Aspiring apprentice looking for employment 2024

Aspiring apprentice looking for employment 2024

I’m Nat, an aspiring silversmith/ jeweller looking for an employer in or around London to support me through an apprenticeship with the British Academy of Jewellery starting September 2024. I am an extremely committed, and hard working individual, hoping to eventually start my own jewellery business with a focus on sustainability, and just need the opportunity to get my foot in the door of the industry. I am coming to this as a complete beginner, however I have always had a passion for making and experimenting, and have a little experience with wood carving recreationally. I also have experience of electrical soldering but I’m not sure how transferable this is as a skill.

I understand people expect that employing an apprentice is a burden on a company but often times it can be the opposite, the NAJ says ‘Taking on an apprentice can really benefit you as an employer. Taking on a new apprentice can help you to increase your workforce diversity and talent pool.’ and that 83% of employers would recommend apprenticeships to other businesses. 

The apprenticeship is a two year course with apprentices spending 3 days a week with their employer in the first year and 2 at the BAJ. The standard includes skills such as silversmithing, casting, stone setting, mounting, engraving, enamelling, CAD/ CAM processes, lapidary and polishing and finishing, with apprentices picking only one of these as a specialist function. 

I understand this is a massive ask of anyone, however this is a career I’m really excited and passionate about and I would have to wait at least another year to begin training if I can’t find an employer by early August. If anyone is even remotely interested, feel free to reach out either to myself or the British Academy of Jewellery for further information.