Apprentice Upholsterer

It’s learning a new craft and building the foundations for a lasting career.

It’s feeling valued for your growing skillset. And it's the satisfaction of caring for a truly diverse furniture collection. This is what makes an apprenticeship with The Royal Household so different.

The range of furniture in the Royal residencies is extensive and contains many unique pieces that display the skill of craftsmen from across the centuries. A lot of items are in regular use, and you’ll join our team of experts who ensure they are properly conserved, whilst also kept in good working order.

Working alongside master crafts people, you’ll complete a Level Three Furniture Making Upholstery Apprenticeship over two years. This will involve regular, structured off-the-job block learning with a separate training provider based in Oxford, which will consist of a one week block every couple of months. Here you’ll learn the vital foundation theoretical skills of furniture upholstery.

Back in the workshop, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your theory into practice, undertaking a structured learning programme with experts in the field.

With support and guidance from colleagues, you'll create and restore functional upholstery, discovering a range of specialist techniques and methods, putting your newly learned skills to use.

And you’ll also learn how to run a workshop effectively, including the upkeep of specialist tools, Health & Safety procedures and the maintenance of large equipment.

The variety of work will inspire and challenge you, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. Above all, you’ll play an important part in maintaining historic items, whilst also keeping traditional skills alive for generations to come.

Whether you’re embarking on a new career or looking to gain skills that will open new opportunities, what matters most is that you’re committed to learning a new craft.

You might have some relevant experience already, but this isn’t essential as you will receive all the training you need. And it’ll be your curiosity and ability to think critically which will help you along the way.

Practically minded and able to handle objects with care, you’ll have an eye for detail and a focused and patient approach to tasks, which will be your key to success.

Equally happy working on your own as you are in a team, you’ll bring a positive attitude and will be keen to support a range of projects, taking every opportunity to learn something new.

You’ll also have a friendly communication style and will be confident liaising with a wide range of colleagues and specialists in their fields.

Above all, you take pride in your work, which means you always achieve the highest standard of finish.

In return you can look forward to working in a unique and stimulating work environment, and be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including 33 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays), a 15% employer contribution pension scheme and meals on duty. Training and development is encouraged and you will have access to a range of recreational facilities.

This is a fixed-term contract position for 3 years.