Variant of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0 for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

63221 - Upholsterers

Upholsterers cover furniture, fixtures and similar items with fabric, leather or other upholstery materials. They are employed by furniture, aircraft, motor vehicle and other manufacturing companies, furniture retail outlets and repair shops or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • automobile upholsterer
    • custom upholsterer
    • furniture upholsterer
    • upholsterer
    • upholstery repairer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Furniture and fixture assemblers, finishers, refinishers and inspectors (See 94210 Furniture and fixture assemblers, finishers, refinishers and inspectors)
    • Upholsterers supervisor (See 62029 Other services supervisors)
    • Upholstery marker and cutter (See 95105 Labourers in textile processing and cutting)
  • 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.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • 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.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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