CAREER PATHWAYS

Introduction toTHE FURNITURE

SECTOR

01ContentsThis is a brief guide to the Furniture, Furnishings and Interior sector. The booklet will help youdecide if this job sector is one you would like more information on. This booklet was funded bythe Welsh Assembly Government.

Welcome page

Sector Statistics (2008)

Working in Furniture Manufacturing

An introduction to the Furniture, Furnishingsand Interiors sector

Internal Supply Chain Map

Jobs in the Furniture, Furnishings and Interior sector

Furniture Manufacturing and the Environment

The Qualifications valued by Furniture, Furnishing andInterior sector employers

Where the Welsh Baccalaureate fits

Key Skills

KEY SKILLSWhat they are and how they are used in the Print sector

WHERE DIPLOMAS FITShowing your options at Level 1, 2 and 3

PERSONAL LEARNING AND THINKING SKILLS (PLTS)Skills development and the new Diplomas

PrintIT!

2

3

4

5-6

8

9-16

17

18

19-20

21-22

16-17

18

19

22

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills

Employee Case Studies

Example Career Progression Routes

Foundation Modern Apprenticeships andModern Apprenticeships

23

24-26

27-28

30

02

Welcome to the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industrycareers booklet. Produced by Proskills UK Ltd this guide willprovide you with some basic information to help you decide ifthe Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors (FFI) sector is one thatyou would like to work in. The businesses in this sector createproducts for the domestic, office and contract markets. Demandfor new quality goods is expected to remain high and restorationand remedial work is also on the increase in the UK. The FFIindustry is therefore expected to provide many employees theopportunity to develop long and varied careers with manyindividuals choosing to master a range of skills.

The information in this booklet will help you update yourknowledge about the processes, equipment, jobs and careerdevelopment opportunities within the FFI industry. There aremany well paid and satisfying jobs within the industry and anumber of rewarding careers await you.

At the back of this booklet we have provided a career progressionchart which has been designed to help you plot your careerdevelopment. Link this to our interactive careers websitewww.prospect4u.co.uk which holds further informationabout the FFI industry to help you choose your future.

• The industry employs around 150,000 in the UK

• The UK FFI Industry has a £10 billion turnover

• Total sales for domestic furniture and furnishings in the UK are over£5,000 million per year

• There are circa 20,000 FFI companies in the UK

• It is responsible for producing over £1.1 billion pounds worth of exportbusiness from the UK

• Around 25% of the total workforce are over 45 years of age

• Only around 12% of the total workforce is aged under 25

Of the 150,000 people employed in the FFIindustry research indicates furniture andfurnishing production accounts for 75% ofall jobs. Administration, sales and designaccount for a further 15% and management,together with warehousing and distributionmake up the remaining 10%. Other jobswithin the industry can include; buying,merchandising, finance, human recourses,information technology, marketing andpublic relations, operations and logisticswhich means there is something foreveryone at all levels.

03Furniture, Furnishings andInterior sector statistics2008

04The Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry is built on traditional craft skills which dateback many hundreds of years. Entry into the industry is typically via three main routes.The first of these is an Apprenticeship, which can lead to a range of exciting, specialistcareers. Another entry route in to the industry is directly through employers, who often lookfor people that want to develop a broader range of skills and perform different tasks every day.The third alternative entry to these is Further/Higher Education (FE/HE), which can result inqualifications at degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) level that helps teach the businessskills needed to manage or run your own business. There are many training colleges anduniversities across the UK which offer relevant FE and HE.

OperationalFurniture manufacture can be completed in small custom designed workshops or in largefactories where large, fast moving, automated machinery is used. Soft Furnishing and CraftUpholstery workshops are generally smaller units employing multi-skilled staff that canprovide comprehensive training in the chosen discipline. Manufacturing work withinworkshops and factories can require reasonable physical fitness, due to the amount ofstanding and lifting involved. Within the workshops, a wide range of basic tools can be usedincluding; saws, hammers, needles, as well as small hand held electrical appliances forsanding, fabric cutting and pressing. In comparison, within the large factories which tend tooffer more Apprenticeships the work may also involve control of large fast movingmachinery. Some of this machinery can be quite noisy and dust extraction systems arerequired, due to wood cutting and shaping tasks which is performed at speed. Whether youwork for one of the smaller employers that make up around 75% of the UK FFI industry, thelarger employers or you are self employed, health and safety rules are vitally important andthey must be followed at all times. Working in the production side of the industry requiresgood hand–eye coordination. The ability to use tools effectively, team working skills and aquality driven approach are also highly valued.

Supervisory and managementOnce knowledge and experience has been gained in production some employees thenmove into training, leadership, health and safety or quality management positions. Theseroles require a blend of production knowledge, good communication skills and the ability touse computers for tasks such as report writing and stock management. There are also salesand marketing positions that require knowledge of both raw materials and the manufacturingprocesses and business administration roles.

Above this level are the senior managers, who need to be able to inspire staff and ensurebusiness goals are always understood by all employees. Their work is driven by companyplans and it involves ensuring that production targets are constantly met.

Working in FurnitureManufacturing

05The FFI industry is traditionally segmented into the followingthree sub-sectors:

Each of these sub-sectors manufactures a variety of products. The businesses thatmake up these sub sectors create a range of products which have a major impacton our quality of life. The products they create can be designed for theirfunctionality, for their looks, for comfort or any combination of the three. Similar toother sectors, FFI has a number of different product groups and this sectionprovides you with a brief overview of them all. The product groups covered in theFFI sector are:

An introduction to the Furniture,

Sector Description

Domestic Serving the public directlyand through retail outlets

Office Desks, seating, tables, window treatments andother items for the office environment.

