Fitted furniture design technician

Reference Number: ST0654

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry.  Consumer expenditure on furniture and furnishings in 2016 reached £16.7 billion. In addition to this there is an unquantified value of product entering the contract and office markets. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to create 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.  In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of people including managers, sales colleagues, customers, installers and suppliers.

Fitted Furniture Design Technicians can work in a range of environments from small businesses to large retail organisations.

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

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

Occupation duties

KSBs

Knowledge

K1 health, safety and environmental management and risk assessment for example Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAWA), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and manual handling

K2 Codes of Practice, industry standards and legislation affecting fitted furniture design for example The Construction (Design Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) or The Building Regulations Part F (England & Wales)

K3 basic project management including principles and techniques of good project management

K4 how to create and scale fitted furniture designs

K5 sustainability and protecting the environment in design for example Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme

K6 fitted furniture design trends, technological developments, new markets and innovation

K7 ergonomics and anthropometrics in fitted furniture, particularly relating to the ageing population

K8 third party products such as appliances (ovens, fridges, etc.), worktops and lighting

K9 fitted furniture products and installation methods including services

K10 domestic fitted furniture designs, such as kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms

K11 presentation techniques for example voice tone, positive body language and use of visuals to enhance messages

K12 how to communicate fitted furniture design proposals visually and in writing to customers and communication methods and how to use them effectively to reach agreement

K13 how to survey locations for fitted furniture installations for example measurement of the installation space and confirmation that products supplied are fit-for-purpose

K14 symbols, shading, hatching, abbreviations conventions used by the organisation within specifications to convey information on components and materials

K15 the importance of accurate, unambiguous detailing and recording and ways of recording types of structural components to enable placement of the furniture components

K16 pricing of relevant fitted furniture products and services

K17 how to provide quotes to customers and the records that need to be kept

K18 how the layout and appearance of the fitted furniture showroom influences sales

K19 acceptable standards for the condition of the fitted furniture showroom

K20 effective sales and closing techniques to maximise sales

K21 products and services available to customers

K22 effective fitted furniture after-sales support programmes for example the importance of this

K23 how sales support and customer care and service, can add value to customer relationships

K24 techniques for addressing customer queries and problems, including how to manage difficult individuals

K25 equality and diversity and how this applies in the workplace

K26 why it is important to develop good working relationships with colleagues and customers

K27 effective communication skills and techniques including verbal, written and physical non-verbal

K28 deliver excellent customer service, realise and maintain customer expectations when working in a fitted furniture design environment

K29 how to realise and manage customer expectations for example statutory rights and responsibilities, consumer rights, lead times, after sales support

Skills

S1 work safely at all times, completing health and safety records and reports

S2 plan, organise and manage furniture design and/or installation projects

S3 maintain fitted furniture sales, design and installation records required

S4 record any measurements of components, sub-assemblies, products, models, equipment, layouts or facilities for example kitchen units, wardrobes, desking

S5 create suitable fitted furniture designs and concepts for furniture to be installed at relevant domestic or commercial premises

S6 create fitted furniture designs using scale drawings or CAD (computer aided design)

S7 select appropriate material options, products and components for the fitted furniture designs to meet customer requirements

S8 present fitted furniture designs to customers for example kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms

S9 produce visuals that clearly demonstrate how fitted furniture designs meets the strength, aesthetics, cost and other relevant requirements of the customer brief

S10 survey locations accurately for fitted furniture installation and designs including taking measurements and other relevant data of locations

S11 produce representational images which records appropriate and accurate measurements of locations for the placement of furniture components

S12 determine and record site conditions for example location and identification of the existing utilities and services

S13 use quoting software systems to cost and price fitted furniture designs and provide and manage quotes to customers

S14 maintain the fitted furniture showrooms to acceptable standards and mirror relevant design trends

S15 deliver on sales targets and enhance opportunities for further growth for examples agree next stage by listening to the customer’s requirements and vision

S16 establish and maintain communications with relevant customers for example ongoing customer service and care provided

S17 check fitted furniture products and services are prepared, delivered and installed to customers satisfaction

S18 develop and maintain effective working relationships

S19 apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills

S20 deliver excellent customer service for example going beyond what the customer expects

S21 realise and maintain customer expectations

Behaviours

B1 have a safety-first attitude, ensuring the safety of self and others as appropriate

B2 takes personal responsibility for meeting objectives of the team and business

B3 shows integrity, aims for excellence and manages time effectively

B4 thorough and accurate when accomplishing fitted furniture design tasks

B5 is friendly and approachable in a fitted furniture design environment

B6 demonstrates creative thinking when creating designs and concepts

B7 demonstrate a positive work ethic and can-do attitude showing initiative and self-motivation

B8 demonstrates professional standards of behaviours and positive personality, to dress appropriately and be aware of personal presentation

B9 shows ambition, drive and is self-motivated

B10 proactively seek ways of engaging customers to increase and enhance sales

B11 be clear and coherent to effectively communicate accurate and complex information professionally and confidently to a diverse audience, in line with business expectations

B12 sets an example to others, is fair, consistent and reliable

B13 is customer focused – demonstrates behaviour that puts the customer first

B14 demonstrates a commitment to delivering quality in the workplace.

Qualifications

English and Maths qualifications

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.  For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL. 

Additional details

Occupational Level: 3
Duration (months): 18

Review

This standard will be reviewed after three years.

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