Furniture Maker

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Furniture Maker. A Furniture Maker cuts, shapes, assembles, and finishes wooden articles, sets up and operates a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, mortises and tenon to surface, cut, or shape lumber and fabricate wooden products such as pedestals, chairs, tables, desks, cabinets, wall units, cupboards, bookcases, and parts for wooden articles. 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. • Assemble carcases and case goods and fit hinges, handles, runners, and legs using power tools such as drills, routers, biscuit jointers, jig saws and mitre saws and hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, hand saws, etc. • Prepare the product for final finishing and perform hand finishing and spray applications (conventional and pumps), performing colour matching to produce finished wooden furniture. • Perform joining, profiling, and cutting of components using jigs, and turning operations by operating spindles, overhead routers, mortise and tenon, multi borers and lathes. • Produce decorative joints and curved laminated components and fit fixtures using power tools, pneumatic tools, and hand tools. • Manufacture furniture prototypes, repair damaged furniture and produce jigs and templates for furniture manufacturing process.

Who should enrol? Individuals with some work experience or prior learning who wish to formalise their skills and advance their careers. The Furniture Maker 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.

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 the trade level and to be 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 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. This qualification creates opportunities for advancement for those skilled people who wish to further their training. The specialised skills provide for the necessary stepping stones creating multi-skilling opportunities for learners. At an entry level, learners will be enabled to read drawings and specifications, operate woodworking equipment and machines to machine, assemble and finish furniture. Learners will also be equipped at a more advance level to machine, assemble and finish crafted furniture and create and test prototypes. The competencies in this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation, empowerment, and upliftment within the furniture manufacturing environment, whilst simultaneously improving the skills base for 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. The National Occupational Certificate: Furniture Maker is designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding required to find employment in the furniture industry, whether in micro, small, medium, or large operations. Learners may find employment as wood machinists, furniture assemblers and furniture finishers or furniture prototype makers and furniture repairers. Typical learners for this qualification include school leavers wishing to enter the furniture-making industry, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who have no formal qualification, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who want to advance their skills or unemployed persons. No professional registration is needed for Furniture Makers to operate in the industry. Industry associations and labour organisations consulted include: • South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI). • Cape Furniture Manufacturers Association (CFMA). • KwaZulu Natal Furniture Manufacturers Association (KZNFMA). • Allied Business Association (ABA). • Garden Route Employers Association (GREA). • Furniture Bedding and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (FBUMA). • Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood, and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPAWU). • National Union of Furniture and Allied Workers South Africa (NUFAWSA).

• Interpret drawings and specifications for furniture making processes.
• Perform breakout, planning, sanding, and laminating operations to produce cut components for wood products.
• Join and assemble cut furniture components.
• Prepare the furniture product for final finishing and perform the hand finishing and spray applications to produce finished wooden furniture.
• Produce bored, edged, profiled, turned, and jointed timber, board, or components for crafted furniture.
• Produce decorative joints and curved and laminated components and fit fixtures for crafted furniture using power tools, pneumatic tools, and hand tools.
• Manufacture furniture prototypes, repair damaged furniture and produce jigs and templates for furniture manufacturing process.
• Demonstrate an understanding of furniture making process, materials, and technology.