Crafted Furniture Machinist

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Crafted Furniture Machinist. A Crafted Furniture Machinist produces bored, edged, profiled, turned and jointed timber, board or components for crafted furniture using advanced wood machines. A qualified learner will be able to: • Perform breakout, planning, sanding and laminating operations to produce components for wood products by operating cross-cut saws, rip saws, surface and thickness planers, panel saws, radial arm saws, band saws, edge and stroke sanders. • Perform joining, profiling, cutting of components using jigs, turning operations by operating spindles, overhead routers, mortise and tenon, multi borers and lathes.

The Crafted Furniture Machinist is intended for entry-level workers, school leavers, or career changers who want to gain foundational skills. If you have a passion for this field and want to turn that passion into a profession, this programme will give you the tools and credentials to succeed. It is also suitable for employers who wish to upskill their workforce to meet industry standards.

The shortage of skilled workers, rising production costs, and poor domestic demand negatively affect the performance of local furniture manufacturers. The cost of labour, electricity, raw materials and transport continue to shrink operating margins and make it difficult for furniture manufacturers to compete in local and international markets. The industry is also negatively affected by declining investments in capital equipment, insufficient research and development, and inadequate design improvement. Imported furniture is often cheaper than what is manufactured locally, and furniture imports grew beyond (R7 billion) during 2019 (according to the Furniture Industry Master Plan 2020). South African furniture manufacturers are also facing competition from Chinese furniture in their important export markets in Africa. With about 80% of the companies in the furniture manufacturing sector classified as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), these challenges impose significant pressure on the largest section of the industry. This highlights the need for this qualification; it could create opportunities for training and skilling current workforce as well as new entrants into the industry to make the industry more competitive and support the vision of the South African Furniture Industry for manufacturing locally and reducing the volume of imports. Industry engagements confirmed the dire need for employees who are skilled at trade level and who are able to create and test furniture prototypes throughout the furniture production process. There are no other similar qualifications on the NQF other than those to be replaced by this qualification. The Furniture Industry Master Plan (FIMP) was established by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) in partnership with the South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI) to set clear guidelines and targets for the furniture manufacturing industry, as well as guide public sector procurement as part of government's efforts to support and stimulate the industry. The furniture industry is one of the most labour-intensive industries, with a potential to contribute to the reduction of unemployment, development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and to increase exports. This identifies the importance of growing the furniture industry and signals the need for skilled and competent furniture makers in the furniture production process across the furniture manufacturing industry. Furthermore, it will benefit the manufacturing sector as well as the economy by reducing unemployment and improving entrepreneurial projects. The Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Crafted Furniture Machinist is designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding required to participate effectively in the furniture industry - whether in micro, small, medium or large operations. Learners may find employment as crafted furniture machinists or wood machinists. It includes a part qualification, namely the Elementary Occupational Certificate: Furniture Machine Operator which will provide for an intermediate exit point, where the learner has acquired a set of employable skills that could find them employment or self-employment in the industry. The competencies contained in this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation, empowerment and upliftment within the furniture manufacturing environment, whilst simultaneously improving the skills base of the furniture industry. This will enhance the international competitiveness of the furniture sector by means of improving productivity in the various furniture making departments and overall quality of products. Four distinct learner target groups have been identified, namely school leavers wishing to enter the furniture-making industry, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who have no formal qualification in furniture making, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who want to advance their skills or unemployed persons. No professional registration is needed for Crafted Furniture Machinist to operate in the industry. Industry associations consulted include: • Cape Furniture Manufacturers Association (CFMA). • KwaZulu Natal Furniture Manufacturers Association (KNFMA). • Allied Business Association (ABA). • Garden Route Employer Association (GREA). • Furniture Bedding and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (FBUMA). • The National Union of Furniture & Allied Workers SA (NUFAWSA). • The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPWAWU).

• Prepare for machining operations to produce cut components for crafted furniture.
• Apply procedures and techniques for machining wood or composite board to produce cut components for crafted furniture according to product specifications.
• Perform minor maintenance tasks for advanced woodwork machines to ensure serviceability of the machine.
• Apply quality, productivity, health and safety in a work environment.
• Explain the key principles involved in the manufacturing of crafted furniture and jointing, profiling, turning and cutting operations.
• Perform breakout, planning, sanding and laminating operations to produce cut components for wood products.