Contract Furniture and Furnishings for public areassuch as hotels and airports.

Product Group Examples of Products

Upholstered Products Settees, fireside, easy chairs, convertiblesand unit section seating

Bedroom Storage (wardrobes, dressing tables, cabinets,chests of drawers), unit and built in storage

Kitchen Storage (wall units, cupboards) and built-in units (base andsink units) cimices, pelmets, work surfaces, plinths etc

Dining Room /Living Room

Seating and tables, wall storage, sideboards, dressers,bookcases, cocktail and china cabinets, coffee and

occasional tables, television and entertainment cabinets.

Beds and BeddingUpholstered bases for mattresses, divans, wooden ormetal bed ends, bedsteads, divan headboards and bedheads, bunk beds, mattress supports and mattresses.

Soft FurnishingBlinds, curtains, valances, swags and tails,

pelmets, bedspreads, bed base valances, four poster bedcurtains and drapery, bed corona curtains and drapery,

table covers, cushion covers.

06Furnishings and Interiors sector

The FFI Industry Labour Market & Skills Analysis report, completed byProskills in February 2008 reported that job roles fall within these productgroups:

Cabinet Making/Hand Crafted FurnitureDesignerFinishing/Polishing (including French Polisher)Production (Manufacturing/Assembly/Installation)RestorationSoft Furnishing

UpholsteryWood Machinist

Each of these product areas employs individuals who have the opportunity to growwith the company and become highly experienced within their career. The relevanttraining can be accomplished through a wide range of work based or college basedqualifications, these are explained further on in this booklet.Some FFI manufacturers can create products as a bespoke offer, to cover anindividual customer’s requirements, some may specialise in producing furniture andfurnishings for cruise ships, while others develop new ranges of furniture that willbe mass produced for sale to the general public. Either way all products need to bedesigned and manufactured to a consistently high quality.In the UK around 75% of the FFI sectors businesses are micro companiesthat employ less than 10 staff. However, there are also some largebusinesses that employ many hundreds of staff. Large companies within theindustry include; Ercol Furniture Limited, Havelock Europa, Hypnos,Mereway and the Morris Furniture Group. Examples within Wales includeOrangebox, Pendragon and Sigma 3 Kitchens.With globalisation and the growth of businesses using the Internet, UK furnituremanufacturers are now competing with companies that manufacture productsoverseas, where overheads can often be much cheaper. This has led to high levelsof imported furniture from countries outside Europe, thus forcing many FFIbusinesses to adapt their business models and invest in research to develop newmaterials and access new markets. Others have moved into restoration work tosecure jobs and maintain growth and business order levels. Trade forecasts showthe UK industry is expected to grow as demand for new housing continues toincrease and refurbishment orders are also expected to increase sales.As part of these processes many furniture manufacturers are now training theirstaff in different disciplines, so they can work more flexibly and complete differenttasks. This has resulted in many FFI employees now having multi-skilled andcapable of completing more than one professional task. Some examples of howthis works are Frame Makers that have originally been trained in Wood Machiningor Soft Furnishers starting their careers as Sewing Machinists.

********

Raw materialse.g.:Wood

Fabric and TrimmingsWebbingFillingsGlassMetalPolishStain

Hardware e.g.:Screws, tacks,

handles

ProductionProcess and

Equipment e.g.:Wood machinesComputer AidedDesign (CAD)Computer Aided

Manufacture (CAM)Sprayers

Hand Tools e.g.:Hammer, Screwdriver

Utilities:Electricity, Gas,

Water

07 Supply and Demand

FURNITUREJOB ROLES

Domestic FurnitureSupplying Furniture for:

Dining Rooms - cabinets, chairs, tables.Blinds, curtains, valances.Lounge - chairs, settees,

occasional tables, cabinets. Blinds,window drapery, loose covers, cushions.

Fabric wall covering.Kitchen – cupboards, worktops, blindsBedroom - wardrobes, dressers, beds,side tables. Bedspreads, bed valances,

blinds, curtains, pelmets.Bathroom – cupboards, blinds, curtains

Contract FurnitureSupplying Furniture for:

Hotels - beds, dressers, wardrobes,bars, tables, panelling blinds curtains,drapes, bed treatments, cushions.Hospitals - beds, chairs, tables etc.

Cubicle curtains.Schools and Colleges - tables, chairs,cabinets etc. Stage and window curtainsNursing Homes - chairs, beds, tables etc.Curtains, bed treatments, cushions.

Shops - shelving, counters,tables, chairs, desks etc

Restaurants and Public Houses - bars,stools, tables, chairs, blinds, curtains,

pelmets, valances

Office

Supplying Furniture for:Offices including home working - desks,chairs, workstations, bookshelves,curtains, pelmets, valances.

