Blacksmith apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a university coursea college coursean apprenticeshipworking towards this rolespecialist courses run by private training organisations
University
You can do a degree course in artist blacksmithing at university.
You'll need a portfolio of your work and creative ideas for course interviews. You'll usually need a foundation diploma in art and design, 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree.
College
You could take an introductory college course in working with metal before looking for a trainee position with a blacksmith.
You could also take a Level 2 in Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalworking though this is only available in a small number of places.
There is a Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding, which may lead you into industrial blacksmith work.
A course in general metalwork or art and design may also give you an advantage when looking for a job.
You may need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a Level 2 course. You'll need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a Level 3 course.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships relevant to this role include:
- Level 3 Blacksmith
- Level 2 General welder
- Level 3 Plate or Pipe welder
You may be able to use industrial welding experience to find a trainee blacksmith job with a specialist metalwork company.
You'll usually need some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for a Level 2 apprenticeship. You'll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for a Level 3 apprenticeship.
Work
You could work as an assistant to an experienced blacksmith and learn the craft on the job. Experience in metalwork and technical drawing can be useful for this career.
Other Routes
You'll find it useful to do a short course in blacksmithing. This will help you decide if it's a suitable career and may be useful if you plan to look for a training position. You'll need to show examples of your work and decorative ideas to get onto a design-related course or if contacting blacksmiths about trainee positions.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the British Artist Blacksmiths Association and The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for professional development and to make industry contacts.
Blacksmith apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- design skills and knowledge
- the ability to work well with your hands
- thinking and reasoning skills
- physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Blacksmith apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
You could:
- sketch out new design plans or follow customer instructions
- heat metals to the right temperature in a forge or furnace
- shape metals with hand tools like hammers, punches and anvils
- create moulds for casting
- use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses
- join metal parts together using riveting and welding methods
- apply finishes
Working environment
You could work in a factory, in a workshop or in a foundry workshop.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, hot and noisy.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression - Blacksmith apprenticeships
As an experienced artist blacksmith you could set up your own gallery. You could also teach craft skills.
As an industrial blacksmith, you could move into workshop management. You could also train to become a design engineer.