Furniture Making Operative Apprentice

SHACKLEFORD PIANOS LTD

MACCLESFIELD (SK11 6QS)

Closes in 25 days (Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 5 September 2025

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Summary

Designed to provide individuals with the fundamental skills and knowledge to excel in the field of cabinet restoration, repairs and cabinet making. You will learn essential techniques with tools and materials while focusing on craftsmanship, attention to detail and safety practices.

Wage

£15,704 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
Mon - Fri between 30-40 hours per week (shifts to be confirmed).

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 6 October 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

Duties may include:

  • Reading technical drawings
  • Cutting and shaping materials (wood, metal, fabric)
  • Assembling furniture parts
  • Applying finishes
  • Packing products.
  • Maintaining quality standards
  • Maintaining work area cleanliness
  • Following safety procedures
  • Much more

Where you'll work

UNIT 2
CROWN CENTRE
BOND STREET
MACCLESFIELD
SK11 6QS

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 is all workplace delivery (no day release to college).

Requirements

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative

About this employer

Shackleford Pianos are the UK's leading piano destination. Our extensive showroom and workshop space of over 10,000 square feet in Macclesfield, Cheshire, showcases more than 350 restored, used, and brand-new upright and grand pianos — offering unparalleled choice and quality.

https://shacklefordpianos.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

After completion of the apprenticeship, you will potentially have the opportunity to progress onto a full-time role within the business.

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 VAC1000339821.

Apply now

Closes in 25 days (Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

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