SUPPLYPRODUCTDEMAND

Designer

Polisher

Restorer

Upholsterer

Installer/Fitter

Woodmachinist

Finisher

Cutter

Mattress Maker

Soft FurnisherMaker e.g.:

Curtains/Blinds

Assembler orFrame Maker Cabinet

Maker

08Internal Supply Chain Map

FrameAssembly

Webbing/Springing

PatternCutting*

Preparationinc Paddingand Lining

Upholstery Polishing Finishing QualityAssurance Packaging

Distributionto Retail/Consumer

Assembly* Staining Polishing Finishing Fittings QualityAssurance Packaging Distribution to

Retail/Consumer

*May be done by hand or using high tech equipment

Design* Purchasing ofRaw Materials

Wood machining/Production ofComponent Parts

Upholstery:

Cabinet:

09 Jobs in the Furniture,

Cabinet Maker/Hand Crafted FurnitureTo complete this type of work you need to be good at working with your hands, you needto be able to use hand held power tools and you have to understand designs and technicaldrawings. Maths skills are also very important, as you will need to work out quantities,measurements and possibly costs. However, there are no fixed minimum entry levels ofqualification needed to become a cabinet maker. That said, GCSEs are valued by manyemployers, as they prove you can work hard and achieve goals. Many school basedqualifications also provide you with a strong set of foundation skills, which help youdevelop work related skills once your employment has begun. Cabinet makers can workon kitchen, shop fitting or other furniture manufacture and within this employment manyoptions exist across the UK.

You can gain relevant skills on a number of work related courses. These include NationalVocational Qualifications (NVQs) - often taught through day release to college and distancelearning (online modules). Some examples of work related courses that are taken bycabinet makers are:• Apprenticeship programmes with National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 in

Making and Installing Furniture• NVQs in Supporting the Production of Furniture and Furnishings.• City & Guilds Certificates, which provide woodwork modules in Furniture Production.

These can form part of the apprenticeship – i.e. 5610 in Furniture Production

DesignersBefore any new furniture products are manufactured, a detailed plan, providing informationsuch as material use, size and functionality has to be created. These plans are developedby designers, who can work in offices and production areas. When creating plans fora new product there are many factors that a designer must consider; as well as howa finished product will look, a designer has to consider cost and availability of materials,the products functions (customer requirements and intended use) and also safety issues.

The plans drawn up by a designer have to be approved by management before anyproduction can begin. The designs created can initially be sketched by hand or developedusing Computer Aided Design programmes, known widely as CAD. Prototypes andmodels may then be created to help in the decision making processes before productionis agreed. Management decisions depend upon factors such as production costs,business plans, the availability of materials, current orders and market conditions createdby trends and competition from other businesses.

Designers can also be tasked with improving current designs and some also take part inproduction processes, making sure the furniture created matches with their original plans.

Products can be developed for mass market production or for a ‘one-off’ order to covera special project or individual client request e.g. a bespoke design of soft furnisher.Designers are often given guidelines and asked to create products with specific functionsusing limited materials. To accomplish this they need to develop their knowledge abouta wide range of materials and the greater their knowledge and experience the better theirabilities.

Furnishings and Interior sector 10

11 Jobs in the Furniture,

Finisher/Polisher (including French Polisher)Furniture finishers and polishers prepare and treat wood to give it a smooth finish andbring out the beauty of the natural timber. They are responsible for finishing items suchas dining tables and chairs, lounge suites, cabinets, chests of drawers, wall units, kitchencabinets, musical instruments, shop fittings to ensure they are ready for sale. They mayalso work on fixed timbers such as doors or wall fittings in old buildings.

Most furniture polishing is carried out using the pressure spray-painting method, althoughhand polishing and other machine applications are also used. A knowledge of stains,sanding, timber based surfaces, metals and plastics is required. Some furniture polishersspecialise as spray finishers using low pressure spray equipment and guns. Furniturepolishers tend to work in a factory environment with efficient fume and dust extractionequipment including overalls, dust masks and goggles. French polishers carry out thesame basic processes in preparing the wood and then finishing it. They tend to work insmall units carrying out specialised hand polishing.

12Furnishings and Interior sector

Production (Manufacturing/Assembling/Installation for Kitchens,Furniture, Furnishings, Blinds and Shutters)As a production worker you could be helping to make any kind of manufactured goods –from kitchen tables to soft furnishings. The job can be very varied; the work may be heavyor light, quite routine or very specialised. In many manufacturing jobs you may beoperating machinery – setting it up, controlling it and supplying it with the material orcomponents. You may also be required to assemble the product (fitting items together) orpack the components or finished article.

Installation of items means they will be secured permanently in position. Perhaps the mostobvious example of domestic fitted furniture is that of Kitchen Installation, although otherinstallations include bedrooms, bathrooms and utility rooms. Commercial and publicbuildings such offices, shops, hospitals, laboratories and prisons also require units offurniture to be secured.

Job roles which involve the fitting, shaping and securing of products within the FFI Industryinclude:

• Kitchen Fitter: floor, wall and island cupboards/units, work surfaces, mouldings• Furniture Fitter: shelving, wardrobes, storage units, work surfaces, mouldings• Blind and Shutter Installer: Internal and external blinds, awnings, shutters etc• Soft Furnishing Installer. Blinds of all types, curtain laths, curtain tracks, hang

and dress window and bed curtains, valances, and draperies.

The installer will also need to take account of and accommodate the utility servicesand special design features. An example of this would be making provision for thesafe passage of water, gas and low voltage cabling through the item of furniture or unit.

A competent Installer will be skilled in the use of a range of hand tools, power toolsand templates, and will be able to align, scribe and make level a range of units. Othertransferable skills include: reading drawings/plans and specifications, measuring,marking, cutting and securing. Knowledge of background structures (solid/cavity wallsetc) is required so that a secure fixing can be made. There are many fixing devicesavailable and the appropriate one must be used. For kitchen fitting in particular, the Fitterwill be aware of the multitude of regulations which apply to the design and fitting ofappliances and to the provision of the utilities including heating, lighting and ventilation.

Some Installers will also have input into the design of the installation, will meet andsatisfy customer demands and make arrangements for the safe movement of goodsin and out of the installation area. Some companies are able to provide opportunitiesfor a diverse range of craft skills especially if they complete works before and after theinstallation of cabinetry – examples might be ceramic and floor tiling, plaster patching,basic plumbing, and decoration. Some smaller companies offer a complete service:designing, making and installing kitchens, furniture and furnishings.

13RestorerThese jobs require a wide set of skills and techniques together with knowledge aboutfurniture manufacture and its history. The work ranges from restoring parts to completelyrebuilding pieces of furniture, which can include making replacement parts.

With qualifications and experience furniture restorers can earn between £20,000 and£40,000 a year (2008).

Qualified and experienced restorers are aware how furniture was and is made and theyalso understand the causes of weakness and how damage develops though deterioration.Modern furniture is often now created using materials such as metal, glass, stone andplastics. Many of these items are discarded once damaged but wood has qualities thatcontinue to appeal and wooden furniture is often built to last and it is repairable.

Working in a workshop with a wide range of tools and equipment as a restorer youmay be required to work alone or alongside other employees. As well as restorationwork you may be required to travel to visit customers to collect and deliver furnitureafter repairs are complete and you may be responsible for keeping the workshopclean and tidy. You will have to make a careful and detailed examination of damagedfurniture before starting any repairs. The condition of the piece will help you decidewhat the best way to restore it is and what materials and techniques you need.A written report and estimate of the costs of repair may be needed before thecustomer agrees to any restoration.

Jobs in the Furniture,

14Soft FurnisherThis is the art of producing fabric decoration to windows, beds, walls and ceilings and theproduction of removable covers for seat furniture and cushions. There are two areas ofproduction of soft furnishing, one for the mass market and the other offering bespokeitems. The mass market section often undertaken in modern workrooms requires skill inthe use of more sophisticated high speed machines used for layering and cutting thematerial, plain sewing, hemming and finishing. The bespoke area comprises mostly ofsmaller units where more hand skills are required. You will be taught how to measureand cut accurately and hand sew neatly the various stitches used in the manufacturingprocess, how to use a sewing machine to join lengths of fabric together and pattern match.You will have the opportunity to develop your skills to become a supervisor or workroommanager able to oversee and train other members of the staff. Design, estimate for andcut and make ornate fabric treatments for use in homes, hotels, boardrooms and historichouses.

Qualifications that are useful in these positions include Apprenticeships, NVQs, City andGuilds Certificates and Diplomas. Within these qualifications there are modules that lookat furniture and Soft Furnishing production and design and craft. However these are notalways essential when looking to gain entry level jobs. Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)and degree courses in furniture-related subjects such as furniture making, furniturerestoration, furniture production and furniture design are available at some colleges anduniversities. The availability of these courses depends on the local job market, which canhave a strong influence on the types of skills and qualifications trainers teach.

Some useful qualifications include:

• NVQ Level 2 in Making and Installing Furniture• NVQ Level 3 in Making and Installing Production Furniture• NVQ Level 3 in Making and Repairing Hand-crafted Furniture• City and Guilds Level 4 Creative Arts Higher Professional Development

Diploma

Furnishings and Interior sector

15UpholstererEmployed in craft workshops and by furniture manufacturers this job can be physicallydemanding, as lifting and carrying furniture and a lot of bending and standing is ofteninvolved. Working as an upholsterer in a craft workshop your work may involve applyingsuspensions, fillings and covering chairs, bed headboards and settees using modern orthe traditional method of forming the shape of the stuffing by rows of stitches. You couldbe employed to work in a production factory, upholstering complete items or you maywork on a particular part, such as chair arms. As part of this you may be involved in fixingsuspensions and attaching fillings, usually of polyester foam, cutting, sewing and attachingthe fabric to the item with staples, using a staple gun. Attaching castors and trimmingsi.e. braid, cord and fringe.

Once your skills and knowledge develop you could then gain employment in a ‘craft’position, working on individual pieces of new furniture or renovating or re-upholsteringold and antique furniture. Within this job your advanced skills and knowledge will beused to plan your work, provide advice on fabric use and complete estimations of costs.You may be involved in team work and be asked to prepare patterns and templates forother junior staff and help them with their training. You could also be involved in repairingand re-upholstering furniture, this can involve removing damaged frameworks andrepairing them.

Jobs in the Furniture,

16Wood MachinistWood machinists are employed by furniture manufacturers to cut, shape and preparetimber which is then used for furniture production. The work requires good hand eyecoordination and can involve the use of machinery and hand held tools such as saws,planers and routers. Some employers also train their staff to use computer aided designand manufacturing software programmes (CAD/CAM). Wood machinists are expectedto plan efficient use of raw timber to keep waste to a minimum and they may have tounderstand design briefs and follow detailed technical drawings.

