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Blacksmith
Forge worker, artist blacksmith
Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items.
Average salary (a year)
£
Starter
£
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
47.0 to 49.0 hours
variable
Work Hours
freelance / self-employed
managing your own hours
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; specialist 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 to show at university interviews.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • a foundation diploma in art and design
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
You could do an introductory college course in working with metal before looking for a trainee position with a blacksmith.
You could do a:Level 3 Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalworking but there are usually only a few places available, Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Techniques and Skills to get into industrial blacksmithing, T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control to get some general blacksmithing skills, course in general metalwork or art and design as it might give you an advantage when looking for a job
Entry requirements
You may need:
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships you can take to become a blacksmith include
general welder intermediate apprenticeship, blacksmith advanced apprenticeship, plate or pipe welder advanced apprenticeship
You may be able to use industrial welding experience to find a trainee blacksmith job with a specialist metalwork company.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could work as an assistant to an experienced blacksmith and learn the craft on the job. You might find it useful if you have experience in metalwork and technical drawing.
Other Routes
You'll find it useful to do a short course in blacksmithing. This will help you decide if it's a career that would suit you. The British Artist Blacksmiths Association has details of training organisations.
More Information
Career Tips
You usually need to show examples of your work and decorative ideas to get onto courses or if you're 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.
Further Information
You can get more details about working as an artist blacksmith from the British Artist Blacksmiths Association.
You can also find out about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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, dexterity and grace
    The ability to use your initiative
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    To be flexible and open to change
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
You could
sketch out new designs 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 and apply finishes, use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses, join metal parts together using riveting and welding methods
Working environment
You could work in a factory, in a workshop or in a foundry workshop.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, hot and noisy.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
As an experienced artist blacksmith you could set up your own gallery or teach craft skills.
As an industrial blacksmith, you could manage a workshop or train to become a design engineer.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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