About This Blacksmith Apprenticeship Program
The Appalachian Blacksmiths Association developed this apprenticeship program in 1986 for the purpose of outlining requirements and skills that are necessary to become a journeyman blacksmith. At that time, many U. S. industrial factories still had blacksmith shops. The Standards and the Work Processes served as a definitive guide for any employer to use to train and evaluate an apprentice.
Since 1986, these workplaces have changed dramatically and factory demand for blacksmiths has been reduced to almost zero. Since 1986, there has also been a large increase in the number of blacksmith teaching schools and programs. Today, most blacksmiths are artist-blacksmiths rather than toolmakers and mechanics.
In olden times, a blacksmith shop would hire a teenage boy as an apprentice. The shop would provide his room and board and a small wage. Over a period of 5-7 years, the apprentice would learn every aspect of the trade of blacksmith. To complete his apprenticeship, he had to make his own tools and tool chest and satisfy the blacksmith shop master that he had the skills to be a journeyman blacksmith. The shop master also required his apprentice to make a specific workpiece to demonstrate his skills. That workpiece came to be known as a "master piece." Upon passing this requirement, the apprentice was released from his apprenticeship and free to start business on his own (hence, a "Journeyman").
The nature of blacksmithing has changed dramatically. Blacksmith schools now provide much of the formal training and the modern "apprentice" pays for that education. Established blacksmiths will also hire young blacksmiths but generally require that the blacksmith have a reasonable level of skill.
The Standards and Work Processes presented here outline what an aspiring blacksmith will be required to learn during the training period. An aspiring blacksmith needs to understand that it takes years to master the basic skills of this trade. The requirements of this program serve as a good guideline for attaining these skills.
The Appalachian Blacksmiths Association currently does not accept apprenticeships. We are a group whose mission is to help educate blacksmiths through our events and publications. As part of our educational mission, we developed this program to outline the necessary skills that an apprentice must learn.
In addition to not accepting apprenticeships, we do not have a ready list of employers who hire unskilled or semi-skilled smiths and train them.
If you aspire to learn this trade in the way that apprentices once learned, you will need to start by taking a Basic Blacksmithing class. Then you should initiate a relationship with an established blacksmith or artist-blacksmith to pursue your career. Generally speaking, experienced blacksmiths enjoy passing along their knowledge to the up-and-comers. Don't be afraid to seek out this kind of guidance.
A good way to meet blacksmiths and further your education is by joining one of the many blacksmith chapters located around the world. Many of these blacksmith chapters are affiliates of ABANA and you can find a list of them at www.abana.org.
An excellent opportunity for learning about blacksmithing can be found at historical parks, forts, or villages that have a blacksmith shop. These sites (as well as some modern theme parks) hire young people as helpers who can work in the blacksmith shop. You will not only learn about the trade but also about the role of blacksmiths in different time periods.
Colonial and Civil War re-enactor clubs also provide a venue for learning blacksmithing as it was done in that time period. Most of these clubs have professional or hobby blacksmiths as members who participate in their activities.
The Boy Scouts also have a metalwork merit badge program which is a great introduction to the trade. And some public vocational/technical schools offer some kind blacksmith training in their metalwork curricula.
APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS WORK PROCESSES EVALUATION FORM AGREEMENT FORM ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS