Blacksmith

Alternative titles for this job include Forge worker, artist blacksmith

Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

47 to 49 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a blacksmith

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

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

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

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.

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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, hot and noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice General Welder

  • Wage: £10,707.84 Annually
  • Location: Miller Road, Gainsborough

General Welding Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,982.40 Annually
  • Location: CALVER SOUGH, CALVER, HOPE VALLEY

Courses In England

Level 2 in Fabrication and Welding

  • Provider: NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: NORTHAMPTON

Fabrication and Welding - Level 3

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: Blackpool

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