Apprenticeship training course

Blacksmith (level 3)

Using craft, art or skill to design, shape and join metal components by hot forging and other metal working processes for small batch or bespoke production and/or heritage metalwork conservation.

• Qualification level: 3 ; Equivalent to A level.
• Typical duration: 48 months
• Apprenticeship category: Creative and design
• Maximum funding: £21,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Health & Safety and working environment - maintain standards of health and safety for self and for others, using safe working practices. Prepare and maintain a safe working environment, where both hand and mechanical tools are used, as well as being able to safely handle fuel and light and operate the forge. Identify hazards and minimise risk in the working environment
  • Technical interpretation and understanding - create and interpret specifications, samples, drawings, and other written and verbal instructions for the manufacture or repair of metalwork. The identification and appropriate response to problems such as calculating jointing, forging and bending allowances, creation of working templates or jigs from drawings, arriving at an appropriate order of dismantling and construction including testing and adjustment, seeking advice and guidance as appropriate
  • Design - produce technical drawings, designs and models by hand or computer aided design (CAD) which can be interpreted by colleagues and clients when developing the final product
  • Manufacturing and repair processes - select and use the appropriate processes, techniques, materials, tools and equipment for manufacture or repair of metalwork and undertake the blacksmith making process to the industrial standard from inception to realisation. Plan and manage time effectively
  • Hot Forging - efficiently manage a forge or furnace when using forge tools to hot forge, form, cut and join metals by hand and machine
  • Thermal Welding and cutting - use hand operated thermal equipment, cutting and joining techniques to cut and join metals
  • Machining - use hand operated machine tools for cutting, drilling and shaping components
  • Bench work - use hand tools to cold cut and shape materials. Join materials using fastening systems
  • Tools, materials and equipment - carry out testing and adjustment. Manufacture, prepare and maintain materials, equipment and tools appropriately. Manufacture and maintain hand tools such as tongs, punches, chisels, hammers, anvil tools and jigs. Maintain equipment such as hand held machine tools, fixed forge equipment such as power hammers, presses, forges and furnaces. Fabrication, welding and engineering equipment. Preparing materials such as consumables, metal for the job, fixings and coatings
  • Finishing - clean, prepare and protect metalwork. Finish surfaces by specifying and applying specified surface treatments, coatings or coverings as required such as wire brushing, degreasing, descaling, polishing, waxing, oiling, painting and specifying sub-contract finishes such as hot dip galvanising, electro polishing and powder coating
  • Fitting - construct and fit work in the workshop and/or on site as appropriate, which includes assembly and dismantling of components and products and correcting faults in metalwork

Full information on Blacksmith (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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