Wake Up to a Career in Beds

Jobs in the bed industry

Just left school or uni? Looking for a job? Not sure where to start? There’s a career for everyone in the bed industry. Join us, we’re a friendly bunch!

The bed industry in the UK and Ireland is thriving. From apprenticeships to upskilling in your current role, there really is something for everyone in the bed industry. You can even gain qualifications whilst in your role – as seen in our video below.

There’s so much more to the bed industry than you probably realise. You can:

Make things (tape edgers, sewing machinists, upholsterers, divan makers)
Plan and organise (production planning, logistics & warehousing)
Build on engineering and electrical skills – there’s plenty of machinery in a bed factory
Help the planet (sustainability and circular economy work)
Buy and sell stuff (purchasing components & raw materials as well as sales roles – internal or ‘on the road’)
Design stuff (product development, marketing)
Crunch numbers and analyse data (accounts)
Drive vehicles – delivering a great night’s sleep!
Draw and develop CAD skills (design, product development)
Get stuck into IT
Test things (lab work)
Help people (customer services, account management)
Ensure things are done right (compliance, quality)

The future of the bed industry is green – help us achieve this

If you’re interested in a job in sustainability, the bed industry is for you. Sustainability and circular economy work is critical to the future of the bed industry and many of our members are working hard towards improving their working environments, processes and products, (see our NBF Green pages for more information about NBF initiatives to support our members’ green journeys).

So, if you’re aged 15-24 and interested in finding a job or training opportunities in the bed industry, see if there’s a bed factory recruiting near you. Visit MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk.

Or, why not kickstart your career in the bed industry through an apprenticeship? See below for details on the various services provided by The Furniture & Interiors Education, Skills & Training Alliance (FIESTA).

I’m aged over 24 years old; can I still find a job in the bed industry?

Yes, there is absolutely a place for you in the bed industry too. All of the job roles listed above are open to people of any age. Find out if there’s a bed factory recruiting near you via your preferred job seekers website. Apprenticeships are also a great way to progress in any stage of your career, no matter your age.

Employers

MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk offers businesses operating in the UK furniture and furnishing industry a specialist recruitment and training service. Hosted by The Furniture Makers Company, the furniture and furnishings industry charity, you can advertise job vacancies for free and access a comprehensive directory of training providers to upskill employees.

This new website, aimed at young people aged 15 – 24 seeks to inspire those who are still deciding on a career path, signpost those looking for industry-specific training and connect those seeking a job in the industry.

Register an account to start listing jobs or use FIESTA’s services below to help you recruit apprentices.

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Download the free NBF careers videos toolkit, which includes the main video, two shorter mobile-friendly videos, social media graphics and suggested copy.

FIESTA

Attracting new talent to work in our industry and plugging future skills gaps

The NBF is a member of the Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA) – an alliance of industry organisations that aims to reduce the widening skills gap.

FIESTA proudly supports NBF members and businesses across the bed industry in accessing high-quality apprenticeship services. NBF members can access FIESTA’s services for FREE (normally worth £500), giving businesses direct access to tailored advice on apprenticeships, funding and training.

Whether you’re new to apprenticeships or looking to streamline your recruitment process, our tailored support packages make it easy to find, train and develop the next generation of skilled professionals.

Learn about the exciting new apprenticeship standard to support mattress manufacturing.

www.fiesta.org.uk

Apprenticeship Opportunities for the Bed Sector

Hire an apprentice and invest in the future of your business

From mattress manufacturing and finishing to roles in logistics, sales, and administration, apprenticeships can help you build a skilled and sustainable workforce.

Beyond hands-on roles, apprenticeships are also available for essential business functions like administration, customer service, management, sales, retail, team leadership, warehousing and much more.

With Government funding covering up to 95–100% of training and assessment costs, apprenticeships are a powerful and cost-effective way to develop qualified staff, tailored specifically to the needs of your business.

With Government funding available to cover 95 – 100% of training costs, apprenticeships are a cost-effective way to develop qualified staff, tailored to the needs of your business.

How FIESTA can help you

Essential Guidance (Free)

Perfect for businesses new to apprenticeships, with limited time or resources.

