Proskills: Making Skills Work

Typical Tasks

General Skills required

Experience requested

Qualifications

•  Fix lengths of webbing (like wide tape) onto the underside of the furniture frame, stretch and interlace with other webbing.
•  Lash tops of springs together to prevent sideways movement and fix hessian to the frame.
• Select materials for seat, back and arm fillings.
• Select type of seat and back support system.
• Prepare patterns and templates.
• Measure and cut covering material, join sections and fix fabric to the furniture frame.
• Cover staples/tacks with decorative braid, buttons or fancy nails and attach dust cloth to the underside of the furniture.
• Make and fill cushions.
• Repair frames and upholstery.
• Renovate and restore antique upholstered furniture.
• Sew fabrics together using industrial sewing machines

• Ability to perform manual tasks.
• Normal colour vision.
• Able to work neatly and accurately, often at speed.
• Able to work patiently and orderly.
• An interest in making quality furniture.
• Interest in fashion and style.
• Basic mathematical ability.
• Customer service skills.
• An eye for detail.
• Free from allergies to dust.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Physically fit.

This will be dependent on the job role at which you enter the industry; however if you have little or no experience 3 or more GCSEs at grade A to C are valued by employers.

A general interest in the craft

There are no fixed entry level requirements.

Qualifications valued by employers may include:

• GCSE’s, ideally grade A to C
• A Level’s
• NVQ L2/L3 in Making and Installing Furniture.
• NVQ L3 in Making and repairing Hand-Crafted Furniture.
• City and Guilds L4 Creative Arts Higher Professional Development Diploma.
• Furniture Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship.