Furniture Finisher

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Furniture Finisher. A Furniture Finisher prepares the furniture product for final finishing and performs the hand finishing and spraying applications to produce finished wooden furniture. A qualified learner will be able to: • Prepare the product for final finishing and perform the hand finishing and spray applications (conventional and pumps), performing colour matching to produce finished wooden furniture.

Who should enrol? Entry-level workers, school leavers, or career changers who want to gain foundational skills. The Furniture Finisher welcomes learners from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited formal education but relevant practical experience. The flexible learning approach ensures that everyone can progress at their own pace while achieving the same high standard of competence.

A shortage of higher-skilled workers, rising production costs, and poor domestic demand are affecting the performance of local furniture manufacturers. The cost of labour, electricity, raw materials and transportation continue to shrink operating margins and make it difficult for them to compete in local and international markets. The industry is also negatively affected by declining investment in capital equipment, insufficient research and development, and little design improvement or new product development. Imported furniture is often cheaper than what is manufactured locally, and furniture imports grew beyond R7bn 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 micro enterprises, these challenges impose significant pressure on the bulk of players in the industry. There are no other similar qualifications on the NQF. The Furniture Industry Master Plan (FIMP) was established by the South African Government 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, and increase export and development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMES). It contributes to the geographical spread of economic activity, since the products can be developed in rural areas with minimal investment. The above identifies to the importance to grow the furniture industry and signals the need for skilled and competent furniture makers at various levels of the furniture production process, whether big companies, or small enterprises or entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it clearly defines the benefits to the sector as well as the economy. The Occupational certificate: Furniture Finisher 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 furniture finishers. The Occupational certificate: Furniture Finisher is one of two-part qualifications of the Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Crafted Furniture Assembler. These part qualifications create appropriate exit points where learners may exit the learning with industry required employable skills. 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 Furniture Finisher 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 finishing of wooden furniture.
• Select and mix chemicals and solvents in the furniture finishing department to produce finished furniture components to specifications.
• Produce finished furniture components and furniture to specifications.
• Inspect the finished product, visually and by feel, checking against specification and applying tolerances to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Conclude finishing operations.
• Explain principles and procedures involved in basic furniture finishing processes in the bulk production of furniture.