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Upholsterers

OaSIS code 63221.00

Upholsterers cover furniture, fixtures and similar items with fabric, leather or other upholstery materials.

Overview

Also known as

  • Automobile upholsterer
  • Custom upholsterer
  • Furniture upholsterer
  • Upholsterer
  • Upholstery repairer

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Discuss upholstery fabric, colour, and style with customers and provide cost estimate for upholstering furniture or other items
  • Lay out, measure and cut upholstery materials according to sketches or design specifications
  • Replace worn-out webbing, springs and other furniture parts using hand and power tools
  • Operate sewing machines or sew upholstery materials by hand to seam cushions and join sections of covering materials
  • Install padding and underlays and fasten covering materials to furniture frames
  • Tack, glue or sew ornamental trim, braids or buttons on upholstered items
  • Lay out, cut, fabricate and install upholstery in aircrafts, motor vehicles, railway cars, boats and ships
  • May repair furniture frames and refinish wood surfaces
  • May make upholstery patterns from sketches, customer descriptions or blueprints
  • May install, fabricate, maintain and repair interior components of aircraft, such as seats, coverings, drapes, cargo nets, flooring, closets, bins and panels.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Furniture and fixture assemblers, finishers, refinishers and inspectors (94210)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

6 – Sales and service occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

63 – Occupations in sales and services

Sub-major group

632 – Occupations in services

Minor group

6322 – Shoe repairers, shoemakers and upholsterers

Unit group

63221 – Upholsterers

Occupational profile

63221.00 – Upholsterers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Handling and Moving Objects
5 - Highest Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
3 - Moderate Level
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance
3 - Moderate Level
Mechanical Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
2 - Once a month or more but not every week
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
2 - Somewhat important
Frequency
2 - Once a month or more but not every week

Workplaces/employers

  • Furniture repair shops
  • Furniture retail outlets
  • Furniture, aircraft, motor vehicle and other manufacturing companies
  • Self-employment

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Colour Perception
4 - High Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
3 - Moderate Level
Body Flexibility
3 - Moderate Level
Control of Settings
3 - Moderate Level
Finger Dexterity
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Equipment and Tool Selection
3 - Moderate Level
Product Design
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Repairing
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Active Learning
3 - Important
Adaptability
2 - Somewhat important
Analytical Thinking
2 - Somewhat important
Collaboration
2 - Somewhat important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCE

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Enterprising (E)

Enterprising occupations are characterized by the dominance of action-oriented activities to attain organizational or self-interest goals. They frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects, influencing, leading or mobilizing people, making decisions, and sometimes require risk taking and dealing with business.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of college or other specialized courses or an apprenticeship program in furniture upholstering and repair or several years of on-the-job training, including working as an upholsterer helper are usually required.
  • Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Quebec.
  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Business Management
1 - Basic Level
Clerical
1 - Basic Level
Client Service
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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