Apprentice Furniture Making Operative - Ref 14930

S W WATSON & SON LTD

RIBBLETON (PR2 5BB)

Closes on Tuesday 23 June 2026

Posted on 26 March 2026

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Summary

S W Watson & Son Ltd in Preston are recruiting for an Apprentice Furniture Making Operative. The Successful candidate will complete a Level 2 Apprentice Furniture Making Operative Apprenticeship over the duration of 18 months.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Furniture making operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 07:20 - 16:45. Friday, 07:20 - 14:20 (1 hour unpaid break / 40 minutes on Friday). 40 hours per week.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 30 June 2026

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

  • Assisting with loading, programming and running CNC machinery on the shopfloor
  • Carrying out quality control on machined goods, filling out paperwork and moving goods around the workshop
  • Assisting on assembly benches to build MFC cabinets, using power tools and hand tools
  • Helping with packing and dispatch
  • Learning 5's processes

Where you'll work

UNIT 1
ROMAN WAY
LONGRIDGE ROAD
RIBBLETON
PR2 5BB

Training

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

Training provider

NORTH LANCS. TRAINING GROUP CIC

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

  • Level 2 Furniture Making Operative
  • Functional Skills
  • Work based learning 

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Punctual
  • Keen and willing to learn
  • Excellent timekeeping

About this employer

  • Innovative panel solutions — Built on tradition
  • Precision-Manufactured Panel products Since 1967.
  • Driven by innovation and expertise, we combine advanced technology with skilled craftsmanship to deliver reliable, high-quality solutions – trusted by leading companies and organisations across healthcare, retail, education, and more.

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

After this apprenticeship

  • Progression onto full time role

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NORTH LANCS. TRAINING GROUP CIC

S W Watson & Son Ltd

recruitment@nltg.co.uk

01254395355

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000022787.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 23 June 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.