South Africa’s furniture industry needs skilled people to grow. As experienced workers leave the sector, developing a new generation of work-ready talent is becoming increasingly important. SAFI’s FP&M SETA-funded Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Programme is designed to do exactly that, with 120 unemployed learners set to gain 12 months of structured workplace experience within furniture manufacturing businesses across South Africa.
Moving from planning to placement
Following an intensive planning and recruitment phase during July and August 2026, the programme is moving into implementation. SAFI is verifying learner eligibility, matching candidates with suitable host employers and finalising the documentation required for placements.
Importantly, interest in the programme has already exceeded its current funded capacity. SAFI now has a database of 162 potential learners, including an additional pipeline of 37 learners identified through Northlink College and Sihlalo. This provides a valuable pool for replacements as well as potential future expansion of the programme.
“Training can teach the fundamentals, but there is no substitute for experience in a real manufacturing environment,” says Lynn Adonis, SAFI Administrator & Qualifications Manager. “This programme gives learners the opportunity to understand production, quality, productivity and what is expected of them in the workplace.”
Manufacturers answer the call
The response from industry has been equally encouraging. By August, 35 furniture manufacturers had registered as host employers, collectively offering 174 workplace learning opportunities. Gauteng accounts for 98 opportunities, the Western Cape for 48 and KwaZulu-Natal for 22, with a further six available through national or multi-province manufacturers.
“For me, that response is one of the most exciting parts of the programme,” says Adonis. “It shows that manufacturers recognise the skills challenge and are prepared to play an active role in addressing it.”
The fact that industry has offered considerably more workplace opportunities than the 120 currently funded placements is significant. It not only demonstrates manufacturers’ willingness to participate, but also gives SAFI a strong foundation from which to motivate for future skills-development opportunities.
Host employers provide structured workplace learning through their normal operations and nominate an experienced employee to mentor and supervise learners. Importantly, businesses do not need QCTO or FP&M SETA accreditation to participate as host employers.
Information from the factory floor
The WIL Programme is also giving SAFI something that could have a longer-term impact on skills development: direct intelligence about the skills manufacturers actually need.
The latest data shows very high employer demand for furniture making, cabinet making, carpentry and joinery, furniture upholstery and general furniture manufacturing. Furniture assembly, wood machining, quality control and production support are also in high demand, while CNC operations, furniture design, finishing, installation, warehousing and dispatch feature among other areas of need.
“This is valuable intelligence because it comes directly from manufacturers and reflects what is happening on factory floors,” says Adonis. “It helps us understand where the skills gaps are and where future training efforts need to be focused.” This information can help SAFI work more closely with training providers and other skills-development partners to ensure that future programmes are aligned with real workplace demand, rather than training people for skills the industry does not require.
Building a stronger skills pipeline
The formal Expression of Interest period for the current intake closed on 20 August 2026 and SAFI is now progressing towards placement and implementation. Manufacturers interested in supporting workplace learning are encouraged to contact SAFI about future opportunities.
“This is an investment in the future workforce of our industry,” concludes Adonis. “The more opportunities we create for people to gain meaningful workplace experience, the stronger our skills pipeline becomes.”
For further information, contact Lynn Adonis at SAFI on 011 888 0655 or safi.admin@furnituresa.org.za.
