Creative Modern Apprentice, Glasgow
Employer – Applied Arts Scotland
Length of contract – Initially 12 months, with potential for ongoing employment
The Role – Two different businesses based in Glasgow, Vanilla Ink Jewellery School and Studio, and Katie Lees Jewellery Designer and Maker, are offering an exciting opportunity for a young person keen to begin their career in the craft sector. You will be involved in all aspects of the day to day running of these two small craft businesses, gaining experience and an understanding of bench skills, batch production, product development, teaching, product photography for the web, event preparation, customer services, online sales and promotion. You will learn to work in the correct and safe manner within a busy jewellery workshop.
You will work towards a Modern Apprenticeship qualification in Business Skills for Craft as part of pilot project being run by Applied Arts Scotland and project partners, Skills Development Scotland.
This pilot project is targeted at those groups currently under represented in Modern Apprenticeships. We particularly wish to hear from applicants who are long term unemployed, ethnic minority groups, refugees, lone parents and carers and those who have been in care. We are also keen to support those requiring support with mental health issues.
- As this is an entry level apprenticeship, this position would be best suited to a school or college leaver. Please note that anyone with a qualification at degree level and above will not be eligible for this position.
- No specific qualification grades are required however it may be beneficial to have an interest in Art & Design.
- Good time management, team working, and enthusiasm are required with the ability to work under supervision as well as using own initiative.
- Offered to 16 – 24 age group, and disabled and care experienced individuals up to 29 years, although priority will be given to 16-20 age group.
- Successful applicant must be resident in Scotland.The Qualities We Need – Each day will be different and we are looking for someone who is self motivated, reliable and flexible. You will have an enthusiasm for learning and a passion for making and creative thinking. The first 9 months you will be taught intensive bench skills, so good eyesight and hand dexterity is vital. The Skills and Knowledge We Would Like – You will need good communication skills, an ability to get on well with a variety of people and be able to focus & work consistently through a given task. Strong IT skills including a working knowledge with Microsoft Office & Excel, and familiarity with social media platforms would be advantageous. No previous jewellery making experience is needed as full training will be given. Please be aware that this role requires good manual dexterity, please contact Carol Sinclair to discuss further.Principle Tasks and Responsibilities in this role will include
- Working closely with each of the businesses on day to day tasks as well as specific projects.
- Learning basic through to advanced skills of jewellery making, including saw piercing, filing, cleaning up castings, setting building, stone setting and finishing.
- Assisting in the design and manufacture of high-end jewellery.
- Assisting in class set-up and maintenance for both Vanilla Ink and CARVE.
- Promotion of activities via social media, website and e-newsletters, including product photography and editing.
- Researching funding opportunities and assist in making applications
- Day to day administrative duties, updating online systems, stock management
- Day to day tool and equipment maintenance. Location – Finnieston, West End, Glasgow.Working Hours – This contract is for 28 hours per week (4 days) for 12 months. The work days and times are negotiable.Salary – We will be paying the National Living Wage, £5.00 for under 18yrs, £6.50 18-20yrs, £8.25, 21-24yrs and £8.75 for over 25yrs. The Organisations Vanilla Ink Jewellery School & Studios is a Social Enterprise and Scotland’s unique Jewellery School and Studio. We run a school teaching jewellery at all levels to many walks of life. Our Master Goldsmith Scott McIntyre runs the trade services we offer, which include stone setting, remastering, melting and repairs, as well as commission work. Vanilla Ink also runs a professional development programme for start-up jewellers to help understand their own practice. www.vanillainkstudios.co.uk How to apply – Please email a current CV along with a covering letter to The covering letter should explain why you are interested in a career in the creative sector and the reasons why you feel you would be the best candidate for the job. Email: hello@appliedartsscotland.org.ukAppliedArtsScotland is a registered charity – SC022604
- Blogspot: Applied Arts Scotland Facebook: AppliedArtsScotland Twitter: @AppliedArtsScot
- Further information – please contact hello@appliedartsscotland.org.uk or tel Carol Sinclair on 07791 381990 or Kirsteen Allison, Disability Adviser Skills Development Scotland, kirsteen.allison@sds.co.uk
- Closing Date – Friday 30th Dec 2017 at 5pm
- Please quote Apprentice Glasgow in the subject line
- hello@appliedartsscotland.org.uk.
- Katie Lees is a maker of highly crafted jewellery focussing mainly on commission work. Using a mixture of precious stones and precious metals, Katie creates heirlooms for the future. She also has a ready-to-wear collection that she sells through her website and ‘Not on the High Street’. Katie and Kate (co-founder of Vanilla Ink) also run a pop-up jewellery making workshop called CARVE (www.wearecarve.com), travelling across the country teaching people to make jewellery carved from wax that is then cast in metal, to be finished in the workshops and posted to the clients that made them. www.katieleesjewellery.com
- Applied Arts Scotland is a craft development organisation run by makers for makers working professionally in Scotland. It is the lead partner in this project as part of a programme of shared apprenticeship for the creative and craft sector. www.appliedartsscotland.org.uk
