{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:40:50.948Z","occupation":{"soc":"51-6093.00","title":"Upholsterers","group":"Production","sector":"31-33","jobZone":2,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers residential, commercial, and automotive upholstery work performed in production shops, restoration studios, and small custom furniture businesses, from entry-level fitting and cutting tasks through shop leadership and business management.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Hand tools and staple guns — identify and use under direct supervision to fit and secure basic covering materials on furniture frames in a production shop.","Measuring tape and cutting instruments — follow marked patterns to measure and cut covering fabrics under close technician guidance in a training environment.","Loose fiber stuffing and foam padding — apply to furniture frames under supervisor direction to begin building rounded, even surface profiles.","Work orders and material lists — read and interpret with assistance to determine fabric type and approximate quantity needed for a standard upholstery job.","Furniture frames and webbing — visually inspect under direction to recognize obvious defects such as broken springs or torn webbing in a shop setting.","Needles and thread — practice basic hand-sewing techniques to close simple rips or tears in upholstery material under instructor supervision.","Covering materials and adhesives — apply glue or cement to secure fabric edges to frames following step-by-step instructions in a vocational training shop.","Cotton batting and felt padding — layer and smooth onto seat cushions under guidance to achieve consistent thickness across entry-level furniture pieces.","Design sketches and cutting patterns — use with assistance to align fabric grain and match basic repeat patterns before cutting in a supervised workshop.","Spring and webbing replacements — assist a senior upholsterer in adjusting and securing springs in place on standard furniture frames during on-the-job training."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Fabric covering materials and power staplers — independently fit, stretch, and secure coverings on standard furniture frames with minimal oversight in a production upholstery shop.","Measuring and cutting instruments — accurately measure and cut new covering materials from design specifications and patterns with routine efficiency on a daily production schedule.","Foam, cotton, and loose fiber stuffing — select appropriate padding combinations and build up furniture surfaces to achieve smooth, consistent contours on repeat job types.","Work orders and material specifications — read and apply independently to calculate fabric yardage and supply requirements before beginning familiar upholstery projects.","Furniture frames, springs, and webbing — examine systematically to diagnose common defects and determine appropriate repair methods without supervisor prompting.","Webbing, padding, and spring systems — adjust or replace components and secure them correctly on standard residential and commercial furniture in a shop environment.","Hand-sewing needles and thread — execute tufting patterns and repair moderate tears with consistent stitch quality on upholstery projects of moderate complexity.","CAD or design software — navigate basic functions to review design layouts and confirm material placement requirements before cutting fabric on custom orders.","Adhesives, cement, and staples — select and apply the correct fastening method for each material type and substrate encountered in everyday furniture upholstery tasks.","Time management techniques — prioritize and sequence daily upholstery tasks to meet production deadlines across multiple furniture pieces simultaneously in a busy shop."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Custom upholstery projects — independently plan, execute, and finish complex furniture pieces using advanced hand tool skills and comprehensive knowledge of fabrics and construction methods.","Non-standard fabric patterns and specialty materials — measure, cut, and align with precision to meet custom design specifications on high-end or restoration furniture without supervision.","Multi-layer padding systems — select and build up foam, cotton, and fiber combinations autonomously to match original or specified contour profiles on antique and custom furniture.","Complex work orders and design drawings — interpret fully and apply critical thinking to resolve material ambiguities and adapt plans to non-routine or unfamiliar workpieces.","Structural defects in frames and suspension systems — diagnose root causes through thorough inspection and develop appropriate repair strategies for unusual or severe damage.","Spring, webbing, and padding replacements — execute complete suspension overhauls on a wide variety of furniture styles, including antique and automotive pieces, without assistance.","Tufting, channeling, and decorative sewing — produce consistent, high-quality hand and machine stitching on custom patterns across a broad range of upholstery applications.","ERP or production tracking software — enter and monitor job data accurately to support shop workflow visibility and material inventory control across active upholstery orders.","Problem sensitivity and judgment — anticipate material compatibility issues or structural weaknesses before they affect finished quality, adjusting methods proactively on complex jobs.","Mentorship of newer workers — demonstrate correct technique and explain decision-making rationale to apprentice-level upholsterers during live production tasks in a shop setting."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Shop-wide upholstery standards and workflows — establish and enforce quality benchmarks, tool protocols, and material specifications across all production staff in a furniture manufacturing or restoration business.","Custom and restoration project portfolios — lead design consultation with clients and translate complex requirements into detailed work orders and cutting patterns for the full production team.","Training curricula for upholstery skills — develop and deliver structured on-the-job instruction covering fabric selection, padding techniques, and frame repair for emerging and developing staff.","Material procurement and vendor relationships — evaluate fabric, foam, and hardware suppliers against quality and cost criteria to make purchasing decisions that support shop profitability.","Complex defect and failure analysis — diagnose systemic quality problems across multiple finished pieces and implement corrective process changes that reduce rework shop-wide.","Production scheduling and capacity planning — manage workflow assignments, tool availability, and deadline commitments across a team of upholsterers handling diverse concurrent projects.","CAD and process mapping tools — leverage design and planning software to optimize cutting layouts, reduce material waste, and document best-practice methods for organizational use.","Business performance metrics — interpret spreadsheet and ERP reports on labor hours, material costs, and job completion rates to guide operational decisions and continuous improvement.","Industry standards and safety regulations — ensure shop compliance with relevant workplace safety, material handling, and product quality standards, updating practices as regulations evolve.","Organizational reputation and business development — represent the upholstery operation to commercial clients, trade partners, and industry groups, building relationships that drive sustained growth."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}