Blacksmith
Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items.
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
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.
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
How to become
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
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
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
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
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'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.
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.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.