9,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Bed manufacturer
  • Mattress maker
  • Mattress manufacturer
  • Tape edger

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