Level Three Apprenticeship Standard consultation – your support is needed

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, and trade association the British Furniture Manufacturers Association (BFM) is appealing for the entire furnishing industry to take part in a government survey to help develop a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard.

The furnishing industry developed the Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard under the government’s Trailblazer initiative in 2016. The standard covered multiple occupations including General Furniture Making, Bed Making, Modern Upholstery and Furniture Restoration and was given ministerial approval earlier this year.

The industry now requires a Level 3 Standard to provide progression from Level 2 and for school leavers who meet the entry requirements for the higher level.

The development of the Level 3 Standard – which is costing £13,000 – ­ is being co-funded by the BFM and Furniture Makers.

The government survey is seeking views on:

• Whether you support the development of the proposed Apprenticeship Standards;
• Whether you think the proposed Apprenticeship Standards would typically take at least 12 months of training to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required for that occupation (required as part of our criteria);
• Whether these Standards are similar to, or duplicate, existing Standards.

The consultation closes on Monday 6 November 2017, so time is limited.

Jackie Bazeley, managing director of the BFM, said: “The Level 2 qualifications cover a range of occupations within the industry, including Furniture Making, Bed Making, Modern Furniture Service Repair and Foam Conversion and Upholstery Cushion Interior Manufacture. In order for the Level 3 Standard to be fit for purpose, it’s crucial that people working in the industry go online to express their support for them and make sure that the standards meet their needs.”

Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “The Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard was successfully developed and given ministerial approval earlier this year, thanks to the support of the furnishing industry. We now need the industry to rally together in order to get approval for the development of the Level 3 Standard.”

The survey can be accessed by going to: http://bit.ly/Level3standards