Our range of leisure and hobby courses keeps growing, with even more fun and exciting courses starting throughout 2024.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The furniture team welcomes you to join a department that sits amongst the best in the country. A centre of excellence designed around one objective: to bring out the very best you can be.
What will you learn? You will develop your skills and experience with machine made furniture. We teach you how to use different types of machines to process timber and shape components out of wood and focus on building items of furniture using commercial methods to prepare you for a career in the industry.
How will you achieve this?
You will learn how to use a range of classical machinery and techniques and new CNC technology. We work on several design-and-make projects involving a range of learning activities. The first project involves producing a bench hook using portable power tools. Next, you will complete a set project, which is a coffee table, and then you will apply your learned skills to complete two portfolio pieces, which you can design and present.
The course is an immersive experience and develops your abilities to plan, problem solve, design, produce and manufacturer. As your experience with the machinery grows throughout the year you will produce a final centre devised assessment piece.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are expected from the awarding bodies. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
You can find out more by visiting the City & Guilds website: https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/manufacturing-industry/manufacturing/5780-furniture-furnishings-and-wood-machining#tab=information&acc=level2
Please note that whilst we are planning to run the required modules in the following academic year, there may be changes to the curriculum in response to COVID-19 or updates from the awarding bodies.
FURTHER INFORMATION
You need to have an interest in carpentry.
GCSEs – If you have not already studied a level one course, you should have achieved GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English with at least a grade 4 in either; and grade 3 in the other to be able to join this course.
You may be someone who has previously completed the Level 1 Construction skills, or can demonstrate prior experience within the wood industry.
You will have a positive attitude, an enthusiasm towards learning and an interest in producing high quality crafts. Your progress will be reviewed regularly throughout the year.
Admissions enquiries
If you have any questions about the entry requirements or the application process, please contact us on admissions@chichester.ac.uk.
Upon successful completion you will have the opportunity to progress onto Level 3 Award in Furniture.
The Diploma will have developed your skills and experiences to allow you to progress into the industry and gain an apprenticeship. West Sussex is a fantastic place to secure employment in this industry – and we can assist you in building links with employers.
To pass the course you will have to complete a practical assignment and four core units (sustainability, health and safety, career pathways and professional responsibilities). Each unit is individually graded.
Maths and English – If you are under 19 and have not achieved GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at grade 4 (or grade C) by the start of the course, you will be required retake these subject(s) during the year.
Course Costs
You will be advised on how to source the necessary materials and fittings required for each project.
You will be supplied with safety glasses, gloves, a face mask and ear-plugs at the beginning of the course. This Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will require a small one-off payment from you at enrolment and will be valid for the entire year.
Course Fees
If you are a home student and are under 19 at the beginning of your course, you do not have to pay tuition or exam fees for the majority of courses. If you are 19 or over when you start your course, you will have to contribute to your course fees in line with government guidelines.
For further information about course fees, please visit: https://www.chichester.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support/course-fee-information.
Financial Support
We understand that financial matters are an important consideration for our students and that everyone’;s circumstances are different. Please visit our financial support page for further information on what support is available: https://www.chichester.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support
If you have any questions regarding student finance, please email studentfinance@chigroup.ac.uk and one of our team will be in touch to help.
All students cover a detailed training programme, which gives you all the practical skills and job knowledge required to attain a level 2 diploma qualification and allow you to further your career in the furniture industry.
Each year learners can enter a range of competitions at a regional, national and international level. We have trained students to successfully progress from national competitions in their first year to compete for gold medals at international competition in their subsequent years with us.
Each year we host an End of Year show. This is a fantastic opportunity to display your work, to celebrate your new skills, cement friendships that you have forged during the year and meet with top industry employers.
All workshop lessons require the highest standard of behaviour and the use of personal protection equipment.
The course is timetabled to require attendance over 2 days a week.