Metal worker

Metal worker is an independent vocational education for those who want to work artistically with metals such as copper, brass, tin and bronze. The education brings together a number of traditional metal trades and builds on both craftsmanship and design. It is under the Metal Industry's Training Committee and concludes within one of several specialities.

§What do you do in everyday life?

As a blacksmith you process shape and decorate items in metal — from fittings and fastenings to printed and engraved work. You work with both hand and machinery and emphasis is placed on precision finish and aesthetics. Depending on specialty work ranges from repair and restoration to manufacturing new items.

• 01You learn to process and shape metals like copper, brass, and bronze.
• 02You learn to manufacture and repair fittings, fixtures, and building parts (architectural ironwork).
• 03You learn to press and drive metal into form (metal stamper).
• 04You learn to engrave and decorate metal surfaces (engraver).
• 05You learn to grind and polish metal to the right finish (iron and metal grinder).

§How do you get started?

You start with a basic course and continue on the main course, which alternates between school stays and practice in a company. You must enter an education agreement with an apprenticeship, and as a student you get apprentice wages throughout the course.

§The way forward

As a fully trained blacksmith you can work in specialised metal workshops at restoration and art craft companies or in industry. You can further educate yourself via further education (AMU) or build further towards for example technical academy education.

“Where metal becomes craft and art.”