Includes:

Discovery Session: Understand your business and apprenticeship goals.
Programme Matching: Help in choosing the right apprenticeship standard.
Training Provider Connection: A shortlist of up to three suitable providers for you to contact.
Funding and Grants Support: Guidance on financial incentives available.
Job Description Template: Editable and easy to use.
Standard Apprentice Guide: Supporting onboarding and helping your apprentice settle in.
Basic Induction Guide: To help structure their first weeks.

Tailored Assistance (£250)

Ideal for businesses seeking more personalised advice while managing the process themselves.

Includes everything in Essential Guidance, plus:

Training Provider Liaison: We contact providers and arrange calls on your behalf.
Tailored Job Description Creation: Crafted to attract the right candidates.
Branded Apprentice Guide: Personalised with your logo and colours.
Apprentice Induction Framework: Structured guidance for their first weeks.
Advertising Tips: Advice on where and how to promote your vacancy.

Full Recruitment Service (10% of the Apprentice’s annual salary)

Normally 15% – currently available at 10% for National Bed Federation members.

Our comprehensive recruitment solution manages the entire process for you:

Discovery Session
Job Description Creation
Training Provider Connection
Vacancy Advertising (NAS and job boards)
Candidate Screening
Interview Coordination
Branded Apprentice Guide
Induction Framework
Onboarding Support

Available apprenticeships include:

Level 2 Mattress Making Operative
Furniture finisher
Wood machinist
Lean manufacturing operative
Upholsterer
Modern furniture service repairer

Plus business and operational roles such as:

Customer service
Team leader/supervisor
Warehousing
Sales executive
Business administrator

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Find out more about FIESTA's Apprenticeship Services

Apprentices and employers can email the FIESTA team at info@fiesta.org.uk

DWP Manufacturing Vacancies Filling Drive

Join us and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in their drive for filling manufacturing vacancies

The manufacturing sector is vital to the UK economy and as the economy evolves, sectors are experiencing different levels of growth, change, and challenge.

For employers, this means navigating shifting workforce demands while building skilled, inclusive, and resilient teams.

The DWP offers a comprehensive range of free employer-facing services to support recruitment, training, and workforce development in the bed industry.

New Apprenticeship Standard to Support Mattress Manufacturing

How DWP supports employers

DWP provides a suite of free programmes and services to help employers recruit and upskill staff efficiently.

Employers can access support through local teams, which includes assistance to create job adverts, use of local Jobcentre facilities for interviews (where space is available) and opportunities to attend local job fairs.

Alongside this DWP provides a suite of programmes which include

Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) and the Wales Skills to Employment Pathway (WSEP) offer pre-employment training tailored to industry needs, ensuring candidates are equipped with relevant skills before starting work.

SWAPs offer businesses the opportunity to trial a candidate who has received relevant training in a role and if they are a match, hire them through a guaranteed interview.

Work Experience placements and Work Trials allow employers to assess candidates in real-world settings, improving hiring outcomes and retention.

These programmes are flexible, cost-effective, and adaptable to a wide range of roles, from technical to customer-facing positions. Employers can collaborate with local Jobcentres to tailor recruitment and training efforts to meet specific business needs.

DWP also supports inclusive hiring practices. The Disability Confident scheme helps organisations attract and retain disabled talent, while Jobcentre partnerships enable outreach to underrepresented groups. These initiatives promote workforce diversity and contribute to broader social impact.

Central to the drive is Find a job, the government’s internet jobs board, which brings together employers and their vacancies with people who are looking for work. It’s free to use for employers based in England, Scotland and Wales. It is self-service, available 24/7, and can be accessed at a time that suits employers in terms of creating and managing their job advertisements.

This service complements DWP’s local and national support, helping employers connect with candidates quickly and effectively.

For more tailored support, employers can contact the Employer Services Line for expert advice and labour market insights. The Employer Services Line can link you with Jobcentre Plus teams across the UK, helping you tap into a diverse pool of candidates and community networks.

Organisations with complex recruitment needs—such as large-scale hiring or multi-site expansion—can reach out to the DWP Strategic Relationship Team for bespokeassistance. Contact: srt.newbusiness@dwp.gov.uk

You can find out more about how DWP can support you by visiting How Jobcentre Plus can help employers.