Fitted Furniture Design Technician Apprenticeship

Course Overview

A Fitted Furniture Design Technician creates initial ideas, design concepts and plans for fitted furniture interiors and create technical drawings by hand or computer.

Fitted Furniture Design Technician’s work with customers to create their perfect design for their chosen interior. They provide innovative and creative solutions that meet the needs of their client, taking account of the use and location of the product. This includes fitted kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, car interiors, boats and ships. In addition, they are often required to work on bespoke one-off commercial developments such as, restaurants, hotels, bars, offices, leisure and health centre projects.

Fitted Furniture Design Technician’s create fitted furniture designs using their knowledge of industry specific legislation and understanding of products and materials for interiors. They manage the project from inception through to completion.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for liaising directly with customers and the installation and supply teams. They will be required to manage the project from design through to installation. They usually report to a supervisor or manager and are not usually responsible for staff.

Typical job titles include:
• Fitted Furniture Design Technician
• Design Technician
• Furniture Design Technician’s Design/Sales Consultant
• CAD Advisor
• Showroom Sales Consultant/Showroom Designer
• Kitchen Designer
• Fitted Bedroom Designer
• Bathroom Designer
• Interior Designer
• Planning Assistant

The Content

Fitted Furniture Design Technicians will develop the following skills, knowledge and behaviours:

Skills
• Work safely at all times
• Plan, organise and manage design and/or installation projects
• Maintain fitted furniture sales, design and installation records
• Record measurements
• Create suitable fitted furniture designs and concepts for furniture to be installed at relevant premises
• Create fitted furniture designs using scale drawings or CAD
• Select appropriate material options, products and components for the designs to meet customer requirements
• Present fitted furniture designs to customers
• Produce visuals that clearly demonstrate all relevant requirements of the customer brief
• Survey locations accurately for fitted furniture installation and designs
• Produce representational images
• Determine and record site conditions
• Use quoting software systems to cost and price designs
• Maintain the fitted furniture showrooms to acceptable standards and mirror relevant design trends
• Deliver on sales targets and enhance opportunities for further growth
• Establish and maintain communications with relevant customers
• Check fitted furniture products and services are prepared, delivered and installed to customers satisfaction
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships
• Apply effective communication techniques at all levels
• Deliver excellent customer service
• Realise and maintain customer expectations

Knowledge
• Health, safety and environmental management
• Codes of Practice, industry standards and legislation
• Basic project management
• Create and scale designs
• Sustainability and protecting the environment in design
• Design trends, technological developments, new markets and innovation
• Ergonomics and anthropometrics
• Third party products
• Fitted furniture products and installation methods
• Domestic fitted furniture designs
• Presentation techniques
• Communicating proposals
• Surveying locations for fitted furniture installations
• Symbols, shading, hatching, abbreviations conventions used by the organisation
• Accurate, unambiguous detailing
• Pricing of relevant products and services
• Providing quotes to customers
• Layout and appearance of the showroom influencing sales
• Acceptable standards for the condition of the showroom
• Effective sales and closing techniques to maximise sales
• Products and services available
• Effective after-sales support
• Techniques for addressing customer queries and problems
• Equality and diversity
• Importance of developing good working relationships
• Effective communication skills
• Deliver excellent customer service
• Manage customer expectations

Behaviours
• Safety-first attitude
• Responsible for meeting objectives
• Shows integrity and good time management
• Thorough and accurate
• Friendly and approachable
• Demonstrates creative thinking
• Positive work ethic
• Professional and driven
• Good communication
• Sets an example to others
• Demonstrates a commitment to delivering quality in the workplace

Functional Skills in English and Maths
Where a Fitted Furniture Design Technician has not already achieved Level 2 English and Maths, they must do so before taking the End Point Assessment.

The Assessment

Learners will need to undertake an End Point Assessment which consists of the following 2 elements:
• Observation with questions
• Professional discussion