Fine Furniture

If you are looking for a fulfilling career that combines creativity and practical skills, this could be ideal for you. Fine furniture makers produce high quality bespoke pieces for prestigious clients. This is a sought after craft that sets apart carefully produced designs from mass produced furniture that has a built in lifespan. Throughout your training you will have the opportunity to produce exhibition grade work which you can use to start building your portfolio. To be a fine furniture maker, you should have practical skills for using hand and machine tools. You will need to able to understand designs and technical drawings. You will also need patience and attention to detail. As a fine furniture maker, you may work in one or more of the following areas: · Creating a design drawing of the furniture · Deciding on the quantity and type of wood needed and the construction method · Buying the wood from suppliers such as timber yards · Cutting, shaping and planing the wood, using electric and hand tools · Adding fixed or movable parts such as supports, hinges, handles and locks · Polishing the assembled piece of furniture (this may be done by a French polisher). · If you deal directly with customers, you would also discuss designs and agree prices To become a fine furniture maker, you will need to have: · Practical skills for using hand and machine tools · The ability to understand, draft or adapt designs and technical drawings · The ability to work out quantities, measurements and costs · Patience, accuracy and attention to detail · Good customer service skills · Business skills if self-employed Salary range: £12,000 - £30,000+ Average hours per week: 40

You will need suitable protective clothing and steel toe-capped shoes or boots. You may also be expected to pay for entrance fees to some industry shows, but full details will be given to you at the beginning of the course. Students will be asked to provide some of their own materials but this will be discussed at the start of the course

4 GCSE grades A*- C including Maths Mature Students will recieve an interview with the course leader to ensure that this is the right course for you.

On successful completion of this course you may choose to undertake further qualifications to develop your skills and go on to produce more complex designs.