Regardless of the tasks or the employer, health and safety is very important and safetyprocedures must be followed at all times. Wood machinists often start out on anApprenticeship with furniture manufacturers. During training they develop a wide rangeof skills, including machine work, assembly and cabinet making. National VocationalQualifications (NVQs) in Wood Machining are available at Level 2 and Level 3 and thereare options for furniture making. Qualifications such as Apprenticeships and FoundationModern Apprenticeships include City and Guilds Certificates as well as NVQs and withinthese there are individual modules such as:

• Producing shaped, turned, jointed, sanded & bored objects• Making sawn and planed products• Using CNC/NC machine tools• Making and repairing production furniture• Machinery and equipment maintenance• Making and repairing hand crafted furniture

Work related training courses such as these provide hands on experience and they helpemployees develop broad ranging skills and knowledge. With experience wood machinistscan then make decisions such as which type of timber is needed for making particularproducts, with decisions being based on the strengths and qualities of different timber.As well as the ability to follow technical drawings, good maths skills, for working out theamount of timber needed and efficient cutting angles are also required. Other importantskills employers look for at interview can include problem solving and good communicationskills. Once the days work is complete the wood machinists may be responsible forcleaning the workshop, maintaining tools and servicing equipment. Wood machinists areneeded in the manufacture of a very wide range of furnishings. Kitchen cabinets, tablesand chairs, door and window frames, wardrobes, shelving, fencing and pallets are onlya few examples of these.

Furnishings and Interior sector

17 Furniture Manufacturingand the Environment

The manufacture of man made products from raw materials unavoidably creates somewaste products and emissions. The disposal of these can be harmful to our environmentif it is not strictly controlled and the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry have avery responsible attitude towards this.

By supporting research and assisting in the setting up of waste control systems FFIindustry bodies have raised awareness of environmental issues caused through thewaste created by furniture manufacture. As a consequence many UK furnituremanufacturers are now helping to reduce harmful emissions and waste productsare being recycled where ever possible.

18The Qualifications valued byFurniture, Furnishing andInterior sector employersAlthough Apprenticeships are the traditional route to many of the jobs found within the FFIindustry the type of qualifications valued by the industry range from the ‘academic’(GCSEs, A’ Levels in: English, Maths, Science, ICT, Design Technology, Business Studiesand Art) to ‘vocational’ and ‘work related qualifications’ such as AVCEs, NVQs, City andGuilds Certificates, BTEC HNCs/HNDs and Foundation Degrees (the availability of thesewithin Wales is limited). Vocational qualifications involve study and work based training andsome can be completed part time, whilst employed. This means learners (and this includesolder people looking to change careers) can ‘earn’ while they ‘learn’ and can developexperience at the same time as they complete their qualifications.

An example of the work related qualifications for a Furniture Restorer which the FFIemployer’s value would be:

• The City and Guilds 5610 Certificates in Furniture Production Level 1, 2 & 3• An NVQ Level 2 in Making and Installing Furniture• An NVQ Level 3 in Making and Repairing Handcrafted Furniture

Also Furniture Restorers may also have a relevant Degree, Foundation Degree or BTECHigher National Diploma (HND). For specific guidance on the role of Furniture Restorerand other occupational areas, please read the relevant job descriptions.

Further to this the new Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design, which will be taughtin schools across and work based study. the UK from September 2009, provides a thirdchoice of study for 14-19s. The Diploma has been designed to link both academic.

19 Where the WelshBaccalaureate fits

The Welsh Baccalaureate is an exciting qualification for students in Wales that adds avaluable new dimension to the subjects and courses already available for 14 to 19 year oldstudents.

It combines personal development skills with existing qualifications like A levels,NVQs and GCSEs to make one wider award that is valued by employers and universities.The Welsh Assembly Government introduced the Welsh Baccalaureate to transformlearning for young people in Wales. It gives broader experiences than traditional learningprogrammes, to suit the diverse needs of young people. It can be studied in English orWelsh, or a combination of the two languages.

For further information please visit www.welshbaccalaureate.org.uk

What are the new opportunities within the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification?From 2009, elements of the new 14 –19 Diplomas that are being developed in Englandwill be available in Wales. As the Welsh Baccalaureate is already a well established anda well regarded qualification, these elements will fit within the Welsh BaccalaureateQualification Framework. The elements are Principal Learning and the Project/ExtendedProject.

What is Principal Learning?Principal Learning is a new qualification that has been developed in partnership withemployers and universities. It will give learners an insight into what is involved in anoccupational area without committing the learner to a career in that area. There will beopportunities to experience different styles of learning in different environments such asschool, college and the workplace, with an emphasis on practical activities.

The Principal Learning qualifications are free standing qualifications that may be usedtogether with, or instead of, other approved qualifications as part of the Optionsrequirements within the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification.

They will be available at levels 1 [Foundation], 2 [Intermediate] and 3 [Advanced] of theNational Qualifications Framework.

The Principal Learning qualifications will be phased in over three years. From September2009, the first four will be made available (Information Technology; Construction and theBuilt Environment; Engineering, and Creative and Media).

By 2012 they will be available in a further 10 occupational areas. (Society, Health andDevelopment; Environmental and Land-based Studies; Business Administration andFinance; Manufacturing and Product Design; Hospitality; Hair and Beauty Studies;Travel and Tourism; Public Services; Sport and Leisure; Retail).

20What are the Project/Extended Project Qualifications?The Project/Extended Project Qualifications are freestanding qualifications that will letthe learner choose their own topic and develop skills in managing and presenting theirlearning. The Project/Extended Project Qualifications will be available at level 1[Foundation], level 2 [Higher] and level 3 [Extended] and can be taken as part of orseparate from the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification.

