Blacksmith
Blacksmiths create decorative and everyday items using different metals, and make and repair industrial tools and equipment.
Also known as: Forge worker, artist blacksmith
- Typical hours40 to 48 a week
What you'll do
As a blacksmith, you could:
- discuss design ideas for products with customers
- create plans by hand or using computer aided design
- heat metals to the right temperature in a forge or furnace
- shape metals with hand tools like hammers, punches and anvils
- use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses
- create moulds for casting
- join metal pieces together using riveting and welding methods
- apply finishes
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.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- thinking and reasoning skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- concentration skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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 foundation degree or degree course that covers metalworking, such as:
- artist blacksmithing
- craft practices
- design and craft
- art and design
You'll usually 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
College
You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed in this job. This could help when looking for a trainee position with a blacksmith.
Courses include:
- blacksmithing and metalworking
- fabrication and welding
- art and design
- T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply for an apprenticeship, for example:
- Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Blacksmith Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Plate or Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
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
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.
You may be able to use industrial welding experience to find a trainee blacksmith job with a specialist metalwork company.
Other routes
You could do a short introductory 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.
Career path and progression
As an experienced craft blacksmith you could create bespoke pieces for customers, work in metalwork restoration or teach craft skills.
As an industrial blacksmith, you could manage a workshop or do further training to become a design engineer.
Career tips
You need to show examples of your work and decorative ideas to get onto courses, and when contacting blacksmiths about trainee positions.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the British Artist Blacksmiths Association or The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for professional development and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
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