Apprentice Sewing Machinist

Summary

Apprentice sewing machinist required for a furniture manufacturer. A great opportunity to join a growing company manufacturing bespoke furniture. Do you want to learn how to produce bespoke sewn upholstery items such as sofa covers and cushions and become a skilled tradesperson? Then apply for this apprenticeship.

Wage

£16,640 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

We will also offer the sewing apprentices the piecework price if they earn over £320.00. They then go onto piecework once trained

Training course

Sewing machinist (level 2)

Hours

Monday-Thursday 6am-2:30pm and Friday 6am-12:00pm or Monday-Thursday 7am-3:30pm and Friday 7am-1:00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 June 2025

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Learning how to set up and operate industrial sewing machines
Learn how to make bespoke sewn furnishings such as cushions and sofa covers
Become a valued member of the sewing department working in a modern workshop
Learn a trade and develop a career

Where you'll work

Unit 2
Wincobank Way, South Normanton
Alfreton
DE55 2FX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

WEBS TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Sewing machinist (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Follow work instructions for example, specifications, standard operating procedures, and specific instructions.
Organise resources for example, equipment, components, and tools.
Check working environment for hazards.
Apply safe working practices including guards, seat positioning, safety clothing, and manual handling.
Apply sustainability principles for example, minimise energy usage and waste.
Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
Lay out equipment, components, and resources.
Inspect cut or pre-sewn components before sewing; identify and resolve issues.
Select and insert needles.
Select thread.
Fill and insert spool and thread a sewing machine.
Select the sewing machine settings.
Conduct sewing machine test run for example, pre-production, following threading up, adjustments, or maintenance.
Make sewing machine adjustments for example, stitch tension.
Operate, monitor, and control a sewing machine for example, lockstitch, linker, blind hemmer, overlocker, cup seam, and coverstitch machine.
Control material feed.
Conduct quality checks.
Identify needle damage.
Identify and resolve sewing issues for example, skip stitch, lose stitch, or pucker stitch.
Follow post-production procedure for example, re-bundle, bag up, and attach work ticket.
Enter information to track work process for example, work dockets, documentation, or electronic tracking system.
Select maintenance tools.
Remove and replace sewing machine parts for example, the presser foot, throat plate, spool, and spool case.
Clean sewing machine and machine parts.
Check oil.
Use information technology and digital systems for example, real time system or computerised sewing machine settings.
Communicate with others for example, other machinists, senior machinists, production staff, supervisors, and team leaders.
Report issues for example, product quality and machine faults.
Apply team working principles.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Monitor own performance.
Complete and record learning and development activities.
Follow work instructions for example, specifications, standard operating procedures, and specific instructions.
Organise resources for example, equipment, components, and tools.
Check working environment for hazards.
Apply safe working practices including guards, seat positioning, safety clothing, and manual handling.
Apply sustainability principles for example, minimise energy usage and waste.
Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
Lay out equipment, components, and resources.
Inspect cut or pre-sewn components before sewing; identify and resolve issues.
Select and insert needles.
Select thread.
Fill and insert spool and thread a sewing machine.
Select the sewing machine settings.
Conduct sewing machine test run for example, pre-production, following threading up, adjustments, or maintenance.
Make sewing machine adjustments for example, stitch tension.
Operate, monitor, and control a sewing machine for example, lockstitch, linker, blind hemmer, overlocker, cup seam, and coverstitch machine.
Control material feed.
Conduct quality checks.
Identify needle damage.
Identify and resolve sewing issues for example, skip stitch, lose stitch, or pucker stitch.
Follow post-production procedure for example, re-bundle, bag up, and attach work ticket.
Enter information to track work process for example, work dockets, documentation, or electronic tracking system.
Select maintenance tools.
Remove and replace sewing machine parts for example, the presser foot, throat plate, spool, and spool case.
Clean sewing machine and machine parts.
Check oil.
Use information technology and digital systems for example, real time system or computerised sewing machine settings.
Communicate with others for example, other machinists, senior machinists, production staff, supervisors, and team leaders.
Report issues for example, product quality and machine faults.
Apply team working principles.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Monitor own performance.
Complete and record learning and development activities.

Your training plan

During your apprenticeship programme you will receive training both off and on the job. You will be required to attend WEBS Training on a block release basis, which is for a week at a time, roughly every 10 weeks, the rest of the time you will be in the workplace. You will learn the underpinning knowledge that runs alongside your practical elements of the training. You will use a wide range of techniques whilst you complete a practical project.

WEBS Training aims to build on the skills you already have so you reach your full potential both personally and professionally.

Training will be provided in all areas of upholstery sewing to ensure you are capable of creating practical and bespoke furnishings using both traditional and modern techniques and materials to produce aesthetically pleasing and fit-for-purpose products.

If you have already achieved GCSE maths and English at Grade 4/C or above or have an equivalent qualification, you will be exempt from undertaking Functional Skills. However, English and maths support will be provided for all apprentices throughout the length of their programme.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade C/4)
Math (grade C/4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Presentation skills
Team working
Creative
Patience

Other requirements

Please ensure you are able to travel to and from the company for shift start times

About this company

Here at Sitting Pretty we design and engineer the highest quality riser recliner chairs and motion furniture in the UK. Our expert technology enables smooth operation with easy-to-use controls and fully adjustable functionality; giving you the recline or lift experience that your body needs to relax or go. Improved circulation, deeper comfort, and superior assisted-lift support. Our products are suited to every budget and any style. Truly uplifting indeed!

https://spchairs.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Uniform Free onsite parking Pension scheme

After this apprenticeship

Progress within the company
Progress to a level 3 apprenticeship

Ask a question

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