Jobs and Career Progression

Furniture Manufacturing Operative

What is work like?


Furniture manufacturing operatives make items of furniture by hand, or by using machines. Using electrical and hand tools, and sometimes computer-controlled machines, they make items such as chairs, tables, chests of drawers, fitted furniture and cabinets for storage or display.  A furniture manufacturing operative’s role can include:

Many manufacturers now make furniture for sale as flat packs. In such cases, operatives assemble the packs after cutting and shaping the items.
They normally work 39 hours a week. Shift work may sometimes be required and overtime is quite common. Operatives work in a factory or a workshop. These are often noisy and dusty. They might have to bend and stand for long periods and lift heavy weights. Protective clothing may be required.
Salaries for furniture manufacturing operatives range from around £12,000 to £20,000 a year.
Furniture manufacturing operatives should:

There are around 150,000 people working in the furniture manufacturing industry in the UK. Most businesses are small to medium-sized. Opportunities exist in most areas, although they are concentrated in major cities, the Midlands and the North West. There is a wide range of operative jobs available.
There are no specific entry qualifications, although GCSEs/S grades (A-E/1-5) may be required by some employers. Apprenticeships may be available for young people. There are no age restrictions for entry to the work.
Training is usually on the job, but may be combined with part-time study at college. Entrants can work towards qualifications such as the City & Guilds Certificate in Furniture Production.
With experience and additional qualifications, operatives may progress to craft cabinet making, furniture restoring or furniture design. Self-employment is also possible.

What is the work like?

Furniture manufacturing operatives make items of furniture by hand, or by using machines. They may also be known as wood machinists, hand craftspeople, upholsterers or furniture products operatives.
They use softwoods such as pine and hardwoods such as oak, walnut or teak. Sometimes they use other materials such as plastic, metal and glass. Using electrical and hand tools, and sometimes computer-controlled machines, they make items such as chairs, tables, chests of drawers, fitted furniture and cabinets for storage or display. Operatives:

More experienced operators may also work out the size of a piece of furniture and the amount of material needed. They might be responsible for choosing the materials needed for each item.
Many manufacturers now make furniture for sale as flat packs. In such cases, operatives assemble the pack after cutting and shaping the pieces. They add items such as nuts, bolts, screws, glue and handles, and pack each item with instructions to ensure that customers can complete the assembly at home.
Operatives may work in a factory or a workshop. Factories may be run by large organisations with many employees. Workshops are smaller and usually make more specialist furniture or cater for a special segment of the market. They may employ only a handful of operatives who are usually more skilled.
Starting salaries for furniture manufacturing operatives are from around £12,000 a year.

Hours and environment

Operatives normally work 39 hours a week. Shift work may be required and overtime is fairly common. They may need to work extra hours to meet seasonal peaks, or when the factory has a delivery deadline to meet.
Factories and workshops may be noisy and dusty. Some materials used for finishing work have a strong smell. Operatives may have to wear protective clothing together with a face mask and ear protectors for certain jobs. They might have to bend and stand for long periods, or lift heavy weights.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

Working overtime and shifts may increase pay.

Skills and personal qualities

Furniture manufacturing operatives should:

Interests

It is important to be interested in:

Getting in

Around 150,000 people work in the furniture manufacturing industry in the UK. There are over 7,600 furniture manufacturing businesses, with a further 12,000 in related businesses e.g. caravan manufacturing. Most of them are small or medium-sized companies, with a few large manufacturers.
There are manufacturing companies in most areas, although they are concentrated in major cities, the Midlands and the North West. In Scotland, they are mainly focussed in the Edinburgh and Livingston, Lanarkshire and Aberdeen areas.
There is a wide range of operative jobs available and with increased mechanisation and use of technology, the need for physical strength is being replaced in most cases with a need to understand IT, operate specialist machinery and understand the systems and processes involved in producing goods.
Vacancies may be advertised in local newspapers, Jobcentre Plus offices and Connexions centres. They are also posted on manufacturing jobs websites, such as www.tiptopjob.com .
Entry for young people
There are no specific entry qualifications, although GCSEs/S grades (A-E/1-5) are useful and may be required by some employers.
It may be possible for young people to train through an Apprenticeship.
There are Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships which may be available in England.  To find out which one is most appropriate log onto www.proskills.co.uk, www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact your local Connexions Partnership.
There are different arrangements for Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further information contact Careers Scotland www.careers-scotland.org.uk, Careers Wales www.careerswales.com; and for Northern Ireland contact COIU www.delni.gov.uk.
Entry for adults
There are no age restrictions for entry to this area of work. Relevant skills and experience are advantageous.

Training

Training is usually on the job. A new entrant may attend college on a part-time basis and work towards a relevant qualification, such as:

There is also an SQA HNC in Furniture Construction and Design, which lasts for one or two years. The qualifications included are usually a relevant SQA national certificate, SVQ or City & Guilds award.

Getting on

Experienced operatives may have the opportunity to progress to more senior roles. They may move into craft cabinet making, furniture restoration or furniture design. Some move into teaching. Self-employment is also possible.


 

 

 

For further information please see www.proskills.co.uk, email info@proskills.co.uk or call 01235 432 032.