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Jewellery designer-maker apprenticeships

Creative and media

Jewellery designer-maker apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • specialist courses run by a professional body


    • University

    You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in: 

    • jewellery design 
    • jewellery and metal design 
    • 3D design crafts
    • art and design
    You'll usually need: 

    • a foundation diploma in art and design 
    • 1 or 2 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma 
    • 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree 
    College
    You can do short courses in specific types of jewellery making at college, or through a private course provider like a jewellery studio or workshop. Courses vary in content so it's worth checking carefully to make sure they cover what you need. Entry requirements for these courses vary. 

    Apprenticeship
    You may be able to start in this job through a Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades Professional higher apprenticeship. The British Academy of Jewellery offers Apprenticeships in jewellery manufacture and design across England. The Goldsmiths' Company offers Apprenticeships to young people aged 16 to 21 in London and the south-east.

    You'll usually need: 

    • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for a Level 2 apprenticeship
    • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for a Level 3 apprenticeship 
    Other Routes
    You can do short, specialist courses run by organisations like the British Academy of Jewellery. Jewellery design is very competitive and not all vacancies are advertised. You may find it useful to make contacts within the industry to help find work. You could do this by going to trade fairs and exhibitions or joining online craft forums.

    Jewellery designer-maker apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • the ability to work well with your hands
    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail 
    • customer service skills 
    • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things 
    • analytical thinking skills 
    • design skills and knowledge 
    • the ability to use your initiative
    • ambition and a desire to succeed 
    • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

    Jewellery designer-maker apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    You could: 

    • discuss a design brief with your client
    • produce designs by hand or using CAD software
    • make up models of jewellery for mass production 
    • source gemstones, precious metals and other jewellery parts 
    • use equipment like jewellery saws and soldering irons 
    • cut, polish and set gemstones or other materials
    • use different metals in your jewellery making like silver, gold or palladium 
    • use materials like polymer clays, resins, wood or glass 
    • market and sell your work, if self-employed
    Working environment
    You could work in a creative studio, from home, in a workshop or in a factory.

    Career path and progression - Jewellery designer-maker apprenticeships

    You could become self-employed and sell your designs to manufacturers or directly to clients. Or, you could make up the designs and sell them yourself through galleries, in shops and online.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

    Start searching for Apprenticeships Near You

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