Blacksmith Apprenticeship
When most of us picture a blacksmith, we picture someone working at a hot forge hammering a piece of glowing red-hot metal into the desired shape. This is exactly how the profession works, even in the modern-day. Blacksmiths fabricate metal parts for industrial vehicles and make tools for agriculture and forestry. They can also create more decorative features like wrought iron railings and gates.
Blacksmithing isn’t as popular a profession as it used to be but there are still jobs and it is very specialised, so if you do pick up this skill set, you should be in demand.
What are Blacksmith Apprenticeships?
Blacksmithing apprenticeships will take place with a blacksmithing firm local to you. They will teach the practical skills necessary to work with metals at high heat in a safe manner. You will learn in practical terms how to work the forge, and the anvil and how to shape molten metal into different shapes, as required by clients.
The Benefits of Blacksmith Apprenticeships
The apprentice has the opportunity to learn a trade that doesn’t have all that many practitioners now compared to years gone by, so they will be likely to have demand for their services once they have finished their apprenticeship. They will become stronger and more powerful as blacksmithing can be quite physically intense and will require practice to build the strength needed to do it successfully.
What Does a Blacksmith Apprenticeship Involve?
A blacksmithing apprenticeship will typically involve you working with the blacksmith firm for 80% of your time, with the other 20% being occupied with off-the-jobsite learning activities. The studying will be provided by an external learning provider in accordance with the apprenticeship standard for blacksmithing that aims to ensure every apprentice learns the same basic set of information about their trade.
Are You Suited to a Blacksmith Apprenticeship?
If you are frivolous and not very serious, you may not be suited to blacksmithing. There is molten metal all around and behaving in a carefree way in that environment could lead to very serious consequences for all involved including serious burns or even death in extreme cases.
This job will also require a measure of strength, and diligence, as you can’t just stop hitting the metal when your arm gets tired. This could impact negatively on the ability to forge what the client expects to receive and cost the company either money, a client or both. This can be a very physically demanding job and it is important to be sure that you are able to do it before applying.
Applying for a Blacksmith Apprenticeship
If you are keen to apply for an apprenticeship in blacksmithing, you can search our dedicated jobs board for suitable opportunities or if you happen to be an employer, you can advertise your vacancy by buying job credits.
