Fine Furniture/Joinery Trades Foundation, Certificate

What to expect

Located at our Interurban campus, this full-time program is 10 months long. Classes are scheduled for 5 days a week, 6 hours each day. Your typical day includes theory and lectures in the classroom, with the majority of your time in the shop getting hands-on training.

The 3-level cluster training teaches you the basics from theoretical lectures and demonstrations to more advanced techniques. You'll have the opportunity to work with a variety of products used in furniture making.

Term 1 - Fall

In the first sixteen-week term, through a series of theoretical lectures and demonstrations and shop-based practical projects, students will develop basic skills and acquire practical competency with hand and power tools used in the furniture trade, with an emphasis on safety.

In addition, students will learn about wood products and materials, basic joinery, fastening methods, selection and use of adhesives and abrasive materials.

Students will also be introduced to commercial practices and the processes of design.

Term 2 - Winter
In the second sixteen-week term students develop skills with more advanced techniques including veneering, laminating, lathe turning, carving, and shaping curves.

Students will progress through more advanced joinery techniques, as well as finishing topcoat materials and application techniques, and the use of non-wood products in furniture making.

Students will also expand their knowledge of commercial practices, design principles and receive more information on furniture history.

Term 3 - Spring
In the final eight-week term, students refine their presentation techniques and become more adept at the commercial practices inherent in the furniture trade.

Students also learn basic techniques of upholstery, furniture restoration and repair.

As a final project, students design and construct a piece of furniture, which is evaluated by a panel of experts and included in a public exhibition.