Upholstery

As an upholsterer, you would upholstery and cover furniture such as chairs, bedheads and sofas. Your job could involve either of the following:

• upholstering complete items or particular parts like chair or sofa arms for domestic and/or commercial
furniture (MODERN UPHOLSTERY)
• craft work on individual pieces of new furniture or renovation or re-upholstery of old or antique furniture (TRADITIONAL UPHOLSTERY)

Work based learning will provide hands on experience and help to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge to meet your employer business needs

Experienced Upholsterys can make decisions such as the type of material needed to make components / products, the ability to follow technical drawings, skills to work out amount of materials needed.

• Prepare drawings from specifications or determine job requirements by examining drawings and specifications.
• Select and prepare materials and components
• Repair damaged items.
• Fix lengths of webbing onto the underside of the furniture frame, stretch and interlace with other webbing.
• Secure 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

As part of your Apprenticeship, you will achieve a number of recognised qualifications.
• Diploma (NVQ) in Furniture (demonstrating your practical skills)
• Technical Certificate in Upholstery (demonstrating your knowledge and understanding)
• Key Skills

• From 1 to 3 years to Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 (dependant on individual abilities and business
needs). Apprenticeship at Level 2, achieved in the first instance.

Progression

Progression can include the following:
• CAD / Designer
• Quality Control
• Production Manager / Supervisor
• Health & Safety

Cost

• FREE for 16-18 year olds
• 19 + employer contribution POA
• Employers who pay Constructions Skills maybe eligible for additional grants