Blacksmith
OFO No: 652101
Other names for Blacksmith:
- Architectural Metal Worker
- Drop-hammer Worker
- Hammer Smith
- Metalsmith
- Spring Maker
- Tool Smith
Youtube clip – A Day in the life of a Blacksmith
For training options in South Africa – scroll down
What is a Blacksmith?
A Blacksmith is a professional who works with metals such as iron, shaping them into useful or decorative shapes. Blacksmiths forge iron for industrial, commercial, domestic and artistic purposes.
They may make, for example, balustrades for staircases and balconies, gates, ornate fences and furniture, or perhaps a decorative cross in a church.
Some Blacksmiths may specialise and become Farriers – see under Farrier on our website for more details.
What does a Blacksmith do?
- sketches, designs & does technical drawings
- cuts and bends metal materials
- works on metal bending machines
- reinforces metal objects
- repairs metal products
Are you … ?
- interested in working with metal?
- hard working?
- good with your hands?
- creative?
- mathematically minded?
- practical?
How do I become a Blacksmith?
PATH 1
- Apprenticeship
- Trade Test
PATH 2
- Learnership – Foundry Operations (Foundry Melting) NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
- Trade Test
PATH 3
- Learnership – Foundry Operations (Metal Tooling) Level 2, 3 and 4
- Trade Test
PATH 4
- National Certificate: Engineering Studies: N1, N2 and N3
- These can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges – Please go here to find your nearest college https://careerplanet.co.za/institutions
- Workplace experience
- Trade Test
PATH 5
- Artisan Internship
- Trade Test
PATH 6
- RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
- If you have already been working a long time as a Blacksmith without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
- Trade Test
TRAINING:
- CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
- Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
- To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education.
- CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Boiler Maker … or …Welder
Is becoming an Blacksmith the right career choice for me?