Cabinet maker
Design and make wooden furniture like chairs, tables and chests of drawers which people can use in their homes.
About the job
What it's like
You would make pieces of wooden furniture such as chairs, tables, chests of drawers and storage or display cabinets.
You’d design a piece of furniture, build it and decorate it for someone to use in their home or workplace. You might also restore antiques or repair damaged furniture.
You would:
Draw designs for furniture
Decide what type of wood to use
Work out the quantity needed
Decide what method you will use to construct it
Buy the wood from suppliers such as timber yards
Cut, shape and plane the wood using hand, power and computer-controlled tools
Fix the parts together
Add brackets, hinges, handles and locks
Finish the piece of furniture, for example with veneers, lacquers or French polish
You would need to understand, draft or adapt designs and technical drawings.
If you deal directly with customers, you would also discuss designs and agree prices with them.
Hours
Your working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company or self-employed. If you are working in a factory, for example, you would usually work a basic 39-hour week, which could involve shiftwork. If you are self-employed, you would arrange your own working hours. You may sometimes need to work longer hours and at weekends to meet deadlines.
Environment
You would work in a workshop or factory.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- cabinetry
- woodworking
- hand tools
- technical drawing
- furniture cleaning
- woodworking machines
- thickness planer
- sketchup (3d modeling software)
- sawing
- blueprinting
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- working with numbers
- creative
- designing
- observation
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- implementing ideas
- managing resources
- time management
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Practical Craft Skills
Practical Woodwork
Work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Furniture and Furnishings and Interiors (SVQ level 2/3) or complete a National Certificate (SCQF level 2-6), Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in Furniture craft, design, restoration or production.
To enter a National Certificate (SCQF level 2-6) in Furniture requires National 4/5 qualifications.
To enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) requires National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers.
Some courses will require a portfolio of your work.
Qualifications that demonstrate craft and design skills such as Skills for Work Construction Crafts (SCQF level 4).
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