Training and Qualifications: How to Start in Jewellery, Silversmithing and the Allied Industries

There are various types of goldsmithing apprenticeships available within the UK varying in length, qualification level, subject area and geographical location. If you are interested in doing an apprenticeship you would benefit from contacting different providers in your area to find out more information about the different apprenticeship schemes and any eligibility criteria. The information below outlines some of the options:

A traditional apprenticeship, such as the Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme, will provide you with practical, work-based training for between 3 and 5 years under the guidance of your employer or Master. Training will take place within the workshop of a goldsmithing business and should be full-time i.e. a minimum of 37.5 hours per week. You may also be enrolled with a college or training provider for additional training and to work towards a qualification. You should be taught a range of relevant skills over the term of your apprenticeship and these should start with the basics and build in complexity over-time. It is normal to have a training plan or syllabus which lays out the practical training you will be expected to complete using a range of materials, tools, equipment and techniques. By the end of your apprenticeship you should have an in-depth knowledge and practical experience of your specialist area and be confident to move on into becoming a full-employee within your chosen job role.

The Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme is a traditional apprenticeship dating back almost 700 years. During their time Goldsmiths’ Company apprentices get 19 days of day release training per year, work towards a level 4 qualification and will become a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company upon successful completion of their time. At present the scheme only operates within London and the South-East and only Freemen of the Goldsmiths’ Company are eligible to take on an apprentice. Applicants must have already completed one year of work experience either via the Goldsmiths’ Centre Foundation Programme or within in a workshop prior to starting on the scheme. For further information see The Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education are working to develop apprenticeships which support employers, potential apprentices and the UK economy. These apprenticeship standards, called Trailblazers, are being developed in conjunction with employers and industry organisations at present. A Trailblazer Framework for Jewellery, Silversmithing and the Allied Trades has recently been approved is expected to go live imminently across England and Wales. Trailblazer apprentices will work towards level 3 vocational qualifications and on average they will take 2 years to complete their apprenticeship. More information on organisations providing Trailblazer will be provided as it becomes available.

As an apprentice you are employed by a company and must be paid a wage for your work. Wages can vary depending on age, what year of an apprenticeship you are in and the company that you are working for. The current average wage for a Goldsmiths’ Company Apprentice starts from approximately £13,000 per year and raises up to an average of £18,000 by the end of the apprenticeship.

The following organisations run apprenticeship schemes or can provide you with further information on this route: 

• The Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme
• UCAS – Apprenticeships & Traineeships
• UK Government website 
• British Academy of Jewellery
• City & Guilds

When you are starting out you may not yet know what area you want to specialise in or even what skills you are good at or enjoy. There are multiple courses across the UK which can introduce you to the goldsmithing industry normally through workshop or classroom-based teaching. These courses normally last for 1 or 2 academic years and often lead to a nationally recognised qualification. This type of course is a good way of trying out a range of subjects and can help you build a portfolio of skills which you can add to in the future. Some of these courses may be a pre-requisite of other training routes such as a degree.

Depending on your age, learner level and where you choose to study, Foundation courses can be free or may cost you a fee. You should check with the individual training centre for more information. Learner loans may be available to support you study. 

The following organisations run Foundation or introductory courses or can provide you with further information on this route: 

• Goldsmiths’ Centre Foundation Programme
• UCAS – Further education
• UCAS - Money
• UK Government – Advanced Learner Loans
• UK Government – Student Finance
• British Academy of Jewellery
• Central Saint Martins
• City of Glasgow College
• De Montford University 
• Fife College
• Glasgow Kelvin College
• Hereford College of Art
• Loughborough University
• Plymouth College of Art
• The Manchester College 
• Truro & Penwith College
• University of Dundee DJCAD
• University of Wolverhampton

An HND course in jewellery and silversmithing will allow you to learn a range of bench skills and receive an introduction to related technologies in a more hands-on way than if you were studying for a degree. These courses often focus on preparing you for industry and the work produced by HND students is often more commercial than work from a Degree student. Many HND courses will work closely with industry partners on specific live projects and will give you the opportunity to study and gain practical skills in a shorter amount of time than a degree as they are often 1 or 2 years in length. A HND is equivalent to the first 2 years of a Bachelors Degree and normally allows you to progress onto a full Degree or specialised top-up Degree. 

HND courses are normally based within a college or university and will charge you a fee. These can be cheaper than a 3-year degree, but fees are set by the institution and you should check with them directly for current information. Student loans may be available to support you study. 

