The Silverlining Academy of Skills is set to provide “Ph.D. level” craftsmanship training
Silverlining Furniture has announced the launch of
The Silverlining Academy of Skills – a new training programme teaching “Ph.D. level” craftsmanship techniques.
The programme will provide theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice of 21st-century craftsmanship skills such as finishing, cabinet making, laser marquetry, CNC programming and operation and leatherwork. Trainees will be recognised by receiving a competitive remuneration and benefits package from the start.
Each fast-track course will take either 6 or 12-months dependent on the skill taught and any previous experience. It will consist of 16 hours of theoretical learning and 40 hours of practical training per month. The remaining time will be spent honing the practical skills on sample projects.
Why an Academy?
“Launching an academy has always been a dream of mine. I had the great honour of starting my adventure in furniture making by training under John Makepeace OBE. at Parnham House in Dorset – it was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling times of my life. I’m passionate about young people and in fact, people of all ages who haven’t worked creatively before, to discover the magic of furniture-making” says Mark Boddington.
He adds: “on a practical level, in the age of automation, finding skilled people with superior craftsmanship skills, can be very hard. We’ve tried hiring specialists from the automotive and watch industries, yet we found that the level of skill required at Silverlining is unparalleled. That’s why we’ve decided to grow a new generation of furniture-making talent ourselves, by providing jobs and training, teaching craftsmanship skills which are in high-demand, yet are quickly disappearing.”
“In addition, despite the other businesses experiencing a slowdown during the COVID pandemic, we are growing rapidly with unprecedented levels of enquiries and new projects, which require us to grow our specialist teams.”
The Finishing Programme
The Academy is currently recruiting the first cohort to join the Finishing programme, starting in the summer of 2021. The theory section, with weekly sessions delivered by Boddington, will cover topics such as the history of wood finishes, staining and dyeing woods, various types of lacquers and resins and processes such as bleaching, waxing and oiling, as well as touching in repairs.
The practical part of the training will be led by Steven Jones, who’s the Finishing Team Leader, with Silverlining Furniture since 2011. Jones will provide in-depth lacquering tuition – from spraying and cutting back, to building up coats and polishing the final lacquer layers.
The course will also offer hands-on sessions of the topics covered in the theory part of the course.
“Ultimately it is the finish that clients first notice and admire. With our finishing being at a ‘Ph.D.’ level we need to bring people through The Academy as our furniture quality is so exacting and innovative that outside training is simply not an option in the UK” says Steven Jones.
For further details of the training opportunities in finishing or to apply please view our prospectus.
Who can join The Academy?
The Academy is open to everyone – it doesn’t require any prior formal skills, as all the skills required will be taught during the course. The Academy will welcome a young person looking at career options after leaving school as well as a mature adult, with a passion for craftsmanship, looking for a career and lifestyle change.
Whilst we provide all the craftsmanship skills through the academy, we are looking for people who are passionate about furniture-making, craftsmanship and innovation. People who will take pride in creating museum-quality pieces, which sit at the nexus of furniture and works of art.
With the Finishing programme currently recruiting trainees for a summer start, further courses will follow in cabinet making, laser and CNC operation, drafting, and leatherwork.
The Silverlining Academy of Skills will be located at the Silverlining Furniture HQ and workshop in Wrexham, Wales.
For further information, please contact recruitment@silverliningfurniture.com