Furniture Making Operative Apprentice
ATELIER JOINERY LTD
MACCLESFIELD (SK11 7NJ)
Closes on Tuesday 23 September 2025
Posted on 21 August 2025
Contents
Summary
We are offering an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Cabinet Maker to join our team. This is the perfect role for someone who is passionate about woodworking, eager to learn, and ready to start a career in high-end bespoke furniture making.
- Wage
-
£17,500 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
What We Offer: Full training from experts, Hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art workshop, Free 'starter pack' of tools worth over £600, A welcoming and supportive team environment and Progression opportunities
- Training course
- Furniture making operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Working Hours
Monday–Thursday: 07:15am – 5:00pm,
Friday: 07:15am – 1:15pm (42 hours per week).
42 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 29 September 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 6 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
As an Apprentice Cabinet Maker at Atelier, you will:
- Learn traditional woodworking and modern furniture-making techniques.
- Work with premium materials, including hardwoods and veneers.
- Gain experience in interpreting technical drawings and workshop processes.
- Develop skills in joinery, assembly, finishing, and quality control.
- Train alongside highly skilled cabinet makers, benefiting from their knowledge and mentorship.
- Contribute to prestigious projects while growing your craft.
Where you'll work
BRUNSWICK WORKS
LOWE STREET
MACCLESFIELD
SK11 7NJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MACCLESFIELD COLLEGE
Training course
Furniture making operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
- Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
- Prepare and maintain the work area.
- Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow workplace operating procedures.
- Store tools and equipment.
- Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
- Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
- Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
- Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
- Apply preparation techniques to materials.
- Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
- Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
- Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
- Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
- Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
- Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
- Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
- Follow quality assurance processes.
- Pack and store components and products.
- Record furniture making activity information - paper based or electronic.
- Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
- Apply team working principles.
- Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
- Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
- Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
- Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Undertake and record learning and development activities.
- Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
- Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
- Prepare and maintain the work area.
- Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow workplace operating procedures.
- Store tools and equipment.
- Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
- Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
- Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
- Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
- Apply preparation techniques to materials.
- Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
- Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
- Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
- Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
- Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
- Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
- Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
- Follow quality assurance processes.
- Pack and store components and products.
- Record furniture making activity information - paper based or electronic.
- Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
- Apply team working principles.
- Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
- Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
- Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
- Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Undertake and record learning and development activities.
Training schedule
This apprenticeship is all delivered in the workplace.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C+)
- Maths (grade 4/C+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Pride in quality of work
- Strong work ethic
- Passion for woodworking
- Willingness to learn
About this employer
Atelier is a luxury furniture manufacturer that creates bespoke cabinetry and fine furniture for prestigious residential and commercial clients across the UK and internationally. Our projects include kitchens, wine rooms, dressing rooms, and unique statement pieces, crafted to the highest standards of artistry and precision.
https://atelier.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Benefits: Company events, Company pension, Cycle to work scheme, Enhanced paternity leave, Gym membership, Private dental insurance, Private medical insurance and Sick pay.
After this apprenticeship
There may be a fulltime position available upon the successful completition of this apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MACCLESFIELD COLLEGE
Maxim Business Training
apprenticeshiprecruitment@macclesfield.ac.uk
01625410000
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000338451.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 23 September 2025
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