Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are vital to the future of the UK jewellery trade, nurturing skilled craftsmanship, design expertise, and technical knowledge among new entrants. These structured training programmes support independent jewellers, retailers, manufacturers, and workshops in building their talent pipelines and maintaining quality standards. Jewellery Focus provides detailed coverage of apprenticeship schemes—highlighting government initiatives, industry-accredited programmes, employer insights, and real-world case studies. Our reporting helps trade professionals understand qualification pathways, recruitment benefits, funding options, and best practice approaches to developing the next generation of jewellery talent.
-
Sep- 2019 -10 SeptemberAdvice
The importance of internships and apprenticeships in the jewellery industry
It’s no secret that recruitment is a challenge. Over two-thirds (68%) of UK employers say they have struggled to find workers with the skills they need, according to a recent report (source: Edge). Attracting and retaining skilled talent is a difficult task for any industry, but is perhaps felt more…
Read More » -
Aug- 2019 -20 AugustRetailers
EC One becomes B-Corp certified
London based jewellery boutique EC One has become the second jeweller in the UK to become B-Corporation Certified. The accreditation process to become a B-Corp involves an in-depth analysis of the business’ entire social and environmental performance, to assess its impact on its workers, community, environment and customers. Other well-known…
Read More » -
Apr- 2018 -16 AprilRetailers
Low-skilled jobs rebadged as apprenticeships by firms, says report
Employers are relabelling low-quality, low skilled and and often low-wage roles as ‘apprenticeships’, according to a new report. As part of the Government’s wider package of reforms to apprenticeships, groups of employers have come together to write the new ‘apprenticeship standards’. Some employers have used this opportunity to generate high-quality…
Read More » -
Mar- 2018 -5 MarchRetailers
Retailers ‘want more apprenticeships’ to develop future workforce
New data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has suggested that retailers want to commit to more apprenticeships in the coming years. In a survey of UK retailers, 86% indicated they would increase the number of apprenticeships they offer in the next two years. In England, retailers are committed to…
Read More » -
Aug- 2016 -19 AugustRetailers
Apprentices ‘can earn 270% more’ than graduates, says Barclays
Apprentices can earn 270% more over their lifetime than university graduates, according to new research from Barclays and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The report – Productivity and Lifetime Earnings of Apprentices and Graduates – says the average gap in lifetime earnings potential between apprentices and graduates…
Read More » -
12 AugustEconomy
Small firms ‘could deliver one million more apprenticeships’, says FSB
Small firms could create a million new apprenticeships with the right support from the government, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said. A new report from the FSB claims the small business sector in England has the potential to double the number of apprentices it takes on to over…
Read More » -
8 AugustEvents
Holts Academy named finalist for National Business Awards
Holts Academy of Jewellery has been shortlisted for the Positive Social Impact award, part of the 2016 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards. Holts Academy – a training provider for the jewellery industry – was chosen from the hundreds of businesses that entered or were nominated across 18 award categories. It…
Read More » -
Jun- 2016 -20 JuneEvents
Benjamin Pritchard receives Goldsmiths’ Young Apprentice of the Year award
Former Goldsmiths’ apprentice Benjamin Pritchard has been named the Goldsmiths’ Young Apprentice of the Year. The medal, which Pritchard picked up from Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, at the Prince Philip Medal Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, depicts the leopard head of the Livery Company’s coat of arms and was…
Read More » -
20 JuneAnalysis
FOCUS ON: Education and training in the jewellery industry
Training methods in the jewellery industry haven’t changed much over the years, although new establishments have provided a structured approach and increased access to funding. As technical skills and mass manufacturing continue gradually to move abroad, what’s next for the industry? [divider style=”solid” top=”20″ bottom=”20″] Education and training may seem…
Read More » -
Apr- 2016 -7 AprilVoice On The Highstreet
VOHS: Banks Lyon
Name: Rodney Banks Lyon Location: Lancaster Year Established: 1985 Number of Staff: 12 Website: www.bankslyon.co.uk When was Banks Lyon founded? Banks Lyon Jewellers was founded by myself in 1985. Having served various apprenticeships at H. Samuel, Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths alongside gaining a distinction in my FGA, my father was…
Read More »
