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Furniture Manufacturing Operative

Do you want to become a Furniture Manufacturing Operative? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

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. Furniture manufacturing operatives:

• cut and shape the item
• assemble the pieces together
• smooth the surface of the item
• finish the item with polish or varnish
• add handles and hinges, and upholster the furniture if required.

Many manufacturers now make furniture for sale as flatpacks. 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:

• be good at working with their hands
• have normal eyesight and good hand-to-eye co-ordination
• be able to concentrate on repetitive tasks
• be good at judging colour and shape
• be patient, careful and accurate in their work
• be interested in practical work.

There are around 130,000 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 Manufacturing Furniture.

With experience and additional qualifications, operatives may progress to craft cabinet making, furniture restoring or furniture design. Self-employment is also possible.

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