ABOUT
The Furnishing Skills subject focuses on the underpinning industry practices and production processes required to manufacture furnishing products with high aesthetic qualities. The furnishing industry comprises a wide range of fields, including soft furnishing, commercial and household furniture-making, cabinet-making and upholstering. Furnishing products can be manufactured from a range of materials such as textiles, timber, polymers, composites and metals. This subject provides a unique opportunity for students to experience the challenge and personal satisfaction of undertaking practical work while developing beneficial vocational and life skills.
The subject includes two core topics — 'Industry practices' and 'Production processes'. Industry practices are used by manufacturing enterprises to manage the manufacturing of products from raw materials. Production processes combine the production skills and procedures required to create products. Students explore the knowledge, understanding and skills of the core topics through selected industry-based electives in response to local needs, available resources and teacher expertise.
WHY STUDY FURNISHING?
In Furnishing students will learn the practical knowledge and skills needed when working with materials, tools and machinery. Learning will be shaped around core and elective knowledge, understanding and skills. Students will study two core topics: Industry practices and Production processes and will have opportunities to explore these topics through at least three (furniture making + 2) of the following elective contexts:
• Furniture making— Furniture-making refers to making or repairing individual pieces of furniture such as chairs, lounges, tables, dining suites, bedroom suites and dressers.
• Furniture finishing— Furniture finishing refers to preparing surfaces and applying stains, coatings and finishes to furniture in manufacture or repair.
• Cabinet making — Cabinet-making refers to making or repairing kitchen and bathroom cabinets, wardrobes, office fit-outs and shop fittings.
• Upholstery— Upholstery refers to dismantling and reassembling furniture and selecting, cutting, sewing and fitting fabric and leather upholstery materials.
FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE:
Students
will be given access to machines and tools in the furnishing workshops. Some of these include. Router, wood lathe,
Drop saw, bandsaw, Linishing sanders, Mortice machine, Drill press, Wall Saw,
Jig Saw, Battery drill, biscuit machine, hand trimmer as well as numerous
different hand tools including chisels, hammers, marking out tools and other
basic hand tools.
UNITS OF STUDY:
We offer Furnishing in years 10,11 and 12.
Year 10
UNIT
| TIME
| NAME
| DESCRIPTION
|
1
| 15wks | Step Stool
| Students will produce a Step Stool from specifications. As well as produce a procedure on the theory behind completing their project |
| 2 | 10wks | Carry All toolbox | Students will produce a Carry All Toolbox from specifications. As well as produce a procedure on the theory behind completing their project |
| 3 | 15wks | Jewellery Box | Students will produce a Jewellery Box from specifications. As well as produce a procedure on the theory behind completing their project |
In years 11 & 12 – Furnishing Skills is an Applied subject. Four units of work are spread over two years. Assessment instruments used are projects and practical demonstrations.
UNIT
| TIME
| NAME
| DESCRIPTION
|
1
| 15wks | Veneer Table | Students will produce a Veneer table from specifications. As well as produce a procedure on the theory behind completing their project |
| 2 | 15wks | Pendulum Wall Clock | Students will produce a Pendulum Wall Clock from specifications. As well as produce a procedure on the theory behind completing their project |
UNIT
| TIME
| NAME
| DESCRIPTION
|
| 3 | 18wks | Dartboard Cabinet | Students will produce a Dartboard Cabinet from specifications. As well as produce a procedure on the theory behind completing their project |
| 4 | 23wks | Squatter's Chair | Students will produce a Squatter's Chair from specifications. As well as produce a procedure on the theory behind completing their project |
PATHWAYS:
A course of study in Furnishing Skills can establish a basis for further education and employment in the furnishing industry. With additional training and experience, potential employment opportunities may be found in furnishing trades as, for example, a furniture-maker, wood machinist, cabinet-maker, polisher, shopfitter, upholsterer, furniture restorer, picture framer, floor finisher or glazier.