Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Advanced upholsterer standard?
Knowledge
K1: Health, safety and environmental management and risk assessment for example Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAWA), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and manual handling
K2: Fabric characteristics, identification and appropriate usage of fabrics
K3: How to create templates, lay, cut, prepare and sew fabric components
K4: Upholstery frame construction and repair techniques for example jointing, gluing and replacing components
K5: Leather faults and how to mark and resolve for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration in leather
K6: Upholstery industry specific regulations, legislation and standards, covering flammability regulations, British Standards, CE Marks (Conformité Européenne), Intellectual Property and renewable practices
K7: How to realise and manage customer expectations for example statutory rights and responsibilities, consumer rights, lead times, after sales support
K8: Basic project management including principles and techniques of good project management
K9: Effective communication skills and techniques including verbal, written and physical non-verbal
K10: How to manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets for example raw materials
K11: Industry materials including fabrics, springs, fillings, frames, linings, trimmings, legs, feet and castors
K12: Modern and traditional manufacturing methods for example traditional hand techniques and modern machinery techniques
K13: Ergonomic and aesthetic design principles in the upholstery industry
K14: Different types of filling materials and when they should be used for example polyurethane foam, synthetic cotton and feathers
K15: Styles, periods and iconic designers from pre-20th Century, 20th Century including 1930s art deco through to current trends and history of upholstered furniture, materials and methods
K16: Traditional upholstery methods for example hand stitching, tacking and stuffing
K17: How to create, renovate or restore furniture pieces for example re-covering or replacement fillings
K18: How to strip back old/antique upholstery in order to start the restoration/repair
K19: Budgeting, including providing customer estimates and costing projects
K20: How to finish show wood frames for example French polishing
K21: Modern upholstery techniques including the use of power tools and machinery
K22: Modern methods of bespoke furniture production and assembly including stapling, machine sewing
K23: History of upholstered furniture and styles, periods and iconic designers of the 20th & 21st Century
K24: How to design, bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods
K25: Materials, construction methods and product specifications used in modern upholstery, for example boards, springs, spring units, webbing, alternative support systems, fastenings and fabrics
K26: Limitations relating to process and end uses and how to identify these
K27: How to provide estimates to customers and cost projects
K28: Equality and diversity and how this applies in the workplace
K29: Conflict management
Skills
S1: Work safely at all times
S2: Prepare and sew fabric components using advanced methods for example fluting, float, deep-buttoning and other decorative detailing
S3: Create templates, lay and cut fabric components
S4: Evaluate upholstery frames and repair as required
S5: Identify, mark and resolve faults in leather for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration
S6: Quality assure upholstery products to meet relevant industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
S7: Realise and manage customer expectations
S8: Apply basic project management techniques
S9: Apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills
S10: Manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets including materials, components and time
S11: Define materials, construction methods and product specifications for furniture to be produced
S12: Select and fix different types of filling materials for example natural and manmade fillings
S13: Select and apply materials for suspensions including springs, sprung units, suspension systems and webbing
S14: Upholster products using traditional materials and methods such as using materials like coil springs (post-1850), animal hair (horse, hog and cow), coir, fibres, hessians, linen scrims, wadding by hand, building each layer up
S15: Apply traditional upholstery techniques, for example hand stuffing, hand stitching and tacking in order to renovate/restore furniture pieces
S16: Apply traditional upholstery materials and fabrics for example hessian and linen to repair antique/old furniture
S17: Strip back upholstery to frames using appropriate tools and methods
S18: Provide accurate estimates to customers
S19: Identify the process to finish / repair show wood frames
S20: Upholster products using advanced modern methods for example stapling, machine sewing
S21: Use power tools and machinery to upholster products for example CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) cutting machinery and staple guns
S22: Produce & assemble bespoke pieces of furniture using modern methods
S23: Design and create bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods
S24: Define manufacturing processes for furniture to be produced
S25: Set timescales and costings for furniture to be produced
S26: Provide accurate estimates to customers
