Such a crucial topic for the jewellery industry, the Education Special returns for its second year.
After an extremely positive response from across the industry to its debut, we felt it was important to touch on this topic again in 2026.
We must keep having these conversations to action the changes that are so needed to keep the industry alive.
A transfer of skills from the current generation holding the fort to those looking to join the jewellery and allied crafts workforce is undoubtedly an important topic for any sector.
But, as we all know, it is especially pertinent for jewellery and allied crafts, which requires intricate and age-old skills across many areas.
The jewellery industry is indeed lucky to be abundant with a good amount of businesses actively encouraging and supporting young people to embark on a career within the trade, whether it be in jewellery design, allied crafts, silversmithing, goldsmithing, polishing, engraving, on the shop floor in sales and retail, or many other areas.
There have been widespread concerns around the lack of young people entering the industry for some time now.
Organisations like the UK Jewellery, Silverware and Allied Crafts (UKJSAC) have been vocal in urging the Labour government to prioritise building a clear and credible pipeline from schools into sustainable careers, underpinned by both technical capability and core employability skills.
When former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in office, he pledged to scrap a number of arts-based university degrees, thus discouraging students from studying these subjects at school, if there was no guarantee they could take them further.
This showed in official figures, with Design & Technology (D&T) in secondary schools on a downward trajectory.
According to the government’s November 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, there has been a “substantial decline” in pupils who studied it at GCSE level, with the amount falling by 68% in the past ten years.
In 2024-25, 57% of state schools entered students for D&T GCSE. But for A-Level, only 1% taken in 2023-24 were in D&T, meaning interest to take it further is not being addressed.
These findings make it glaringly obvious how imperative it is for us to continue speaking up about these issues and drive awareness of the career opportunities that exist within the jewellery sector.
In this special feature, we explore what is on offer for young people and urge businesses to take heed.
Apprenticeship schemes are becoming increasingly common, exemplified in the coming pages by the success stories of some who are now employed by prestigious companies, such as Asprey and E. Wolfe & Co.
We also hear from Chris Oliver, head of professional training at The Goldsmiths’ Centre, about how companies can benefit from employing apprentices, and what responsibilities they have to ensure that effective training and skill development is in place.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre offers up to four years of off-the-job day release training for apprentices, at no cost to their employers, alongside pastoral support to assist in the development of the relationship between the employer and apprentice.
Oliver says that by bringing talent in-house, businesses can help ensure longer term growth.
The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council, through its annual design and craftsmanship competition, offers those working in jewellery and silversmithing the unique opportunity to grow at every stage of their career.
Designers and makers enter the competition with a piece to be viewed and judged by influential members of the industry.
We also spotlight avenues for professionals already involved in the trade who want to further their education, as Gem-A is on hand to aid in the elevation of mineral knowledge and secure globally recognised qualifications.
Over on the retail side of things, we hear from the Watches of Switzerland Group about furthering its in-house talent with newly-introduced training schemes, as well as independent jeweller Pragnell, and its dedication to British artisan craftsmanship.
This includes supporting the transfer of knowledge and skills to the next generation, which it actions through a partnership with the King’s Trust.
This collaboration sees the retailer support apprentices through The British School of Watchmaking, to gain their WOSTEP 1800 qualification, as well as the Level 30 Rolex accredited service specialist qualification.
The coming pages are jam-packed with useful information that ensures education and the passing down of skills remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Stay tuned for the rest of the Education Special…
Photo credit: Birmingham Assay Office
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