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Apprenticeship training course

Bespoke furniture maker (level 3)

Producing and assembling bespoke pieces of furniture to meet individual customers’ requirements.

Qualification level
3
Equivalent to A level.
Typical duration
24 months
Apprenticeship category
Creative and design
Maximum funding
£10,000
Maximum amount government will fund
for apprenticeship training.
Also known as
  • Bespoke Furniture Maker
  • Bespoke Furniture Manufacturer
  • Cabinet Maker
  • Furniture Maker
Skills
Skills an apprentice will learn
  • Work safely at all times, wearing appropriate PPE, adhering to COSHH records and completing health and safety records and reports
  • Operate equipment to PUWER regulations
  • Carry out health and safety risk assessments
  • Create furniture making specifications, cutting lists and other relevant information from designs
  • Identify any problems and issues that may occur such as feasibility or cost
  • Challenge furniture making designs and offer solutions to any problems identified, for example can the design be made, is it the wrong wood species
  • Identify materials used in furniture making for example wood and timber, manmade composite materials
  • Select appropriate materials to meet furniture making specification for example wood and timber, manmade composite materials
  • Manage furniture production including setting timescales and priorities to meet company objectives and delegating furniture making work tasks to others
  • Cut, sand, bore, drill, create joints, mould, saw and plane wood and components
  • Calibrate measuring equipment and use accurately
  • Create complex jigs and templates to meet furniture making specifications for example Lock Jigs, Jigs for making Arcs as well as Jigs for making Frieze and Dentil Moulding
  • Set up appropriate tooling to meet furniture making specifications
  • Set up machinery, tools and equipment to meet furniture making specifications
  • Operate and use machinery, tools and equipment to meet furniture making specifications
  • Maintain furniture machinery, tools and equipment within limits of responsibility for example lubricating machinery, keeping machinery clean, sharpening tools
  • Fit, fix and assemble components to meet furniture making specifications
  • Use cramps to assemble components
  • Attach fixtures and fittings to meet furniture making specifications
  • Create joints to meet furniture making specifications
  • Test and check furniture and components against specifications for example open and close drawers
  • Rectify and remedy any faults, for example marking and blisters, defects, scratches, marks, density, holes, weave
  • Identify trends in furniture making faults
  • Prepare surfaces for furniture finishes for example sanding
  • Repair any defects identified for example blooming, moisture, temperature, blotching, runs, streaks, curing, and silicones - orange peel, fish eye
  • Apply appropriate finishes including by hand and by spray gun for example stains, sealers, lacquers/UV, primers, solvents and water-based materials, paints, waxes, oils, grain fillers, patinas, varnish and polish
  • Apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills
  • Identify training needs of self and others
  • Maintain own continued professional development (CPD)
  • Give appropriate feedback and support to others
  • Seek constructive feedback on own skills and techniques against current standards
  • Evaluate own skills and expertise

Full information on Bespoke furniture maker (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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Apprenticeship location

CH62 3PA Remove location

7 providers available for this apprenticeship location

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