Make and repair upholstered furniture.
This standard has options. Display duties and KSBs for:
This occupation is found in the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry, it can also relate to the automotive and marine industry where they have upholstered items such as seating. Advanced Upholsterers will specialise in either traditional or modern upholstery and will choose one option.
The UK furniture, bed and furnishings manufacturing is a substantial growth industry for the UK. Latest verified government figures from 2016 put total consumer expenditure on furniture and furnishings at £16.7 billion, supporting over 327,000 jobs.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to produce upholstered furniture by preparing and cutting fabrics, creating/repairing frames and joints, selecting and applying suspensions and upholstering frames. An Advanced Upholsterer is a skilled and methodical individual capable of creating ergonomic and comfortable furniture using traditional or modern techniques, materials and fabrics to produce aesthetically pleasing and fit for purpose consumer products.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of colleagues including production/manufacturing managers, quality technicians, production leaders, designers and product developers. Advanced Upholsterers will work alone or within small teams with other upholsterers and will be responsible for liaising with colleagues, suppliers and customers. They tend to work in small craft workshops but can also work in larger factories. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the quality of their work and the relevant resources to carry out their activities.
Advanced Upholsterers may also have managerial responsibility for team members, the level of responsibility varies depending on the size of the organisation that they are working in. Depending on the size of the organisation, they will report to a production manager or a managing director.
Option 1: A Traditional Upholsterer is a skilled craft person who creates individual pieces of new furniture or renovates or re-upholsters old or antique furniture they also reupholster new furniture using traditional methods. Traditional upholsterers use materials like coil springs (post-1850), animal hair (horse, hog and cow), coir, hessian, linen scrim, wadding etc., and is done by hand, building up each layer.
Option 2: An Advanced Modern Upholsterer is a skilled person who understands frame construction, adds padding, springs and coverings to furniture such as chairs and sofas. Advanced Modern Upholsterers understand ergonomics and aesthetics required to apply methodically and accurately a wide range of modern upholstery techniques, materials and fabrics, to produce furniture that meets specification and is fit for purpose.
| Duty | Criteria for measuring performance | KSBs |
|---|---|---|
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Duty 1 Work safely at all times following relevant legislation and regulations ensuring self and others safety |
Following relevant health and safety legislation and guidance | |
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Duty 2 Prepare, cut and sew fabric components for upholstery products to specification |
Delivered in line with specifications | |
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Duty 3 Evaluate construction of / repair upholstery frames and joints using appropriate tools and equipment |
Delivered in line with customer expectations and specifications | |
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Duty 4 Identify any faults in hides of leather and propose solutions so it can be used in upholstery |
Delivered in line with specifications | |
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Duty 5 Ensure upholstery products meet industry specific regulations, legislation and standards |
Delivered in line with industry specific regulations, legislation and standards | |
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Duty 6 Realise and maintain customers’ expectations when upholstering products |
Delivered in line with customer expectations | |
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Duty 7 Manage internal upholstery projects from conception to successful completion. This can include projects such as creating bespoke pieces of furniture and introducing new products and materials. |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and costs | |
|
Duty 8 Effectively communicate with colleagues and customers (internal/external) |
Communicated clearly and succinctly |
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Duty 9 Manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets |
Delivered in line with agreed budgets | |
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Duty 10 Develop furniture product specifications and standard operating procedures for upholstered products |
Delivered in line with industry standards | |
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Duty 11 Select and apply suitable upholstery fillings and suspensions using traditional or modern techniques |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications |
| Duty | Criteria for measuring performance | KSBs |
|---|---|---|
|
Duty 17 Use modern techniques to upholster products to specifications using power tools and machinery |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications | |
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Duty 18 Design and create modern upholstered furniture to meet customers’ requirements |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications | |
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Duty 19 Define materials, construction methods and specifications for upholstered furniture to be produced |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications | |
|
Duty 20 Lead, manage and coach teams to ensure effective results in a modern upholstery environment |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications | |
|
Duty 21 Provide estimates for traditionally upholstered furniture to customers to meet their requirements |
Delivered in line with industry standards |
| Duty | Criteria for measuring performance | KSBs |
|---|---|---|
|
Duty 12 Manufacture to traditional standard, renovate and reupholster old or antique furniture to the required standard |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications | |
|
Duty 13 Apply traditional upholstery techniques in order to create, renovate or restore furniture pieces |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications | |
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Duty 14 Strip back old/antique upholstery in order to start the restoration/repair |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications | |
|
Duty 15 Provide estimates for traditionally upholstered furniture to customers to meet their requirements |
Delivered in line with customers expectations | |
|
Duty 16 Understand and appreciate the finish of show wood frames and implement traditional solutions, for example French polishing |
Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications |
K1: Health, safety and environmental management and risk assessment for example Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAWA), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and manual handling
Back to Duty
K2: Fabric characteristics, identification and appropriate usage of fabrics
