Furniture Making Functional Map

    

All furniture occupations:

    
Area Function Ref NOS
Health, Safety and Environment Comply with health, safety and environmental requirements, relevant statutory regulations and industry standards/codes of practice at all times.  Knowledge and understanding of the relevant health, safety and environmental requirements and regulations. Understand sustainability within the industry. PROGEN20 Comply with health and safety requirements in the workplace
Maintain Tools & Equipment  Perform regular autonomous maintenance tasks on machinery, tools and equipment used. PROGEN08 Maintain tools and equipment 
Problem Solving  Identify issues quickly, solve problems and apply appropriate solutions.  PROGEN18 Solve problems in the workplace
Achieve quality and output targets  Carry out work to required quality standards and output targets. High attention to detail, must monitor and check work meets specifications and must follow methodology and processes.  Know the quality standards which apply to the products and how to check that these have been met.  Read and interpret specifications, drawings, cutting lists and other relevant technical information used within your organisation. PROGEN19 Maintain quality standards 
Collaboration & Adaptability Work effectively with others in a team whilst maintaining effective professional working relationships.  Actively engage in wider business and look to provide information that positively contributes to the business.  Willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements. PROFM25 Work effectively in a team
       

General Manufacturers

    
Furniture Manufacturers are skilled craftsmen/women who make pieces of furniture.  They may work in a small, independent shop that produces custom furniture or in a factory that mass-produces pieces of furniture.  They will manufacture furniture such as:
•           Domestic – kitchens, bedrooms, living room and other items for the home  
•           Office - desk, seating, tables and other items for the office environment  
•           Contract - furniture for public areas such as hospitals, schools, hotels and airports  
•           Manufacture of high-quality wooden components    
Area Function REF NOS 
Machinery, Tools and Equipment  Set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce furniture.  Understand tools and equipment used PROFM45 Set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment
Components Make components of furniture to specification within acceptable tolerances. Understand how and where components are used PROFM46 Make components of furniture   
Cutting  Use appropriate equipment to cut materials within acceptable tolerances PROWPF05 Prepare, set up and operate cutting machinery
Joints Understand the principles of joints used in making hand-crafted furniture PROFFI13 Cut and join components  
Veneers and Laminates  Select, prepare and apply veneers to items of furniture PROFM47 Select, prepare and apply veneers
Assembly  Assemble components of furniture. Understand the sequence of assembly and why this is important PROWPF03 Assemble components
Finishing  Apply stains, sealers, basecoats and finishes to production furniture PROWPM32 Apply finishing applications 
Measure and Mark Out  Measure and mark out materials to specification  PROFFI04 Measure and mark out furniture components
Sanding  Sand materials for preparation prior to assembly, post-assembly and de-nibbing. Understand grit sizes and the process of sanding PROFFI11 Sand wooden components  
Cramping  Position components and apply cramps to ensure products are positioned securely to specification  PROFFI10 Cramp components
Fittings  Prepare and assemble components to specification, finishing and checking the assembly conforms to specifications PROFFI14 Attach fittings to furniture
Gluing  Apply adhesives to components. Understand types, methods and processes involved in gluing PROFM48 Apply adhesives to components
Jigs and Templates Use and maintain jigs and templates for furniture production.   PROFM37 Produce and maintain jigs and templates  
Edge Banding  Carry out edge-banding process following standard operating procedures.   PROWPF019 Apply edge treatment finishes 
Electrical/ Mechanical Fittings  Fit mechanical or electrical components to furniture PROFFI15 First fit mechanical or electrical components to furniture 
Rectification/ Rework  Carry out rectification or rework.  This includes assessing and repairing items PROFM49 Carry out rectification or rework
Safe Handling and Storage  Pack and store products and components following standard operating procedures. Understand and follow procedures for safe handling of products PROFM50 Pack and store products and components
       

Bespoke Furniture Maker

    
The broad purpose of the occupation is to produce and assemble bespoke pieces of furniture to meet individual customers’ requirements. This can cover pieces such as tables, chairs, cabinets, office furniture, kitchens and bedrooms.  
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for interpreting and challenging designs and offering solutions, selecting appropriate materials, making the components and assembling pieces of furniture using machinery and hand production techniques.  Bespoke Furniture Makers also produce prototypes to bring designs to life, they will produce complex jigs and templates. They attend design meetings to contribute to designs regarding feasibility and costs.
Bespoke Furniture Makers will also need to coach and mentor apprentices, trainees and other colleagues.  Bespoke Furniture Makers work with and need to understand a variety of materials – including wood, metals, glass, plastics, fabric, finishes and other relevant materials.
       
  Function REF NOS 
  Interpret and challenge furniture designs and offer solutions to any issues or problems that may occur PROFM51 Interpret furniture designs 
  Select appropriate materials for the design to be produced PROFM52 Source and select appropriate materials
  Develop work schedules to meet company objectives  PROFM39 Produce furniture production specifications  
  Make furniture components to meet specifications PROFM46 Make components of furniture   
  Set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment PROFM45 Set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment
  Assemble furniture components PROWPF03 Assemble components
  Finish products to meet customer expectations PROWPM32 Apply finishing applications 
  Develop self and others PROFM53 Develop self and others