This week the Goldsmiths’ Centre, the UK’s leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths, celebrates ten years of shaping the careers of jewellers, silversmiths and the wider precious metal industry through high-quality skills training, safeguarding the future of this ancient craft.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre, located in London, close to Hatton Garden, is home to over 100 makers and businesses who work and contribute to the charity’s work by passing on skills to the next generation of craftspeople. Since 2012, with generous support from its founder, the Goldsmiths’ Company, the Goldsmiths’ Centre has:
- supported 80 young people through its Foundation Programme and 60 apprentices through the Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme.
- championed 527 emerging jewellers and silversmiths through learning programmes, courses and showcasing opportunities, seeing them grow their profiles and businesses.
- offered 13,433 people opportunities to take part in its short courses and events programme, both in person and online
- hosted 55 exhibitions showcasing makers and their work and supported 5,235 individuals through its grant giving initiatives
Jewellery artist and alumnus of the Goldsmiths’ Centre, Ella Fearon-Low, describes the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s impact on her career: “When I did Getting Started, I didn't really know very much about the sector, and I feel like the Goldsmiths' Centre demystified it, made it accessible, helped me understand that, but also then connected me to so many other wonderful people in the industry. It's a hub for creativity, inspiration, community, safety. It is just wonderful.”
Hugo Johnson, jeweller at RTFJ and former Goldsmiths’ Centre Foundation Programme trainee and Goldsmiths’ Company apprentice explains: “The Goldsmiths' Centre means a lot to me. It places a very dear place in my heart. As a maker, it all comes down to the foundation you have and the foundation you set early on. I can attribute pretty much everything that I've been able to do for my career from the beginning to this point now to what I've learnt and who I've met at the Goldsmiths' Centre.”
To discover more about the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s story and hear from the extraordinary people who the charity has supported in their early careers and who have helped to shape its future, visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org/about-us/our-story