Upholsterer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course, like a:

• Level 2 Certificate in Upholstery
• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Furnishings - Traditional Upholstery
• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Furnishings - Modern Upholstery

Courses like these may be useful when looking for a trainee upholsterer job with a company.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a furniture manufacturer intermediate apprenticeship or upholsterer advanced apprenticeship.

These typically take 24 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to get work as a trainee upholsterer, without any experience. You would then do qualifications and get experience on the job.

OtherRoutes

You can train for upholstery qualifications with the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers . These may be useful when looking for a job or help if you're looking to set up your own business.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to enjoy working with other people
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• concentration skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• complex problem-solving skills
• knowledge of maths
• customer service skills

What you'll do:

Upholsterers pad, cover and re-cover furniture with materials like leather, suede or cotton.

In this job you could:

• plan work, advise on fabrics and estimate costs
• prepare patterns and templates
• cut fabric to correct measurements
• fix webbing and springs
• cover furniture frames with padding and fabric, using stitching, staples, tacks or glue
• make soft furnishings like cushions
• add trimmings like piping, fringing and buttons
• remove old upholstery and repair frames before re-upholstering

Location : You could work in a workshop, in a factory, at a client's business or at a client's home.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £15,000
Experienced : £30,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

43 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

Career Path:

With experience, you could move into a supervisory or management position.

You could specialise in re-upholstering antique furniture or work in interior design.

You could become self-employed and set up your own upholstery business.

You could teach your upholstery skills to apprentices and students in further education.

Find out more about teaching in further education from Teach in further education .