Level 3 Apprenticeship in Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades Professional


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Apprenticeships give motivated and talented individuals a great start in their career of choice. The new Apprenticeship Standard for Jewellery, Silversmithing, and Allied Trades Professionals also offers many benefits to employers and is designed to help subsidise training much-needed staff in businesses across the UK.


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  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Number of hours in employment: Average 30 per week
  • Number of days at the Academy: 2 per week


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Overview

The course runs for two years and training mainly takes place in the BAJ workshop, with some online sessions. After completing the Level 3 Jewellery Fundamentals programme in year 1, Apprentices will learn specialist jewellery-making skills to deepen their understanding of the craft during year 2 while continuing to work for their employer. 

Over the final four months of the apprenticeship, an assessment will be carried out to confirm that the Apprentice has attained the core knowledge, skills, and behaviour of both the apprenticeship and their specialist pathway to ensure they complete the programme ready to excel in their jewellery career.

Overview

The course runs for two years and training mainly takes place in the BAJ workshop, with some online sessions. After completing the Level 3 Jewellery Fundamentals programme in year 1, Apprentices will learn specialist jewellery-making skills to deepen their understanding of the craft during year 2 while continuing to work for their employer. 

Over the final four months of the apprenticeship, an assessment will be carried out to confirm that the Apprentice has attained the core knowledge, skills, and behaviour of both the apprenticeship and their specialist pathway to ensure they complete the programme ready to excel in their jewellery career.


Enquire now

Delivered in partnership with


Student Work














Business Requirements

BAJ can advise employers on eligibility for the programme. Please contact our recruitment team for assistance.

What does the Apprenticeship look like?

The BAJ Apprenticeship model is expected to take 2 years to complete.

Initial training period: Months 1-10 (September to July) – 2 days weekly at BAJ, remaining days spent with the employer. Apprenticeship training at BAJ in this period will help develop core skills, knowledge and behaviour as required by the Standard.

Secondary training period: Months 11-24. Apprentices will attend 3-4 days per month at BAJ, with the majority of the remaining time spent with the employer. Apprentices will attend Jewellery masterclasses to develop specialist skills relevant to the Apprenticeship pathways, and to develop a portfolio of evidence.

Endpoint Assessment: Approximately 4 months – completed in the workplace

Funding & Cost

Where an Apprentice is aged 16 – 21 (or 22 – 24 with an education, health and care plan provided by their local authority or has been in the care of their local authority) and the business is not a levy payer, the Apprenticeship training is fully funded by the Government.

If the Apprentice is 21+ and is not a care leaver or has an EHCP the business pays 5% towards the training costs at an expected cost of £800.

Levy employers will pay the full £16,000 training costs from their levy fund. 

Apprentices must be paid the Apprenticeship wage (as a minimum) in the first year and the national minimum wage thereafter.

Case Study


“Working with BAJ and their apprenticeship programme has given us a secure framework for our apprentices. The process has been simple to implement, and the support has been second to none.”
– Gary Wroe MBA, Managing Director, Hockley Mint

How to recruit an apprentice

We’re here to support you to make the recruitment process as and straightforward as possible.

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Express Interest in Apprenticeship

Businesses interested in the apprenticeship programme can easily express their interest through our online platform or by contacting our dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator.
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Programme Introduction and Requirements

Our Apprenticeship Coordinator will promptly reach out to provide detailed information about the apprenticeship programme, including its requirements and the application process.
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Find a Candidate

Employers can advertise apprenticeship vacancies for free on the government’s

Recruit an Apprentice

platform or through their preferred recruitment channels to attract potential candidates.
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Apprentice Registration and Eligibility Checks

Once a suitable candidate is found, employers can register their apprentice(s) with us. Our team will conduct eligibility checks to ensure compliance with programme requirements.
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Apprenticeship Portal Registration and Funding Reservation

Employers will be guided through registering on the Apprenticeship Portal and reserving funding for their apprentice, ensuring financial support for the duration of the programme.
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Contract Completion and Initial Assessments

Employers will finalise the contract for services with BAJ by June or July. In August, initial assessments will take place, and a comprehensive training plan will be issued to set clear objectives for the apprenticeship.
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Apprenticeship Commencement

The apprenticeship officially begins in September, marking the start of the structured learning and practical experience journey for the apprentice.
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Ongoing Support and Communication

Throughout the apprenticeship, regular contact will be maintained between BAJ and the employer to provide support, guidance, and monitoring, ensuring a successful and fulfilling experience for both parties. This will be via a review every 8 – 12 weeks.
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Register Your Interest Employers for Jewellery Apprenticeship

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Learn fully funded foundational jewellery manufacturing techniques in the BAJ workshop as you work in the jewellery industry and earn an income.

