Job market information
Finding out about furniture, furnishing and interiors
The furniture, furnishing and interiors industry is part of the process manufacturing sector, represented by Proskills Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: building products; coatings; extractive and mineral process; glass and related industries; ceramics; paper; plus print and printed packaging. In addition, there are several industries that are aligned with Proskills industries, including: glazing and window manufacture; soft furnishings; design; paper merchants; and mining services. The sector as a whole currently employs an estimated 810,000 people in around 76,900 workplaces. Since 1998, there has been a steady decline in the numbers employed in the sector as a whole and the number of workplaces, but productivity in the sector has continued to increase over the same period. Overall, the sector will need to recruit almost 93,000 people up to 2017 to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
The UK furniture, furnishing and interiors industry creates products for the domestic, office and contract markets. It includes the manufacture of: cabinets; chairs and seats; office furniture; contract furniture (for shops, hospitals, hotels, schools); kitchen furniture; mattresses; and other furniture. It also includes the manufacture of soft furnishings. Demand for new quality goods is expected to remain high and restoration and remedial work is also on the increase in the UK.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 149,000 people employed in the industry, across 12,200 workplaces.
- Workers in the industry tend to be full‐time and directly employed, rather than on a contract basis.
- Work is often shift‐based, especially in lower levels jobs.
- 15% of the workforce has a Level 1 or entry level qualification, 23% a Level 2, 31% a Level 3, 5% a Level 4 and 9% a Level 5 qualification.
- Annual turnover for the industry is currently around £10.8 billion.
- There are 18,870 sole traders in the industry.
Jobs in the industry range from: assembler, frame maker, wood machinist, restorer, polisher, soft upholster, cabinet maker, kitchen fitter, furniture installer, blinds and shutter installer, upholsterer – cutter, upholsterer – sewer, joiner.
Entry and progression
For those wishing to enrol on apprenticeships in the industry, there are no imposed entry requirements, except that entrants should have a good basic education.
Those wishing to enter the industry should have the following skills and attributes: interest in making furniture, furnishing and interiors; self‐motivation; interest in working with their hands; willingness to learn and apply that learning; demonstrate the potential to complete qualifications; ability to communicate effectively with a range of people; plus numeracy and literacy skills.
There are a wide range of opportunities for those wishing to change career direction and enter the industry. Skills and abilities that can be an advantage include: good hand eye coordination; ability to use tools effectively; experience in wood working; craft skills; and experience of working with Computer Aided Design (CAD). For those wishing to enter management positions, good experience of report writing, stock control, and team working as well as financial planning, meeting targets and customer satisfaction will help.
There is a range of relevant industry courses, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and training schemes available.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
149,000 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
12,200 |
|---|
| Gender: |
71% male |
29% female |
|---|
| Age: |
13% of workforce is 16-24 years. |
|---|
| 19% 25-34 years. |
| 22% 35-44 years |
| 28% 45-54 years |
| 18% 55-64 years |
| 2% 65 years and over |
| Disability: |
11% of the workforce considers themselves to have a disability |
|---|
Employment trends and future prospects
The industry has declined in size over the last decade, but this appears to be levelling off.
Skill requirements and shortages
Generally, the skill needs for the future will be in higher level management and technical operations. This particularly important in the furniture, furnishing and interiors industry as more elementary tasks become automated. There will be a continuing need for health and safety skills and environmental skills in the industry. It will become more important for people to be multi‐skilled and able to work across several areas of the business.
Skill shortages in the industry include:
- Craft and Technical skills, such as cabinet making, polishing, upholstery and wood carving/machining
- Employability skills, such as team‐working, having a good attitude, and using initiative
- Management and Leadership skills
Occupational trends
The largest occupational groups in the industry are:
- Skilled Trades Occupations
- Machine Operatives
- Managers and Senior Officials
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 15,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,140 workplaces.
East of England – There are an estimated 11,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,460 workplaces.
London – There are an estimated 6,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,140 workplaces.
North East – There are an estimated 6,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 360 workplaces.
North West – There are an estimated 19,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,410 workplaces.
South East – There are an estimated 16,900 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,770 workplaces.
South West – There are an estimated 14,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,160 workplaces.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 15,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,230 workplaces.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 23,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,240 workplaces.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 6,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 workplaces.
Scotland – There are an estimated 10,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 500 workplaces.
Wales – There are an estimated 3,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 500 workplaces.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries of the current workforce:
- Entry level (e.g. Packaging and Dispatch Operative) £12,000 ‐ £14,000
- Full operative (e.g. Soft Furnisher) £14,000 ‐ £18,000
- Senior Management (e.g. Research and Development Manager) £45,000 ‐ £75,000 plus
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Proskills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
