Occupational Certificate: Furniture Assembler

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Furniture Assembler.

Furniture Assemblers join and assemble cut furniture components to produce furniture or furniture components.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Assemble carcases and case goods and fit hinges, handles, runners and legs using power tools such as drills, routers, biscuit jointers, jig saws and mitre saws and hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, hand saws, etc.

Rationale

A shortage of higher-skilled workers, rising production costs, and poor domestic demand are affecting the performance of local furniture manufacturers negatively. The cost of labour, electricity, raw materials and transportation continue to shrink operating margins and make it difficult for them to compete in local and international markets. The industry is also negatively affected by declining investment in capital equipment, insufficient research and development, and inadequate design improvement or new product development. Imported furniture is often cheaper than what is manufactured locally, and furniture imports grew beyond R7bn during 2019 (according to the Furniture Industry Master Plan 2020). South African furniture manufacturers are also facing competition from Chinese furniture in their important export markets in Africa. With about 80% of the companies in the furniture manufacturing sector classified as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), these challenges impose significant pressure on a large component of players in the industry. There are no other similar part qualifications registered on the NQF.

The Furniture Industry Master Plan (FIMP) was established by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) in partnership with the South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI) to set clear guidelines and targets for the furniture manufacturing industry, as well as guide public sector procurement as part of government's efforts to support and stimulate the industry. The furniture industry is one of the most labour-intensive industries, with a potential to contribute to the reduction of unemployment, development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and to increase exports. This identifies the importance of growing the furniture industry and signals the need for skilled and competent furniture makers in the furniture production process across the furniture manufacturing industry. Furthermore, it will benefit the manufacturing sector as well as the economy by reducing unemployment and improving entrepreneurial projects.

The Occupational Certificate: Furniture Assembler is designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding required to participate effectively in the furniture industry, whether in micro, small, medium or large operations. Learners may find employment as furniture assemblers.

The Occupational Certificate: Furniture Assembler is one of two-part qualifications of the Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Crafted Furniture Assembler. These part qualifications create appropriate exit points where learners may exit the learning with industry required employable skills.

The competencies contained in this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation, empowerment and upliftment within the furniture manufacturing environment, whilst simultaneously improving the skills base of the furniture industry. This will enhance the international competitiveness of the furniture sector by means of improving productivity in the various furniture making departments and overall quality of products.

Four distinct learner target groups have been identified, namely school leavers wishing to enter the furniture-making industry, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who have no formal qualification in furniture making, persons currently employed in the furniture industry who want to advance their skills or unemployed persons.

No professional registration is needed for Furniture Assembler to operate in the industry. Industry associations consulted include:

• Cape Furniture Manufacturers Association (CFMA).
• KwaZulu Natal Furniture Manufacturers Association (KNFMA).
• Allied Business Association (ABA).
• Garden Route Employer Association (GREA).
• Furniture Bedding and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (FBUMA).
• The National Union of Furniture & Allied Workers SA (NUFAWSA).
• The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPWAWU).

This part-qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 682201-003-00-KM-01: Introduction to Furniture Manufacturing, NOF Level 2, 2 Credits.
• 682201-003-00-KM-02: Furniture Assembling Department and Operations, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.
• 682201-003-00-KM-03: Computer Technology and Operations, NQF Level 2, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 10

Practical Skill Modules

• 682201-003-00-PM-01: Join and Assemble cut components in Furniture Manufacturing, NOF Level 2, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 10

Work Experience Modules

• 682201-003-00-WM-01: Furniture Assembling Operations, NOF Level 2, 14 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 14

1. Prepare for assembling of carcases and case goods.
2. Produce assembled furniture components and furniture to specifications.
3. Inspect the assembled product, visually and by feel, checking against specifications and applying tolerances to ensure quality and accuracy.
4. Conclude assembling operations.
5. Explain principles and procedures involved in basic furniture assembly processes in the bulk production of furniture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO 1: Prepare for assembling of carcases and case goods.

• Perform workstation preparation with attention to cleaning, layout, placement of tools, paperwork and attention to environmental conditions.
• Correctly interpret drawings, routing lists, specifications and any production information.
• Identify and select typical wooden furniture products and accessories as per work instruction.
• Identify and select timber and board used in the manufacturing of wooden furniture as per work instruction.
• Identify and select consumables and accessories used in furniture manufacturing as per work instruction.
• Use a range of hand tools, identify power tools and pneumatic tools in the furniture assembling department , then prepare and operate according to the manufacturer's specifications.
• Delecately handle raw material (solid wood and boards), inspect and store to maintain quality.
• Apply all measurements, calculations and the application of appropriate formulae accurately and correctly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO 2: Produce assembled furniture components and furniture to specifications.

• Identify types of joints correctly and apply the correct construction method and sequence to produce a range of joints applicable to furniture assembling according to specifications.
• Adhere to all safety measures related to the machine operation and work area toensure compliance with regulations.
• Perform operations such as drilling, sawing, routing, bevelling, stapling and cutting to assemble furniture components using different types of power tools, pneumatic tools and hand tools.
• Prepare a range of power tools, equipment, pneumatic tools and hand tools in the furniture assembly department, set and operate produced assembled furniture components to specifications.
• Fit hinges, handles, runners and legs using power tools such as drills, routers, biscuit jointers, jig saws and mitre saws and hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, hand saws, etc.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO 3: Inspect the assembled product, visually and by feel, checking against specifications and applying tolerances to ensure quality and accuracy.

• Inspect the assembled product to ensure that shoulder to shoulder size is accurate and according to the drawing.
• Use the correct tools to produce joints.
• Inspect the assembled product to ensure joints and a profile is produced which is free from burn marks and not chipped.
• Identify component faults such as squareness of the component, incorrect size, knots causing rejects, smoothness and scratches, and explain causes and corrective actions to take.
• Identify process faults such as blade marks, timber moisture content, burn marks, paint contaminated with water, over-spraying, running, mixing of wrong paints, wrong viscosity, wrong reaction or inconsistencies in the cut product, explain causes and corrective actions to take.
• Identify machine faults such as blunt blade, wrong sanding grit, wrong nozzle, pressure that is too high or low and balance of air extraction, explain causes and corrective actions to take.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

ELO 4: Conclude assembling operations.

• Perform routine cleaning, quality change cleaning and housekeeping in the furniture assembling process.
• Conduct Maintenance procedures on machines and tools used in the assembling department.
• Accurately record and report assembly production information and prepare assembly documentation.
• Clean and return equipment and tools to correct storage after use.
• Handle and store materials and components safely and without damage.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

ELO 5: Explain principles and procedures involved in basic furniture assembly processes in the bulk production of furniture.

• Identify processes in manufacturing of furniture and discuss the purpose of each.
• Use correct terminology to describe furniture manufacturing principles and operations.
• Identify wooden, board and upholstered furniture types, styles and construction.
• Analyse ergonomics related to furniture manufacturing.
• Identify furniture assembling operations and techniques and explain their functions.
• Identify power tools used in the assembly shop and explain their functions.
• Identify pneumatic tools and explain their functions.
• Identify hand tools and explain their functions.
• Analyse quality control measures in furniture assembly processes.

Formative Assessment

The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

Summative Assessment

An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

The external integrated summative assessment will be conducted through a theoretical assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites in a simulated environment and conducted by an assessor(s) registered with the relevant AQP.