Glassmaker Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Glassmakers produce a wide variety of types of objects, ranging from milk bottles to windows for buildings and vehicles, and from crystal vases to test tubes.

You could work as a glassmaker in any of the following areas of the industry:

• flat glass – windows and doors for buildings
• containers – bottles, jars and tableware
• scientific and laboratory equipment
• automotive glass – vehicle windows and sunroofs
• glass fibre – for insulation and optical cables
• crystal ware – for wine glasses and gifts.

Depending on the product, you could be involved in:

• industrial glassmaking – making large quantities of glass products, usually using computer-controlled machinery
• craft work – designing and making products such as hand-blown glassware or stained glass in a small studio or workshop.

Your work would vary depending on which of the above you are involved in, but could include:

• using silica (sand), lime and soda as basic ingredients for windows and cheaper items
• using different additives to make different types of glass
• heating the ingredients with cullet (scrap glass) to very high temperatures at which they become liquid
• shaping the mixture by either glassblowing or by kiln forming
• carrying out processes such as cutting, grinding, toughening or laminating, depending on the product
• applying decorative techniques such as engraving, sand or grit-blasting, stencilling and acid etching.

If you work in a craft studio or workshop you would usually be involved in the whole process of designing, making and decorating. You would also sell your products directly from your studio or at craft fairs, or through shops and galleries.

See prospect4u.co.uk, the Proskills careers website, for information on the range of jobs in the glass industry.

• prospect4u

Hours

In industrial glassmaking, you will usually work up to 39 hours, Monday to Friday. If you are self-employed, you will decide your own working hours, depending on the amount of work you have.

You will work in a factory, studio or workshop, and will need to wear goggles and protective clothing.

Income

• Salaries can start at around £14,000 a year
• This can rise to between £18,000 and £22,000
• Experienced staff can earn from £22,000 to £35,000.

Earnings for self-employed craft glassmakers vary depending on the amount of work they have.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You may find qualifications in science and art helpful, although they are not essential. In glass factories you will usually train on the job, working towards NVQs.

To be a craftsperson, you will need both technical skills and artistic ability. Many craft glassmakers have a degree or BTEC HND.

You can choose from a number of full-time degree courses which specialise either in glass or glass and ceramics. These last for three years and include subjects such as Glass, Ceramics with Glass, Design and Applied Arts (Glass) and Decorative Arts.

You will need a portfolio of work for entry to courses, but other requirements vary, so you should check with individual colleges or universities. To search for HND and degree courses, see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service website.

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

You can do a range of courses at the International Glass Centre at Dudley College of Technology.

As an alternative to an HND or degree, you could develop your skills by completing courses on a variety of levels at colleges and studios. Studios often run summer or weekend courses, some of which are residential.

You may be able to enter the glass industry through an Apprenticeship scheme. To get on to a scheme you will normally need four GCSEs (grades A-C). The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about plumbing Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

Training and development

Once you are in a relevant job you can work towards the following NVQs:

• levels 2 and 3 in Glass Manufacturing (mainly for work in glassmaking factories with raw materials, melted glass materials or semi-finished products)
• levels 2 and 3 in Glass Processing (mainly for glassblowing, scientific glassblowing or glass decorating.

You can develop technical skills by entering exams and competitions set by the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers.

As a craft glassmaker, it would be important to keep up to date with new developments in technology and techniques. You can attend professional development courses at a number of studios and other organisations.

You can complete City & Guilds Higher Professional Diploma in Creative Arts (4440) at some colleges. This is a level 4 qualification which is suitable if you are working in a variety of creative businesses, including stained glass.

You may also be able to study for degrees or postgraduate qualifications on a part-time basis.

Skills and knowledge

• good hand-eye coordination
• a good sense of colour
• patience, accuracy and attention to detail
• the ability to work as part of a team
• good business skills if self-employed.

More information

International Glass Centre
Dudley College
www.dudleycol.ac.uk

Proskills UK
www.proskills.co.uk

Prospect4u.co.uk
www.prospect4u.co.uk

British Glass
www.britglass.org.uk

British Society of Scientific Glassblowers
www.bssg.co.uk

Creative and Cultural Skills
Lafone House
The Leathermarket
Weston Street
London
SE1 3HN
www.creative-choices.co.uk

Opportunities

You could find jobs in factories, workshops and glass studios around the UK, especially in Yorkshire, the West Midlands, London and parts of Scotland. Some universities and hospitals also employ specialists in scientific glass. However, increased automation has caused a decline in jobs.

In a glass factory, you could have the opportunity to move into supervisory or management positions. If you have good business skills you could become self-employed.

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• Craft