Upholsterer

Upholsterer

On an upholsterer apprenticeship course you’ll help make and repair upholstered furniture.

This role is widespread in the furniture, furnishings, and interiors industry, but it may also be found in the automotive and marine sectors, which use upholstered items like seats.

Preparing and cutting textiles, creating/repairing frames and joints, selecting and applying suspensions, and upholstering frames will all be part of your primary purpose.

As an apprentice upholsterer, you’ll be a skilled and diligent individual capable of creating aesthetically appealing and useful consumer products by designing ergonomic and pleasant furniture using traditional or modern processes, materials, and fabrics.

Among the people, you’ll interact with are production and manufacturing managers, quality technicians, production leaders, designers, and product developers.

You’ll be responsible for interacting with colleagues, suppliers, and customers, and you’ll either work alone or in small groups with other upholsterers. Your work might occur in small artisan workshops and large production plants.

What you’ll learn

On an upholsterer apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

  • Work safely at all times.
  • Prepare and combine fabric components using advanced fluting, float, deep-buttoning, and other decorative finishing methods.
  • Create templates before laying out and cutting cloth.
  • Examine the upholstery frames for any damage and make any required repairs.
  • Leather faults such as scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, watermarks, and discolouration should be recognised, noted, and rectified.
  • Examine the quality of upholstery to confirm that it complies with industry-specific rules, regulations, and standards.
  • Use basic project management techniques.
  • Use suitable communication methods at all levels, including written and verbal communication.
  • Meet budgets adequately manage upholstery resources such as materials, components, and time.
  • Choose from a choice of filling materials, including natural and synthetic fillings, then install them.
  • Use traditional upholstery materials and fabrics such as hessian and linen to refurbish antique/old furniture.
  • Remove the upholstery from the frames using the proper tools and processes.
  • Produce and construct bespoke furniture using cutting-edge methods.
  • Design and build one-of-a-kind furniture using modern production technology.
  • Recognise and resolve differences using essential conflict resolution skills.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • Depending on employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.
  • Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment consists of three distinct assessment methods: 

  • Multiple Choice Test
  • Observation with questions 
  • Professional Discussion supported by ‘Portfolio of evidence.

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

  • Duration: 24 months
  • Level: 3 – Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Relevant school subjects: DT, art
  • Potential salary upon completion: £21,000

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 3 Upholsterer Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.

Updated on January 21, 2024

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