Frame makers are involved in the building and repairing of wooden cabinets, beds, couches, chairs and other high grade furniture. They are responsible for the designing, building and repairing of sturdy frames to be used in these various products. Great emphasis is placed on the engineering of such frames.
The work of frame makers involves machine and handwork. This includes working with wood as well as modern materials such as melamine. The frame makers work in a workshop or on the site where cabinets have to be installed.
Satisfying Aspects
- good employment opportunities
- good pay
- a variety of work projects
- working with one's hands
- satisfaction derived from seeing the finished products
Demanding aspects
- a lot of standing, stooping and lifting
- dust which may irritate the respiratory system
- noise from machines
- the possibility of injury on the job
Requirements
A frame-maker should have/be:
- at least 16 years old;
- undergo a battery of selection tests
- very accurate worker
- good vision and good eye-hand coordination
- spatial perception and a sense of proportion
- manual and finger dexterity
- able to work well with or without supervision
- take pride in your work
- good health, physical strength and stamina
School Subjects
Grade 8 Certificate.
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mechanical Technology, Mathematics
Training
A course in Furniture Making can be taken at Cape Town FET. Carpentry can be followed at Umgungundlovu.
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.
The Furniture Production Unit of the FITB in Johannesburg offers the following courses: Diploma in Furniture Production: 2 years’ full-time course, for matriculants. Certificate in Furniture Production: 3 months’ course for employees already in the industry.
Employer
- Furniture manufacturers
- Cabinet-makers
- Kitchen manufacturers
- Building contractors
- Self-employment, with enough experience, initiative and capital, can open own woodworking factory