S27: Manage self and others to achieve objectives and lead teams by providing directions, instructions and guidance
S28: Apply coaching, mentoring and team development techniques such as the GROW model (Goal, Current Reality, Options (or Obstacles) Will (or Way Forward) and apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts
S29: Apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts
Behaviours
B1: Have a safety-first attitude, ensuring the safety of self and others as appropriate
B2: Is customer focused, demonstrate behaviour that puts the customer first
B3: Commit to achieving and maintaining upholstery quality standards and efficiently rates
B4: Has a calm and reasonable approach when completing upholstery tasks
B5: Approaches each task with enthusiasm and demonstrates a high level of motivation and resilience when facing challenges
B6: Thorough and accurate when accomplishing upholstery tasks
B7: Adheres to company values
B8: Be reflective on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seek opportunities to develop and advance skills in response to the evolving manufacturing environment and technologies
B9: Demonstrate confidence in your ability and enthusiasm as an upholsterer
Core occupation duties
DUTY: Work safely at all times following relevant legislation and regulations ensuring self and others safety
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Following relevant health and safety legislation and guidance
K1
S1
B1
DUTY: Prepare, cut and sew fabric components for upholstery products to specification
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with specifications
K2
K3
S2
S3
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
DUTY: Evaluate construction of / repair upholstery frames and joints using appropriate tools and equipment
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with customer expectations and specifications
K4
S4
B3
B6
DUTY: Identify any faults in hides of leather and propose solutions so it can be used in upholstery
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with specifications
K5
S5
B3
B6
DUTY: Ensure upholstery products meet industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
K6
S6
B2
B3
B7
DUTY: Realise and maintain customers’ expectations when upholstering products
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with customer expectations
K7
S7
B2
B3
B7
DUTY: Manage internal upholstery projects from conception to successful completion. This can include projects such as creating bespoke pieces of furniture and introducing new products and materials.
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with agreed timescales and costs
K8
S8
B2
B3
B7
DUTY: Effectively communicate with colleagues and customers (internal/external)
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Communicated clearly and succinctly
K9
S9
DUTY: Manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with agreed budgets
K10
S10
B3
B7
DUTY: Develop furniture product specifications and standard operating procedures for upholstered products
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with industry standards
K11
K12
K13
S11
B3
B6
DUTY: Select and apply suitable upholstery fillings and suspensions using traditional or modern techniques
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with agreed timescales and specifications
K14
S12
S13
B1
B3
B6
Modern Upholsterer duties
DUTY: Use modern techniques to upholster products to specifications using power tools and machinery
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Following relevant health and safety legislation and guidance
K1
S1
B1
DUTY: Design and create modern upholstered furniture to meet customers’ requirements
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with specifications
K2
K3
S2
S3
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
DUTY: Define materials, construction methods and specifications for upholstered furniture to be produced
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with customer expectations and specifications
K4
S4
B3
B6
DUTY: Lead, manage and coach teams to ensure effective results in a modern upholstery environment
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with specifications
K5
S5
B3
B6
DUTY: Provide estimates for traditionally upholstered furniture to customers to meet their requirements
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
K6
S6
B2
B3
B7
Traditional Upholsterer duties
DUTY: Manufacture to traditional standard, renovate and reupholster old or antique furniture to the required standard
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Following relevant health and safety legislation and guidance
K1
S1
B1
DUTY: Apply traditional upholstery techniques in order to create, renovate or restore furniture pieces
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with specifications
K2
K3
S2
S3
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
DUTY: Strip back old/antique upholstery in order to start the restoration/repair
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with customer expectations and specifications
K4
S4
B3
B6
DUTY: Provide estimates for traditionally upholstered furniture to customers to meet their requirements
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with specifications
K5
S5
B3
B6
DUTY: Understand and appreciate the finish of show wood frames and implement traditional solutions, for example French polishing
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Delivered in line with industry specific regulations, legislation and standards