If the Project/Extended Project is taken within the Welsh Baccalaureate, the learner will beprovided with opportunities to draw upon and integrate their learning from all componentsof the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification. Also, the Project/Extended Project qualificationmay be an alternative (proxy) to the Individual Investigation requirement of the WelshBaccalaureate, provided the Project/Extended Project also meets the requirements ofthe Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification.

COMMUNICATION SKILLSThe stronger your communication skillsare, the better your ability to interact withother team members and customers,to inform, persuade and create action.Within this sector it is essential to havegood communication skills because youare part of a team and your role mayalso have direct contact with businesscustomers. Communication includesverbal, written and reading skills andinstructions are often initially written.They must be read, understood andyou may also then need to explainthem verbally in an effective way.

COMPUTER SKILLSMany modern manufacturing processes relyon computer controlled machinery known asCAD –CAM this stands for Computer AidedDesign – Computer Aided Manufacture. As aconsequence computer programming is nowtaught within Apprenticeships. Within FFIdesigners also often use CAD programmesto develop new ideas and managers andadministration staff use computers every dayfor planning, communication, data analysisand report writing.

WORKING WITH OTHERSWithin the FFI industry people often have towork very closely with other work colleagues.Effective team working is therefore essentialfor products to be manufactured safely, tohigh quality standards whilst achievingbusiness targets. Sharing information andsupporting each other on a daily basis is anintegral part of this and the interactions whichtake place can improve internal processes,through the development of ‘best practice’systems and knowledge transfer betweenemployees.

APPLICATION OF NUMBERAll jobs in manufacturing involve some use ofnumbers. Things like measuring upholsterymaterials and timber, site measuring for fittedfurniture, curtains and wall covering, estimatingtime and material, checking production againstoutput targets and setting up machinery aredaily tasks that involve maths. From thedesigners that create new product plans(involves recording measurements) to theengineers that maintain machinery (calibrationtests) through to managers who set budgetsand monitor stock levels – all employeesuse maths skills every day.

Why are Key Skills so important?Key Skills form an essential part of your ‘employability’. Key Skills are transferable skillsbecause they are used in almost every job sector. The information on this page shows youhow these skills are used by Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors sector employers.People often change their jobs several times throughout their career. The ‘key’ transferableskills shown below develop during this process and continue to improve due to commonactivities found in every business.

A lack of key skills inany business canaffect the company’sability to survive

21 Key Skills

IMPROVING OWN LEARNINGModern manufacturing industries like Furniture,Furnishings and Interiors are continuously changing andadapting to deal with market pressures and competition.In tough markets, where profit margins can be small, thelatest technology can be the difference between abusiness’s success and its failure. Staff therefore have tobe flexible in their daily activities and willing to completetraining when systems are changed or new machinery isintroduced. Within FFI many staff are now expected tocomplete training in more than one area. This leads toself improvement, which provides the employee withenhanced employment options

PROBLEM SOLVINGThe ability to use ones knowledge tosolve difficulties in design, manufactureor installation not previously encountered.During manufacturing things occasionallygo wrong. The ability to deal with thiseffectively and learn from the problems toensure they don’t happen again, is valuedvery highly. An interruption to amanufacturing process can cost manythousands of pounds, so the ability to fixthe problem safely, effectively and quicklycan be critical to a businesses success.Although maintenance procedures andsystems to reduce machine downtimeare common in today’s competitive globalmarketplace, where the margins betweenprofit and loss are narrow good problemsolving skills to manage the unexpectedcan be vital.

22

23Personal Learning andThinking Skills (PLTS)

Research with business leaders has indicated that the six skills highlighted in thetext below (PLTS skills) are an important part of the skills development of allemployees.

Employees who can (1) Self Manage their own skills development is highly valued bybusinesses. To achieve this you need to be enthusiastic about your work. Enthusiasmhelps you become (2) An Effective Participant who gets the job done and (3) A TeamWorker that is happy to support other staff.However businesses also need their employees to be (4) Independent Enquirers, asthis helps you find solutions to problems and act on those findings. Within this it isimportant to become a (5) Reflective Learner as this helps you understand what youhave learned and develop the ability to explain any benefit to other staff clearly, so thegreatest benefit to the business can be gained.It is also important in todays challenging business market to be (6) A Creative Thinker.Creativity is a very valuable business tool. Businesses that are market leaders in theirindustry look for this skill at interview. Staff who are creative can provide a business withnew ideas and these ideas can lead to reduced costs and/or increased profits. In today’schallenging business market creativity can be the difference between a businesses successand its failure.

These PLTS skills will be tested within the new Diploma qualifications that are being introducedin schools from 2008

24Employee Case studies

Jim Davidson - Adult Apprentice Joiner Furniture Assembly(Havelock Europa Plc)• Tried when I left school (1977) to join the Construction trade without

success• Always wanted to have a craft or trade skill• Started on Youth Training Scheme (YTS) at BUKO’s in Glenrothes• 1978 joined Babygro as ‘Eastman’ knife cutter, stayed for 15 years• Had various jobs and was recently made redundant from Wind Turbine

