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

1. Fill a skills gap in your business 

After they complete their foundational jewellery manufacturing training, Apprentices are able to specialise in one of a wide selection of skills ranging from enamelling to CAD. This enables businesses to take on an Apprentice to fill a specific skills gap in their operations and have them trained in BAJ’s world-class jewellery making workshops. 

2. Access government funds

A range of funds are available for Apprentice employers and Apprentices alike, depending on their situation. Where an Apprentice is aged 16 to 18 (or 19 to 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 employs less than 50 persons, the Apprenticeship training is fully funded by the Government. The full list of Apprenticeship Funding Rules for Employers can be found here. 

3. Bring new talent into your business 

Apprenticeships are a great way to energise your workforce with new skills and motivated workers. The New Standard for Jewellery, Silversmithing, and Allied Trades Professional includes training on how to do your best work in a professional workplace environment so you can be confident your Apprentices will fit in and perform well in your business. 

4. Have your Apprentice trained at a top UK education institute 

Taking on an Apprentice with BAJ means that they will undertake their foundational jewellery manufacturing training in BAJ’s workshops in London or Birmingham. Learners at BAJ receive personalised guidance from our expert Tutors and take part in projects which develop both technical and creative skills. 

5. Contribute to the development of the UK jewellery industry 

Giving budding jewellers and craftspeople a start in the industry helps to reinvigorate the jewellery sector and keep innovation flowing. By training the next generation of jewellers and tradespeople, you are contributing to both the continued development of your own business and of British industry as a whole.  

Interested in finding out more about taking on an Apprentice or need help filling out the application forms? Join BAJ at one of our upcoming Employer Events in London (June 14)and Birmingham (June 22) to network and find out more about how to make the programme work for you. 

How can I get in touch?

If you have any questions about applying to BAJ, student life, or our courses get in touch with admissions at info@baj.ac.uk and they will be happy to help. 

Interested in jewellery, design, and the creative industries? Our BA (Hons) in Jewellery Design and Production is a practical, innovative, and industry-focused degree with limited spaces available through UCAS Extra and Clearing. Find out more about the course here and get in touch here, it’s not too late to apply.