Back to Duty
K3: How to create templates, lay, cut, prepare and sew fabric components
Back to Duty
K4: Upholstery frame construction and repair techniques for example jointing, gluing and replacing components
Back to Duty
K5: Leather faults and how to mark and resolve for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration in leather
Back to Duty
K6: Upholstery industry specific regulations, legislation and standards, covering flammability regulations, British Standards, CE Marks (Conformité Européenne), Intellectual Property and renewable practices
Back to Duty
K7: How to realise and manage customer expectations for example statutory rights and responsibilities, consumer rights, lead times, after sales support
Back to Duty
K8: Basic project management including principles and techniques of good project management
Back to Duty
K9: Effective communication skills and techniques including verbal, written and physical non-verbal
Back to Duty
K10: How to manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets for example raw materials
Back to Duty
K11: Industry materials including fabrics, springs, fillings, frames, linings, trimmings, legs, feet and castors
Back to Duty
K12: Modern and traditional manufacturing methods for example traditional hand techniques and modern machinery techniques
Back to Duty
K13: Ergonomic and aesthetic design principles in the upholstery industry
Back to Duty
K14: Different types of filling materials and when they should be used for example polyurethane foam, synthetic cotton and feathers
Back to Duty
K15: Styles, periods and iconic designers from pre-20th Century, 20th Century including 1930s art deco through to current trends and history of upholstered furniture, materials and methods
Back to Duty
K16: Traditional upholstery methods for example hand stitching, tacking and stuffing
Back to Duty
K17: How to create, renovate or restore furniture pieces for example re-covering or replacement fillings
Back to Duty
K18: How to strip back old/antique upholstery in order to start the restoration/repair
Back to Duty
K19: Budgeting, including providing customer estimates and costing projects
Back to Duty
K20: How to finish show wood frames for example French polishing
Back to Duty
K21: Modern upholstery techniques including the use of power tools and machinery
Back to Duty
K22: Modern methods of bespoke furniture production and assembly including stapling, machine sewing
Back to Duty
K23: History of upholstered furniture and styles, periods and iconic designers of the 20th & 21st Century
Back to Duty
K24: How to design, bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods
Back to Duty
K25: Materials, construction methods and product specifications used in modern upholstery, for example boards, springs, spring units, webbing, alternative support systems, fastenings and fabrics
Back to Duty
K26: Limitations relating to process and end uses and how to identify these
Back to Duty
K27: How to provide estimates to customers and cost projects
Back to Duty
K28: Equality and diversity and how this applies in the workplace
Back to Duty
K29: Conflict management
Back to Duty
S1: Work safely at all times
Back to Duty
S2: Prepare and sew fabric components using advanced methods for example fluting, float, deep-buttoning and other decorative detailing
Back to Duty
S3: Create templates, lay and cut fabric components
Back to Duty
S4: Evaluate upholstery frames and repair as required
Back to Duty
S5: Identify, mark and resolve faults in leather for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration
Back to Duty
S6: Quality assure upholstery products to meet relevant industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
Back to Duty
S7: Realise and manage customer expectations
Back to Duty
S8: Apply basic project management techniques
Back to Duty
S9: Apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills
Back to Duty
S10: Manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets including materials, components and time
Back to Duty
S11: Define materials, construction methods and product specifications for furniture to be produced
Back to Duty
S12: Select and fix different types of filling materials for example natural and manmade fillings
Back to Duty
S13: Select and apply materials for suspensions including springs, sprung units, suspension systems and webbing
Back to Duty
S14: Upholster products using traditional materials and methods such as using materials like coil springs (post-1850), animal hair (horse, hog and cow), coir, fibres, hessians, linen scrims, wadding by hand, building each layer up
Back to Duty
S15: Apply traditional upholstery techniques, for example hand stuffing, hand stitching and tacking in order to renovate/restore furniture pieces
Back to Duty
S16: Apply traditional upholstery materials and fabrics for example hessian and linen to repair antique/old furniture
Back to Duty
S17: Strip back upholstery to frames using appropriate tools and methods
Back to Duty
S18: Provide accurate estimates to customers
Back to Duty
S19: Identify the process to finish / repair show wood frames
Back to Duty
S20: Upholster products using advanced modern methods for example stapling, machine sewing
Back to Duty
S21: Use power tools and machinery to upholster products for example CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) cutting machinery and staple guns
Back to Duty
S22: Produce & assemble bespoke pieces of furniture using modern methods
Back to Duty
S23: Design and create bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods
Back to Duty
S24: Define manufacturing processes for furniture to be produced
Back to Duty
S25: Set timescales and costings for furniture to be produced
Back to Duty
S26: Provide accurate estimates to customers
Back to Duty
S27: Manage self and others to achieve objectives and lead teams by providing directions, instructions and guidance
Back to Duty
S28: Apply coaching, mentoring and team development techniques such as the GROW model (Goal, Current Reality, Options (or Obstacles) Will (or Way Forward) and apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts
Back to Duty
S29: Apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts
Back to Duty
B1: Have a safety-first attitude, ensuring the safety of self and others as appropriate
Back to Duty
B2: Is customer focused, demonstrate behaviour that puts the customer first
Back to Duty
B3: Commit to achieving and maintaining upholstery quality standards and efficiently rates
Back to Duty
B4: Has a calm and reasonable approach when completing upholstery tasks
Back to Duty
B5: Approaches each task with enthusiasm and demonstrates a high level of motivation and resilience when facing challenges
Back to Duty
B6: Thorough and accurate when accomplishing upholstery tasks
Back to Duty
B7: Adheres to company values
Back to Duty
B8: Be reflective on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seek opportunities to develop and advance skills in response to the evolving manufacturing environment and technologies
Back to Duty
B9: Demonstrate confidence in your ability and enthusiasm as an upholsterer
Back to Duty
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
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this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 30/09/2019 | Not set |
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