Industry• 2003/4 undertook ‘Training For Work’ at an FE College – Carpentry &

Joinery for the Construction Industry• At 44 and I am living my dream• Havelock Europa offered ‘Work Experience’ practical placement• Offered Full-Time Employment• Offered to continue apprenticeship• Discussed Modern Apprenticeship Framework options with College Apprenticeship Advisor• Decided to follow Furniture Framework rather than Construction after consideration• Currently am working on the design and manufacture of a chair as my final project for my NVQ

level 2/3• I’ve really enjoyed my college course which has given me the skills, knowledge and confidence

to develop myself in this industry• Looking forward to completing my NVQ and currently making good progress with my level 3• I enjoy working for Havelock and the opportunity I have had to develop myself

Kelsey Whyte - Modern Apprentice Joiner Furniture Assembly(Havelock Europa Plc)• Enjoyed Craft Work at School• Heard about Havelock and applied for an Apprenticeship• 1st Interview with School grades and Clock• 2nd Interview with Parents + tour + test• Started on probationary period Aug 05• Started NVQ in Furniture Manufacture in September 05• Inducted and registered with College, City & Guilds for level 2 + 3 and

Modern Apprenticeship in Furniture Manufacture• Attended local College from Sept 05 on Day release (every Wed) developing skills and knowledge

for my NVQ level 2 portfolio• I enjoy my NVQ and college course and feel I am improving my knowledge and skills• I really enjoyed when I was asked to be involved in a special project (MRI Model Scanner)• Havelock Europa was approached by the NHS to make a MRI model scanner for young children• I was given a photograph of what was to be made by the Production Director (Alan Thomson)• I was asked to think about how to make this model and report back• I had to consider the following aspects: Scale, Materials, Weight, Portability and Colour• Looking forward to completing my NVQ level 2 and progressing with my level 3• I enjoy working for Havelock and this industry• I do recognise that I am working in a male dominated environment but I enjoy the challenge• After my apprenticeship I think I would like to be involved in design or planning

25Employee Case studies

James Morrison - Apprenticeship in Making andInstalling at Furniture Rycotewood Furniture CentreI am 21 and live in Hook in Hampshire. After completing my AVCEin Art and Design I decided to follow a career in woodworking,rather than go to university to study Product Design, which wasmy other main area of interest. I approached Benchmarkwoodworking, a specialist woodworking company producing workfor clients such as Foster and Partners, the Eden project andConran and Partners. I started off by doing one weeks workexperience followed by a three month trial period which Isuccessfully completed.

I have now been with the company for 8 months. At the same time as working and earning I amstudying an apprenticeship in Making and Installing Furniture. I attend college one day a week inorder to learn the underpinning knowledge and practical skills relating to my role in the workplace.The course will last for two years at which point I will then decide if I would like to continue beingan apprentice at an advanced level. I am enjoying my job and the college course. Ultimately, inyears to come I would like to have my own woodworking company.

Kate May – Successfully completed anAdvanced Level Furniture Production courseKate May, from Clitheroe, completed an Advanced LevelFurniture Production course at the College. Her tutorsnominated her for the award after the dedicated studentachieved 100% attendance and created some outstandingdesigns including innovative furniture for pets. Katereceived her medal at a presentation event held atHaydock Park racecourse.Kate began studying at Burnley College in September2003 after a number of years in the hotel managementindustry. The City and Guilds Medals for Excellence are awarded to “learners whose dedication andtalent enables them to produce work of an exceptional standard.” Kate has now started her ownbusiness ‘Pink Whiskers’ which is based in Clitheroe after she received commissions from friends andfamily during her course. The business specialises in making bespoke furniture such as beds andchairs for pets.Kate herself is looking forward to seeing her business grow “I had always planned to start my ownbusiness after completing my course at College and I’ve already received several commissions.Winning the Medal for Excellence has been brilliant as people know they will get an extremely highstandard of work if they order some furniture. All my tutors at College were a great help and I can’twait to carry on developing my skills in the future.”Kate’s tutors were delighted that she won the award, “Kate’s been a brilliant student right from thestart. She has always gone above and beyond what is expected of her. She has produced someexcellent designs and has real flair for furniture production. I wish her all the best for the futurebecause she has all the skills needed to make her own business a real success.” Anyone interestedin Kate’s products can visit her showroom based at Swan Courtyard in Clitheroe. Alternatively you cansee some of her designs at www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

26Employee Case studies

Robert Geary – Apprentice Upholstery CutterAs an apprentice upholstery cutter you will be employedin an industry, which offers training in a variety of differentskills and methods which are required to help theproduction of domestic or commercial furniture. You willbe following a comprehensive training programmeenabling you to cut a variety of different styles andtextured fabrics, which are used in the trade.

The training I have received has been varied and coversthe use of tools and equipment, to enable you to plan outand cut the fabric to the desired style and effect. This willenable you to cut plain cloth to chequered cover and alsosingle layered fabric to multiple layers. Apprenticesshould be prepared to work to company standards anddemonstrate a degree of attention to detail. The industryrequires you to be interested in producing work of qualityas companies are working to very high standards.Training programmes have been specially produced toenable you to monitor your own personal development and produce evidence required for you toprogress towards achieving a National Vocational Qualification.

I gained qualifications in English, Math’s and Science at school and I now work for a company calledWade Upholstery. The main influence for choosing Upholstery Cutting as a career was because mydad and older brother are both Upholsterers I was interested in the upholstery side of furnituremaking. I then became more interested in the cutting side of the production.

I have undertaken a full training programme in company and on day to a local training provider. I wassupervised by upholstery qualified training staff ensuring that I achieved my apprenticeship at level 2.I then went on to complete my advanced apprenticeship for hand crafted furniture. The benefits oftraining have helped me to become experienced and confident on all levels of cutting for theupholstery trade. I am now confident enough to take the responsibility of taking on some supervisoryand quality control roles when absences occur in these areas.

