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Furniture Making Operative (Level 2)

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This apprenticeship is for any eligible candidates, who wish to earn a wage while developing their skills and knowledge needed to be able to pursue a career in the furniture, furnishings and interiors manufacturing industry.

A Furniture Making Operative would be expected to 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.

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.

Are there any entry requirements?

Must be a UK citizen, or have the right of abode in the UK, or is a citizen of a country that is within the EEA and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the EU or the EEA continuously for the previous three years before the start of learning.

Candidates will have achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade 1 (G) or equivalent Level 1 in English and Mathematics.  We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 1 and Level 2 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment.

Apprentices must be employed, normally for a minimum of 30 hours, in a role that suits the skills requirements of this apprenticeship. If you are not already employed, in this type of job role, you could search our apprenticeship vacancy page at:

www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-vacancies/

New applicants will be contacted by a vocational delivery tutor to determine suitability/ eligibility prior, give information and advice on the next steps.

Shortlisted applicants will be sent to the employer, to then follow their recruitment procedure. Unsuitable applicants will be signed posted to other areas of our service to develop transferable/ employability skills, with a view to ensuring they are suitable for other apprenticeship positions in the future.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The structure and delivery of the course curriculum will enable you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to reflect the needs of local and regional employers, gain qualifications and be successful in this area.

The curriculum is planned and sequenced to enable learners with previous knowledge and experience to develop the new skills needed to progress to the next stage of their career, training, education or employment.

The curriculum is flexible and responsive to learner demands and can be tailored to suit individual needs arising from any current and dynamic issues affecting their role, which can be addressed during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice you will need to be able to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills at the end of your apprenticeship training programme and understand how this reflects the needs of the local, regional and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

The Furniture Making Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship will develop the knowledge and understanding of:

  • The furniture industry function and role of the operative. Responsibilities, limits of role and escalation procedures.
  • Job specifications, technical drawings and technical information.
  • Planning for furniture manufacturing activity, work organisation, resources, materials and time management.
  • Safe systems of work including risk assessments.
  • Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role.
  • Environment and sustainability regulation, standards and guidance relevant to the occupation and the operative’s responsibilities.
  • Preparation and maintenance of the work area.
  • Workplace operating procedures. What they are and why they are important.
  • Tools and equipment used in furniture manufacturing.
  • Storage environment, for tools and equipment.
  • Maintenance of tools and equipment including pre-checks, inspections and tool condition.
  • Machinery used in furniture manufacturing.
  • Maintenance of machinery for furniture manufacturing activity.
  • Setting up machinery to perform furniture manufacturing operations.
  • Types of materials used in furniture making.
  • Jigs and templates. Purpose, condition and use.
  • Measuring and marking out of materials.
  • Furniture component manufacturing processes.
  • Types of jointing techniques used in making furniture.
  • Furniture assembly techniques.
  • Types of furniture fittings and fixtures.
  • Principles and techniques for finishing furniture surfaces, including spraying.
  • Rectification, repair and rework techniques used on manufactured furniture.
  • Methods for the handling and movement of products and components.
  • Quality assurance processes.
  • Methods of documenting work in progress for the furniture making activity.
  • Continuous improvement techniques: lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
  • Team working principles.
  • Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the impact on their work.
  • Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information.
  • Written communication techniques - electronic and paper. Industry terminology
  • Information and digital technology: email, collaboration packages, databases, equipment digital interfaces, management information systems, word processing, work sharing platforms, GDPR, cyber security.

Develop Skills in:

  • Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
  • Plan furniture making activity.
  • Prepare and maintain the work area.
  • Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Follow workplace operating procedures.
  • Store tools and equipment.
  • Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
  • Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery.
  • Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
  • Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
  • Apply preparation techniques to materials.
  • Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity.
  • Measure and mark out materials, including measurement tool calibration checks.
  • Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
  • Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
  • Assemble and secure furniture components in position.
  • Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
  • Follow quality assurance processes.
  • Pack and store components and products.
  • Record furniture making activity information.
  • Apply basic continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
  • Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
  • Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Use information technology and digital systems.
  • Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.

Develop and demonstrate the following behaviours:

  • Put health and safety first.
  • Take ownership of given work.
  • Consider the impact on the environment when using resources and carrying out work.
  • Team-focus to meet work goals.
  • Support an inclusive workplace for example, respectful of different views.
  • Seek learning and development opportunities.

On completion of the on-programme element of the apprenticeship you will enter gateway to the End Point Assessment, which is the final assessment. This will be conducted by an independent end point assessor who will grade the assessment.

 

End Point Assessment Methods

To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must have:

  • Have proof of English & maths GCSE minimum grade 1/ G or equivalent level 1 qualification.
  • Completed a showcase portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours.

 The End Point Assessment consists of:

  • Observation of Practice – 3hrs observed in the workplace (this includes Q&A).
  • Professional discussion – 70 mins (underpinned with a portfolio of evidence).

This standard will be graded as Distinction, Pass or Fail.

What could I do when I have finished this Apprenticeship?

You may gain employment with your employer and / or work towards another Apprenticeship, depending on job role, such as Lean Product Operative L2 or Team Leader L3.

You will also be given information and guidance to continue onto other courses.

Where and when will I learn?

During the course you will be expected to attend one of our training centres, once a month to work towards the mandatory elements of the standard via the e-portfolio. The remaining days will be spent working with your employer gaining the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in preparation for End Point Assessment (EPA). English and maths are embedded into your training programme. 

*Please note, Training can also take place via Teams and delivered anywhere in England.

This on-programme taught element will typically take 12 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area. The End Point Assessment will be completed within 3 months of completing the on-programme taught element.

This on-programme taught element will typically take 18 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area and may be reduced. The course duration is based on the apprentice working 30 hours per week but will be extended if the apprentice works less hours. The End Point Assessment will be completed within 3 months of completing the on-programme taught element.

How much will the Apprenticeship cost?

There are no fees for this apprenticeship.

What do I do next?

You can:

View our latest vacancies

Or you can:

  1. Apply for this apprenticeship area to be entered into a 'pool of candidates'. When a relevant vacancy becomes available we will contact you.
  2. If you are already employed in this area and wish to join the apprenticeship training, or have identified an employer wishing to start you as an apprentice in this area, please contact us

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