Overview
Furniture makers make wooden furniture. They make things like chests of drawers, tables, shelves, and kitchen cupboards. They make them carefully so that they look good and work well.
Activities
- Cut and shape materials with hand and machine tools
- Create designs for furniture on paper and on computer
- Estimate the quantity and type of materials needed
- Assemble items
- Add parts like brackets, hinges, handles and locks
- Apply finishes like polishes and varnishes
- Restore antiques or repairing damaged furniture
Organisation
Many people in the Black Country that do this job are self-employed and work from a garage or workshop. Others may work for a small or medium-sized furniture-making business or a large furniture manufacturer.
Workplace
Most Furniture makers work is done in workshops and factories indoors. Factories can be noisy, dusty, cold and dirty.
Working Hours
Furniture makers tend to work office hours but could also work shifts.
Salary
Starting salary £14,000.
Qualifications
You could apply for jobs if you have experience or qualifications in furniture or cabinet making, or carpentry. Employers often value skills and experience over qualifications. Some employers would want you to have GCSE’s or Carpenter qualifications some would be more flexible.
College – you could start off with a Carpentry & Joinery Level 1.
You could also apply for an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the Dfe exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry level 3 English and Maths qualifications.
The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.