CAREER PROGRESSION ROUTES

F

Operative

Industry Specific Qualifications

Typical Wage Bands

I

Full Operative(Including craft roles)

M

Foundation Level

GCSE’s(Grades D-G)

Foundation Diploma

Apprenticeship

FLT, Skills for Life CertEntry level 1,2 & 3

Work-Based Learning

Key Skills

Please note that these qualifications are desirable but not essential.Within the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry, you could also work in any of the following disciplines: Administration, Environment, Health and Safety, Marketing, Project Management, or Quality Assurance.

£12,000 – £14,000

Intermediate Level

GCSE’s (Grades A*-G)or potential to achieve

L2 NVQ L2 & Cert L2 Wood Machining/ Making & Installing

Furniture/Fitted Interiors /Furniture Restoration/

Kitchen Fitting

Higher DiplomaNVQ 2 + Tech Cert L2 in:

Furniture ProductionL2 CAD/CAM/DesignWork-Based Learning

£14,000 – £18,000

Advanced LevelGCSE’s (Grades A*-C)

NVQ L3 & Cert L3 Wood Machining

Advanced Apprenticeships

Making & Installing FurnitureFitted Interiors & Kitchen Fitting

Furniture RestorationCert L3 Furniture

ProductionAdvanced Diploma

L3 CAD/CAMAS/A Levels

Design Work-Based Learning

£18,000 – £25,000

EPackaging & Dispatch Operative

Production Operative

Trainee

Semi Skilled Trainee

Various Apprenticeships

Including:

Cabinet Maker

Hand CraftedFurniture Maker

Soft Furnisher

Upholsterer

Wood Machinist

Wood Machinist

Soft Furnisher

Upholsterer (inc Cutter & Sewer)

Restorer

Production (inc. Installer/

Manufacturer/Assembler)

Hand Crafted Furniture Maker

Finisher/Polisher

CNC Machinist

CAD/Designer

Cabinet Maker

S

FURNITURE, FURNISHINGS& INTERIORS

Industry Specific Qualifications

Typical Wage Bands

F Manager Senior Management

For more information please visit www.prospect4u.co.uk

Estimator

Quality Control Technician

Quantity Surveyor

Production Manager

Higher Level

NVQ L4

Foundation Degree

HNC for e.g.CAD/CAM

L4/HNC

ApprenticeshipsDesign/Furniture

Making/Installing/Restoration

Work-Based Learning

£25,000 – £40,000

Level 5 and above

Management NVQ L5

Business Degree

Postgraduate Certs

£45,000 – £75,000+

Senior Designer

Human Resources

Marketing

Production

Purchasing

Research and Development

Sales

Job Profile Average Yearly SalaryWood Machinists £15,500Chairmakers £16,000Cabinet Makers £18,000Veneer Operatives £10,000Polishers £17,000Frame Makers £15,500Sewers £15,000Cutters £17,000Upholsterers £16,500Cushion Fillers £14,500Packers £14,500Labourers £13,500Drivers £19,000Maintenance Workers £18,500Jig Makers £9,000General Assistants £15,500Metal / Plastic Workers £7,000Quality Controllers £17,000Other £15,000Apprentice £6,500

29Guidelines to Salaries withinthe Furniture, Furnishings andInteriors Industry

Please note that there are regional variations, these figures give a guideline to the average salary.The information has been compiled from an employer survey.

30Foundation ModernApprenticeships andModern ApprenticeshipsIt is possible to follow a Foundation Modern Apprenticeship (FMA) in which the NVQ isat level 2, or a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) in which the NVQ is at level 3 within theFurniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry. Either apprenticeship will require you toachieve the following:

• An NVQ• A separate technical certificate (to provide the required job knowledge)• Key Skills• Completion of a Employment Rights and Responsibilities workbook

The NVQ part must be completed whilst looking on the job; the rest can be completedeither on or off the job.

Some typical jobs include:

• CAD / Designer• CNC Machinist• Handcrafted Furniture Maker• Production (including installer / manufacturer / assembler)• Polisher / Finisher• Restorer• Soft Furnisher• Wood Machinist• Upholsterer (including cutter and sewer)• Cabinet Maker

A Training Provider or College usually arranges the training for you; provides ongoingsupport and helps you to progress. Once all of the requirements have been met, youwill receive an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate.

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Your Next Step

If after reading this document you want to have a more detailed discussionregarding a career in the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors sector furtherinformation is available from Proskills, please call our information line on

01235 432 032

PROSKILLS BACKING YOUProskills is the voice of employers working on behalf of theBuilding Products, Ceramics, Coatings, Extractives, Furniture,Furnishings & Interiors, Glass, Paper and Print industries, whichmake up the process and manufacturing sector.Proskills are passionate about skills and their ability to improvethe productivity of business. Led by employers, our role is tohave a positive and direct impact on policies that affect the skills,productivity and competitive position of our industries. Wepromote and support apprenticeships, qualifications, continuingskills development and performance improvement. We directlyinfluence the provision of high quality training and educationresources to ensure continued business success of ourmembers and their employees. We are delighted to provide thiscareer pathway and hope it will help you to decide on your futurein business.

For more information go to our careers website onwww.prospect4u.co.uk