Furniture finishers sand furniture with sandpaper to obtain a smooth surface. Cracks in the wood are plugged with either agglutinant or putty. The article is then stained and varnished (for example, pine) or varnished only (for example, imbuia).
To stain the article, it is dipped into a solution which provides an even layer of colour over the entire surface. When dry, the bottom coat of sealer is sprayed on rapidly and accurately with a spray gun, care being taken to ensure that it is evenly sprayed and does not form drops.
The article is dried rapidly in a room equipped with fans which blow warm air directly onto it. The article is sandpapered again by hand and the lacquer or varnish is sprayed on. Usually three or more coats are applied and between coats it is sanded lightly.
Furniture finishers may specialize in sanding, staining or varnishing furniture.
Furniture finishers work with: different grades of sandpaper; stains and varnishes in various colours; tools such as spray guns and drying fans; agglutinant, putty and sealer.
Furniture finishers work indoors in workshops that are usually provided with ample light and ventilation. The work involves standing most of the day. The use of stains and varnishes necessitates the wearing of protective clothing. Furniture finishers may also wear masks to prevent the inhalation of wood dust.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with one's hands
- working as part of a team
- variety of work tasks
- the satisfaction of applying good workmanship to finish an article
Demanding aspects
- standing most of the day
- health hazards as a result of toxic chemicals being used
Requirements
A furniture polisher should be/have:
- at least 16 years old
- average physical strength
- good eyesight
- good eye-hand coordination
- manual dexterity
School Subjects
A Certificate or a statement of attainment issued by, or on behalf of the school attended, reflecting a pass at Grade 8 level in Afrikaans or English
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics and at least two other subjects are required, as a minimum level of education.
Attainment of the specified grades in the battery of technical selection tests of the Furniture Industry Training Board (FITB), is also required.
Recommended Subjects: Mechanical Technology
Training
Register with an employer providing suitable training. Training should comply with the Production Performance Criteria of BIFSA.
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:
1. An apprenticeship is a 4-year contract between company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level.
2. A learnership is a structured learning programme that leads to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets on-the-job experience whilst training.
3. FET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (this NCV) similar to the
new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
Employer
- furniture manufacturers
- construction companies
- suppliers of wood
- self-employment, with enough initiative and capital, can start own business
A good trade qualification is essential for advancement from basic furniture polisher or machine operator to designer and senior levels of management in the furniture industry. A polisher can, with hard work and ability, reach the position of supervisor or workshop foreman.