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Apprentice Goldsmith
Today’s goldsmith and jewellery apprenticeships are much the same as traditional indentured goldsmith training, which reaches back to mediaeval times and beyond. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths’ (The Goldsmiths’ Company controls and manages in-demand seven-year apprenticeships of contracted on-the-job training with limited entry numbers and capacity each year.
As an apprentice, you learn on the job, training until your manufacturing techniques reach an industry standard. You continue to learn even in full time employment as you move towards junior positions.
Modern government-funded apprentices or levied courses part paid by employers go to Level 3 (the equivalent of an A level) and follow the academic year. Other formal and informal apprenticeships are available. Contact the National Association of Jewellers for more details.
Length of Training
3 Years
Salary Expectations
£15,000+
Qualification Requirements
Experience
None. The apprenticeship takes between 3 and 7 years.
Knowledge
As an apprentice, you train either as a goldsmith specialist or bench generalist.
Specialisms include:
•Mounting
•Setting
•Finishing
•General benchwork includes:
•Technical jewellery manufacturing
•Saw piercing, soldering, forging, assembly
•Assembling and finishing castings
•Clasp fittings, spring fittings (en tremblant)
•Laser welding
•Mounting
•Setting prong, bezel, channel, bar, pave, tension, flush / burnish, bead, invisible and cluster
•Micro setting
•Finishing, plating, polishing
•Stock and customer repairs polishing
•Matrix / Rhino
•Interpret designs to a 3D object
Skills
As well as having technical hand skills:
Personal Attributes
Qualification Requirements
You may have a GCSE in design technology, art or craft.
You may have studied physics, design technology, crafts or engineering at A level.
You may have done a pre-apprentice course, an HND or a City & Guilds Level 2 / 3 in jewellery manufacture.
Or you may just be really good with your hands, love making and fixing things, have an inquisitive nature and a flair for design and colour.
Role Also Called
Apprentice goldsmith, Apprentice jeweller, Apprentice setter, Apprentice mounter,Apprentice finisher (polishing and plating)