The following organisations offer HND programmes in jewellery and silversmithing or can provide you with further information on this route: 

• UCAS - Undergraduate
• UCAS - Money 
• UK Government – Student Finance
• Student Loans Company 
• Birmingham City University School of Jewellery
• City of Glasgow College 
• Fife College Glasgow Kelvin College

Silversmithing and jewellery degree courses are offered all around the country and will teach you about precious metals as part of their syllabus. The focus of a degree course is to experiment with materials, processes, machinery and technology in order to develop your own approach to creative problem solving. Alongside practical skills you will be encouraged to question and challenge everything with the aim of pushing the boundaries of design, materials and creative thinking. Degree courses are for you if you enjoy a mixture of theory and practise alongside developing your individuality. Students who learn via a Degree should be comfortable with self-directed study.

All Degree courses will charge you a course fee per year. Fees are set by the institution and you should check with them directly for current fee information. Student loans may be available to support you study.  

The following Universities offer Degree courses or can provide you with further information on this route: 

• UCAS - Undergraduate
• UCAS - Money
• UK Government – Student Finance
• Student Loans Company
• Birmingham City University School of Jewellery
• British Academy of Jewellery
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• Carmarthen School of Art - Coleg Sir Gâr
• Central Saint Martins
• De Montford University
• East Sussex
• Edinburgh College of Art
• Glasgow School of Art
• Hereford College of Art
• London College of Fashion
• London Metropolitan University
• National College of Art and Design - Dublin
• Plymouth College of Art
• Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, Gray’s School of Art
• Truro and Penwith College
• Ulster University
• University of Dundee DJCAD

If you have a Degree or significant industry experience you may wish to complete a Masters or Postgraduate course in order to further your knowledge and study within a specific area. Masters and Postgraduate courses are often heavily research based and you will need to have a focus on the area that you wish to specialise in. Many Postgraduate or Masters Degrees will focus on trying to solve current industry issues, integrate technological developments into the sector or to prepare you to become an expert in your field. Depending on the level of course and whether you wish to study full or part-time, these courses can take between 1 year and 4 years to complete and you will be expected to produce a portfolio of your work and a thesis of your research and findings.

All Masters and Postgraduate courses will charge you a fee per year and these are often less expensive than Degree fees due to more self-directed study. Fees are set by the institution and you should check with them directly for current fee information. Postgraduate student loans may be available to support you study.

The following Universities offer Masters Degree or Postgraduate courses or can provide you with further information on this route: 

• UCAS - Postgraduate
• UCAS - Money
• UK Government – Student Finance
• Student Loans Company
• Birmingham City University School of Jewellery
• Central Saint Martins
• Hereford College of Art
• Plymouth College of Art
• Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
• Royal College of Art
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Ulster University

Some jobs within the goldsmithing industry require you to hold specific qualifications within the subject area. These include roles as a Diamond Grader, Gemmologist (gem stones), Horologist (watches and clocks) or Valuer. These roles require specific skills and often require you to become a member of an industry body or to complete additional training in order to remain aware of the current industry guidelines. Some of these skills can be learnt remotely online, within a classroom or practically within a workshop. It is likely that you will have to demonstrate your knowledge, practical skills and ongoing development to the subject in order to do your job. 

Skill-specific courses will normally charge you a fee, but some employers may cover this for you in return for you working for the company. Fees will vary dependant on level and type of study and some industry organisations may require you to pay to retain your membership with them. You should check with the individual bodies for current fee information. Some organisations may offer scholarships or bursaries to support you study. 

The following areas and organisations run courses or can provide you with further information on the various roles:

Within the goldsmithing industry there is always something new to learn or skills that can be developed. Short courses can run from a couple of hours one evening through to a day a week over a period of time. Short courses are a good way of trying out a skill or subject to see whether you like them without spending a lot of money or time. Craftspeople and businesses at all levels can benefit from learning via short courses as it can allow you to remain current, develop your practise, expand your knowledge, understanding and confidence or even just spend some time trying something new.

There is a huge variation in short course fees dependant on the skill being taught, duration of the course and whether there is any sort of accreditation involved. You should check with the individual training provider for current cost information. 

There are many short courses available and the following Colleges, Universities and Institutions run short courses or can provide you with further information on them: 

• The Goldsmiths’ Centre
• Birmingham City University School of Jewellery
• Central Saint Martins
• CityLit
• City of Glasgow College
• Glasgow Kelvin College
• Hereford College of Art
• JET Programme
• Learning with Experts
• London Metropolitan University
• Morley College
• National Association of Jewellers
• Plymouth College of Art
• Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
• The Gemmological Association of Great Britain
• University of Dundee DJCAD
• West Dean
• Vanilla Ink
• Vanessa Seecheran