WEBS Training are now offering a new apprenticeship course – Level 2 Furniture Finisher.
This will include both hand finishing and spray finishing, making it a great choice for a range of furniture businesses.
The course is being supported by Kortec, suppliers of quality coating materials, meaning future apprentices on the course will be training using industry standard tools and materials.
In addition to the finishing techniques, the course also covers the skills of colour matching, along with restoration and reviving surfaces. With an increased consumer interest in reducing waste and recycling, furniture finishing is seeing the launch of many smaller businesses specialising in spraying furniture, along with demands from larger businesses.
On the introduction of the course, Managing Director James Woolley says: “We can offer a taster for furniture finishing within our other standards, but we have seen increased demand and requests from employers for a course specifically for finishing. Previously we have offered a furniture finishing course, which we had removed a few years ago due to reduced interest – polishers in companies tend to stay in their role for years!
“We are always keen to respond to the needs of employers – so with the resurgence of interest in furniture finishing we are pleased to announce that the Level 2 Furniture Finisher standard will become another WEBS course offering that supports the furniture industry.”
Upskill and Cross-Train
“The requests for the course haven’t all come through the need to replace members of staff either – yes, there are businesses that need to refresh workforces, but this course is great for those already in the trade. Someone may be working in component manufacture or finished-good production and assembly – this can be a whole new skill for them.”
“Seizing opportunities for training and development creates a workforce that is versatile to the organisation – and also engages workers by giving them new skills.”
Additional skills development across all of WEBS Training’s courses
The current apprenticeship standards allow an individual to complete multiple apprenticeships of the same level – should someone wish to change direction or specialise in a new skill.
James explains further: “Using additional apprenticeships as continual development applies to our other courses too – even if an employee has completed an apprenticeship previously, they can still access other apprenticeship courses of the same level to add to their skill set. Upholsterers can learn frame making with Level 2 Furniture Making Operative, mattress manufacturers can learn headboard upholstery with Level 2 Modern Upholsterer – and with our new course Level 2 Furniture Finisher, timber furniture makers can now specialise in finishing too.”
The details: Level 2 Furniture Finisher
The course duration is 18 months, with a full levy cost of £9,000 (95-100% of this cost is funded by the government for non-levy payers)
- Hand finishing and spray finishing
- Suitable for wood and manufactured board
- Operating tools and equipment
- Colour matching
- Decorative effects
- Problem solving
- Industry skills: managing stakeholders, 5S, documentation, legal compliances
