Students on the Foundation Degree in Furniture Making undertake a work placement of at least five week’s duration during the autumn term of their second year.
Phil Craske won a place at Charles Barr Furniture, Norfolk, which makes beautiful reproduction furniture in the styles of Adam, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. During his time there, Phil had the opportunity to use new specialist machinery, and to pay particular attention to fine detail.
Amongst a variety of other tasks, he worked on preparing and laying veneers and inlays, bending and gluing laminated wooden table rails, and making laminated and veneered pedestal table legs.
The placement also supplemented Phil’s machining skills. “I had the opportunity to use several machines that I’d not used before,” he said. “That included a vertical panel saw, edge-banders, a veneer stitcher and CNC equipment. The accuracy of machining at Charles Barr really stood out to me, and it was good to see many of these machines being used to their full potential in an industrial setting.”
Phil learned that the significant changes which have taken place in the furniture industry over the past year means greater considerations needs to be given to design. He also appreciated the value of high-quality work: “I saw that there is scope for a successful career through high-quality production management and rigorous quality control during manufacture,” he said.
“My placement gave me renewed enthusiasm for the furniture industry – my employer made every effort to make my time there varied and relevant. I went back to college full of fresh ideas!”
After completing his Foundation Degree, Phil enrolled for a BA (Hons) in Furniture Making at Leeds College of Art.