BAJ Apprentices learn core manufacture, design, theory, and 2D CAD skills to give them a strong understanding of the entire jewellery-making process before they specialise and follow their own professional pathway. The apprenticeship is ideal for someone keen to study as they earn and are passionate about beginning a career in the jewellery industry and allied trades.


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  • Level: Beginner, Level 3
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Location: Birmingham or London
  • Tuition fee: No cost to the student/Apprentice
  • Employment hours: Average 30 per week
  • Hours in education: 2 days per week


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Overview

The course runs for two years and training mainly takes place in the BAJ workshop, with some online sessions. After completing the Level 3 Jewellery Fundamentals programme in year 1, Apprentices will learn specialist jewellery-making skills to deepen their understanding of the craft during year 2 while continuing to work for their employer. 

Over the final four months of the apprenticeship, an assessment will be carried out to confirm that the Apprentice has attained the core knowledge, skills, and behaviour of both the apprenticeship and their specialist pathway to ensure they complete the programme ready to excel in their jewellery career.

Overview

The course runs for two years and training mainly takes place in the BAJ workshop, with some online sessions. After completing the Level 3 Jewellery Fundamentals programme in year 1, Apprentices will learn specialist jewellery-making skills to deepen their understanding of the craft during year 2 while continuing to work for their employer. 

Over the final four months of the apprenticeship, an assessment will be carried out to confirm that the Apprentice has attained the core knowledge, skills, and behaviour of both the apprenticeship and their specialist pathway to ensure they complete the programme ready to excel in their jewellery career.


Enquire now

Delivered in partnership with


Student Work
















Entry requirements

No prior knowledge or skills are required to take the course but some prior jewellery knowledge may be advantageous. This course is suitable for those without a previous qualification in jewellery at a level 3 or higher.

Applicants must find an employer, who will employ them as an Apprentice for an average of 30 hours of employment per week for the duration of the programme. 

Apprentices aged 16-18 are required to have Functional skills L2 or equivalent (GCSE grade 4) Maths and English to achieve their apprenticeship.

BAJ will carry out an initial assessment of Apprentices’ existing skills, knowledge and behaviours prior to enrollment.

Fees & funding

No cost to the Apprentice. 


Find out more about employer costs and funding.

Apprentices will be paid by their employer the Apprenticeship wage (as a minimum) in the first year and the national minimum wage thereafter.

Apprenticeship Specialism Options

Choose from the following specialisms:


  • CAD/CAM processes

  • Casting

  • Enamelling

  • Engraving

  • Mounting

  • Polishing/finishing

  • Silversmithing

  • Stone setting


Apprenticeship Specialism Options

Choose from the following specialisms:


  • CAD/CAM processes

  • Casting

  • Enamelling

  • Mounting

  • Engraving

  • Silversmithing

  • Stone setting

  • Polishing/finishing

  • Lapidary

Apprenticeship Specialism Options

Choose from the following specialisms:


  • CAD/CAM processes

  • Casting

  • Enamelling

  • Mounting

  • Engraving

  • Silversmithing

  • Stone setting

  • Polishing/finishing


Learn More About the Jewellery Apprentice Standards Here


Click here

Case Study


“One of the benefits of this course has been gaining valuable knowledge from teachers who have experience in the trade. Being able to talk through projects and next steps has helped me plan how to continue building my jewellery career.”
– Seb Buckley, Level 3 Jewellery Apprentice

Careers and Progression

BAJ Apprentices will go on to work for their apprenticeship employer.

By gaining practical skills and workplace experience, progressing apprentices will have a fully stocked toolkit with which to begin their careers in the industry.

How to Look for an Employer

We’re here to support you. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Contact us

Advise the BAJ recruitment team so they can register your interest.

Begin searching for a suitable employer. You can look for vacancies on the Government apprenticeship website – findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch or jewellery focused sites like Benchpeg.com. Alternatively directly approach bench and manufacturing jewellers with your CV for potential opportunities.

Once you have a confirmed offer to join an employer as an apprentice, let the BAJ recruitment team know so that we can confirm employer suitability and start your application process.

Register Your Interest Students for Jewellery Apprenticeship

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Your details(Required)





Your email address(Required)





I consent to receive marketing communications from the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ). I want to stay informed about (please tick all relevant fields):













You can unsubscribe at any time.

How did you first hear about the BAJ?(Required)





















This field is hidden when viewing the form

Your data will be stored and processed in line with our Privacy Notice. For more information please visit: https://baj.ac.uk/privacy-statement/













Next steps


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In line with the Customer Act, we reserve the right to close a course
– if there are insufficient student numbers to make the course financially viable.

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