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.
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 2 years
- Number of hours in employment: Average 30 per week
- Number of days at the Academy: 2 per week
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.Â
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.
Student Work
Business Requirements
What does the Apprenticeship look like?
The BAJ Apprenticeship model is expected to take 2 years to complete.
Initial training period: 2 days weekly at BAJ, remaining time with employer. September to July – Apprentices attend training at BAJ for two days per week to develop core skills, knowledge and behaviour as required by the Standard.
Specialist skills training: 3-4 days per month at BAJ, remaining time with the employer. Apprentices attend masterclasses to develop skills relevant to the Apprenticeship pathways and 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.Â
Apprentices must be paid the Apprenticeship wage (as a minimum) in the first year and the national minimum wage thereafter.
How to recruit an apprentice
Express Interest in Apprenticeship
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.
- 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
Overview
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.
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.Â
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.Â
For more information about cost for the employer, please click here.
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
- CAD/CAM processes
- Casting
- Enamelling
- Mounting
- Engraving
- Silversmithing
- Stone setting
- Polishing/finishing
- Lapidary
Case Study
Careers and Progression
By gaining practical skills and workplace experience, progressing apprentices will have a fully stocked toolkit with which to begin their careers in the industry.
Next steps
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.
