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- Tasks: Learn to craft high-quality furniture components using safe tools and machinery.
- Company: Join a hands-on vocational programme with experienced tutors in well-equipped workshops.
- Benefits: Gain practical skills, work experience, and opportunities for competitions and exhibitions.
- Why this job: Turn your creativity into craftsmanship and build a rewarding career in furniture making.
- Qualifications: 3 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, or a relevant Level 1 qualification.
- Other info: Progress to advanced diplomas or apprenticeships and specialise in various furniture-making techniques.
The predicted salary is between 800 - 1400 £ per month.
The Level 2 Diploma in Furniture Making is a practical, employer focused course that builds accurate setting out, safe tool and machinery use, and the manufacture of high quality furniture components. You will learn to read drawings, create cutting lists, select and prepare timber and panel products, and produce frames, carcasses, doors, and drawers using core joints and reliable assembly methods. Training develops confident hand skills—sawing, planing, chiselling, scraping, and fine fitting—alongside approved machine operations such as saws, planers, thicknessers, routers, and sanders with correct guards and extraction. You will practise laminating and basic veneering, install fittings and ironmongery, and achieve consistent surface preparation and finishing to commercial tolerances. Teaching takes place in well equipped workshops with industry experienced tutors on structured, portfolio worthy projects.
Assessment combines online or written knowledge tests, observed practical tasks, and a synoptic assignment where you plan, set out, manufacture, assemble, and finish a complete piece to specification and deadline. On completion, you can progress to a Level 3 programme, an Apprenticeship, or step into employment as a trainee cabinet maker or bench joiner.
Entry Requirements
- 3 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, or a relevant Level 1 qualification.
Modules
- Health, safety, and environmental practice
- Principles of furniture construction and drawings
- Measuring, setting out, and cutting lists
- Timber and panel products: selection and preparation
- Hand tool skills: sawing, planing, chiselling, scraping, and fitting
- Portable power tools: safe setup and operation
- Machine woodworking basics: saws, planers, thicknessers, routers, and sanders
- Core joints and assemblies: dowel, mortise and tenon, dovetail (intro), mitres, and carcase work
- Frames, carcasses, and panel construction
- Doors and drawers: manufacture and accurate fitting
- Fittings and ironmongery: hinges, runners, catches, and handles
- Basic veneering and laminating
- Surface preparation and finishing: filling, sanding, stains, oils, and lacquers
- Quality checks and defect prevention: tolerances, squareness, and flatness
- Synoptic project and portfolio: plan, manufacture, assemble, and finish a complete piece to specification and deadline
Assessment
- Observed practical assessments: Plan, set out, machine, hand fit, assemble, and finish components and small projects to drawings, dimensions, and tolerances, demonstrating safe working.
- Synoptic practical assignment: A timed end project where you manufacture, assemble, and finish a complete piece to specification and deadline, evidencing quality and consistency.
- Online or written knowledge tests: Health and safety, materials and timber science, tools and machinery, joints and construction methods, finishing systems, and workflow planning.
- Portfolio of evidence: Drawings, cutting lists, jigs and templates, risk assessments, method statements, in process and final photographs, finishing schedules, and quality check sheets mapped to outcomes.
- Professional discussion and questioning: Assessor confirms understanding, problem solving, sustainability choices, and rationale for process, tool, and finish selection.
- Ongoing skills reviews: Regular feedback on precision, finish quality, productivity, tool care, housekeeping, and adherence to health, safety, and environmental requirements.
After the Level 2 Diploma in Furniture Making, you can progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Furniture Making or a Furniture Maker or Cabinet Maker Apprenticeship to build advanced skills and on the job experience. Many learners also work toward an NVQ via on site assessment to evidence occupational competence and support applications for the appropriate industry card, subject to scheme rules. Entry level roles include trainee cabinet maker, bench joiner, workshop assistant, prototype or model maker assistant, and junior finisher in furniture or interiors firms. With experience, you can specialise in veneering and marquetry, curved and laminated work, high quality finishing, or CNC assisted production, and move toward roles such as skilled cabinet maker, lead bench joiner, production technician, estimator, or workshop supervisor, with the option to develop a self employed practice backed by a strong portfolio.
Equipment Needed
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Safety boots and workwear which must be durable trousers and long‑sleeve layers.
Equipment Supplied
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Safety glasses, High‑viz jackets, hard hats, dust mask/respirator, core hand tools, portable power tools, and consumables.
We are focused on links with community projects, offering the opportunity for work experience. We regularly host and put students forward for regional and national skills competitions, such as Skill‑Build/Worldskills. You will visit national trade exhibitions.
Vocational Furniture Making in Burnley employer: BURNLEY COLLEGE
Contact Detail:
BURNLEY COLLEGE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vocational Furniture Making in Burnley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend workshops, and join furniture making forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best work, including projects from your training. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can do and set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply online—get proactive! Visit local furniture shops or workshops, introduce yourself, and ask if they’re hiring. A personal touch can make all the difference in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and adapting! Stay updated on the latest trends and techniques in furniture making. This shows employers that you’re passionate and committed to your craft, making you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Vocational Furniture Making in Burnley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Furniture Making: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for furniture making shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects you've worked on that demonstrate your interest in the craft. We love to see candidates who are genuinely excited about what they do.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Level 2 Diploma in Furniture Making. Highlight skills that match the job description, like your hand tool skills or experience with machinery. This shows us that you understand what we're looking for and that you're a great fit for the course.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant to furniture making. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and get straight to the important stuff—your skills and experiences!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the course. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we offer at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at BURNLEY COLLEGE
✨Know Your Craft
Make sure you brush up on your furniture making skills and knowledge. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques, tools, and materials you've worked with. This shows your passion and understanding of the trade.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Bring along a portfolio that highlights your best work. Include photographs of completed projects, cutting lists, and any drawings you've created. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress potential employers.
✨Practice Safety First
Since health and safety is crucial in this field, be ready to talk about your experience with PPE and safe tool operation. Mention any specific safety protocols you follow when working with machinery and hand tools.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the company’s projects or their approach to furniture making. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.
