Make both mass-produced products and individually designed furniture and manufacture the various components needed to produce fitted kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms.
This occupation is found in the furniture, furnishings and interiors manufacturing industry. Furniture making operatives manufacture furniture for domestic, office and commercial settings. Furniture making operatives make both mass-produced products and individually designed furniture. They also manufacture the various components needed to produce fitted kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms. They measure, prepare and mark out materials and set up and operate machinery. Some will need to use computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery and other technology involved in manufacturing furniture. They assemble, rectify, rework and repair furniture and understand finishing techniques. Employers vary in size from micro to large.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to manufacture, assemble, furniture and furniture components. They also pack and store finished furniture. They also perform first line maintenance and contribute to continuous improvement activities. They read and interpret instructions, completing documentation and clean up work areas as part of the role. The occupation can be physically demanding, involving lifting of components, and standing for long periods of time. It involves working with machinery, tools, and equipment. Furniture making operatives often work shift systems. The seasonality of the industry, plus peaks and troughs in orders, often demands overtime working. Depending on the size of the organisation, they may be required to work on their own, or they may work as part of a wider team. Furniture making operatives can work in a range of environments from small, independent shops that produce custom furniture to factories that mass-produces pieces of furniture.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of colleagues. These include other furniture making operatives, designers, production or manufacturing managers, quality technicians, production leaders and product developers. They usually report to a supervisor or shift team leader. They will be able to work with minimum supervision.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the quality, accuracy, and timely completion of their own work. They will be responsible for meeting production targets. They must work within the health, safety and environmental regulations and guidance, including use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment. All work must be completed in a safe and efficient manner as directed by supervisory staff. They are responsible for ensuring that they use resources efficiently. They recycle and reuse resources where possible, minimising waste and must include the safe disposal of waste.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 3 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 70 minutes. They will ask you at least 9 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 22/08/2024 | Not set |
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