Blacksmith

Level

Advanced · like A-levels

Length

4 yrs

typical

Sector

Creative and design

Pay

Paid

you earn while training

In a nutshell

Using craft, art or skill to design, shape and join metal components by hot forging and other metal working processes for small batch or bespoke production and/or heritage metalwork conservation.

What you'd do

Heat steel in the forge to the correct working temperature

Shape and form metal on the anvil using hand hammers

Use power hammers, presses and swage tools

Weld and join components to a high standard

File, grind and finish metalwork before dispatch

Read drawings and set out work to correct dimensions

Maintain tools and keep the forge area safe and tidy

What you'd learn

Properties of iron and steel and how heat changes them

Forging techniques including drawing, upsetting and bending

Welding methods including MIG, TIG and forge welding

Use of the anvil, hammer, swage block and hardy tools

Pattern reading and design interpretation

Surface finishing including grinding, filing and patination

Safe working in a hot and noisy forge environment

Ready to look for a place?

See live Blacksmith apprenticeship vacancies on the official government service.

Find vacancies

A Careermash concept · apprenticeship standard from our careers engine · vacancies via gov.uk.