You can do a foundation degree or degree course that covers metalworking, such as:

• artist blacksmithing
• craft practices
• design and craft
• art and design

You'll usually need a portfolio of your work and creative ideas to show at university interviews.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• a foundation diploma in art and design
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed in this job. This could help when looking for a trainee position with a blacksmith.

Courses include:

• blacksmithing and metalworking
• fabrication and welding
• art and design
• T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

You may be able to apply for an apprenticeship, for example:

• Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Blacksmith Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Plate or Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could work as an assistant to an experienced blacksmith and learn the craft on the job. You might find it useful if you have experience in metalwork and technical drawing.

You may be able to use industrial welding experience to find a trainee blacksmith job with a specialist metalwork company.

You could do a short introductory course in blacksmithing. This will help you decide if it's a career that would suit you. The British Artist Blacksmiths Association has details of training organisations.

You'll need:

• design skills and knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with your hands
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• concentration skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As a blacksmith, you could:

• discuss design ideas for products with customers
• create plans by hand or using computer aided design
• heat metals to the right temperature in a forge or furnace
• shape metals with hand tools like hammers, punches and anvils
• use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses
• create moulds for casting
• join metal pieces together using riveting and welding methods
• apply finishes

You could work in a factory, in a workshop or in a foundry workshop.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, hot and noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.