Summary
We are currently looking for an enthusiastic person to join our existing highly skilled team of furniture making operatives. Throughout your course, you will be taught on all aspects of manufacturing and assembly of high quality components. The long-term aim is to successfully train someone who will become an essential full-time member of the team.
Wage
£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Furniture making operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am to 4.30pm. Friday, 8.00am - 3.30pm.
39 hours a week
Start date
Monday 1 September 2025
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent in the workplace, learning on the job by getting hands-on experience.
Main duties include but not limited to:
* Learning how to operate and set all aspects of machinery used in furniture manufacturing
* Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity
* Set up and operate machinery, tools and equipment used to produce furniture
* Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping
* Assemble and secure furniture components in position
* Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture
* Pack and store components and products
Where you'll work
Unit 34
Northfield Way, Aycliffe Business Park
Newton Aycliffe
DL5 6UF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
Training course
Furniture making operative (level 2)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
* Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
* Prepare and maintain the work area.
* Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
* Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
* Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
* Follow workplace operating procedures.
* Store tools and equipment.
* Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
* Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
* Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
* Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
* Apply preparation techniques to materials.
* Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
* Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
* Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
* Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
* Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
* Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
* Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
* Follow quality assurance processes.
* Pack and store components and products.
* Record furniture making activity information - paper based or electronic.
* Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
* Apply team working principles.
* Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
* Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
* Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
* Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
* Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
* Undertake and record learning and development activities.
* Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
* Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
* Prepare and maintain the work area.
* Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
* Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
* Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
* Follow workplace operating procedures.
* Store tools and equipment.
* Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
* Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
* Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
* Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
* Apply preparation techniques to materials.
* Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
* Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
* Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
* Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
* Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
* Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
* Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
* Follow quality assurance processes.
* Pack and store components and products.
* Record furniture making activity information - paper based or electronic.
* Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
* Apply team working principles.
* Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
* Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
* Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
* Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
* Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
* Undertake and record learning and development activities.
Training schedule
You will be completing the Level 2 Furniture Maker Apprenticeship Standard with Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills, Darlington.
This Apprenticeship is designed to equip participants with the fundamentals required to start a successful career. The programme can be delivered using a blend of on-line, anytime learning and expert-led classroom training covering core topics.
Throughout this Apprenticeship, participants will be supported by tutors who have worked in this environment and have gained many years of experience and who can truly support you to develop the skills and knowledge required to work in a wide range of manufacturing roles.
More training information
Training will be provided to achieve the following qualifications:
Level 2 Furniture Making Operative Apprenticeship Standard
Training will take place weekly, primarily remotely, but could require the apprentices to visit the Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills training centre (DL1 4QZ). During the course you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure these exceed the minimum requirements for the Furniture Making Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4+/ C+)
* maths (grade 4+/ C+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Number skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
You may be required to attend our training centre in Darlington (DL1 4QZ) and you will need to make your own way there for training. Travel to and from the employer, based at Unit 34 Northfield Way, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6UF.