Furniture fancy for upholsterers.

U is for upholsterer

Home makeover programmes have proved popular over recent years.

Soft furnishings and the like form an important part of the fabric when it comes to the way people's homes look.

And upholsterers play a large part in this - shaping and covering furniture such as chairs, bedheads and sofas.

The two main types of work are production and craft upholstery.

Production upholstery generally involves work with new furniture, using pre-cut materials.

Some upholsters may be employed working on a particular part of the job, while others work on the item as a whole.

Craft upholsterers work on new furniture, renovate or re-upholster old and antique furniture, and use a variety of tools and materials.

They may be required to give advice and estimate the costs of repairs.

Working hours vary, but some evening and weekend work may be required.

Upholsterers are usually employed in factories or in traditional craft workshops.

To be an upholster you should:

* Be very skilled at taking measurements and calculating quantities.

* Be able to pay good attention to detail and accuracy.

* Be practical and enjoy using machinery and tools.

* Have an interest in furniture design and history.

* Have an appreciation of fabrics, colour and design.

* Have patience and perserverance.

* Be physically fit as the work involves moving furniture.

* Be safety conscious; well organised and tidy.

* Be self-motivated and able to work without supervision, particularly if self-employed.

* Have good interpersonal skills in order to get on with customers and colleagues.

* If self-employed, have good business skills.

No formal qualifications are required to work as an upholsterer, although GCSEs (A-E)/S grades (1-5) may be required by some employers.

Entrance for young people is often through a work-based training scheme, such as an apprenticeship.

Mature entrants seeking employment in production upholstery are likely to be employed on the strength of their previous practical skills and experience, and be trained on-the-job in relevant aspects of the production process.

Those intending to become self-employed, or to work in workshops would usually acquire relevant skills and/or qualifications before employment.

Craft skills and qualifications can be gained in a number of ways. City and Guilds Creative Skills Certificate (7802) is a level 2 qualification for those who want to pursue their interest in a variety of crafts, including soft furnishing, beyond an introductory level.

City and Guilds NVQ/SVQ Levels 1 in Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors (5614) can usually be undertaken by those not in relevant employment.

City and Guilds also award a Progression Award in Furniture (6955), which includes traditional and modern upholstery. This can usually be completed by those who are not in related employment, or as preparation for the NVQ.

Upholstery is just one aspect of furniture construction and restoration, so it will usually be only part of wider furniture courses.

BTEC National and Higher National Diploma awards are available in furniture making and restoration and in furniture design.

Degree courses in furniture production and furniture design are also available.

Minimum entry for a degree course is five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) with two A levels/three H grades or equivalent.

The Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors National Training Organisation (FFINTO) and the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) provide training in business and marketing skills for self-employed upholsterers.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors National Training Organisation (FFINTO)

The Poplars

Wollaton Road

Beeston

Nottinghamshire

NG9 2PD

Tel: [phone]

www.ffinto.org

The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers

102a Commercial Street

Newport

South Wales 

NP20 1LU

Tel: [phone]

www.upholsterers.co.uk

www.learndirect-advice.co.uk

www.apprenticeships.org.uk