glassmaker

The work

Glassmakers produce a wide range of items such as:

• vases, mirrors and other decorative items
• drinking glasses and goblets
• jars and bottles
• stained glass
• windows (including vehicle windows)
• laboratory apparatus.

Depending on the product/s, they may be involved in:

• large-scale production in factories, where machines will do most jobs
• craft work, designing and/or making products in a small studio or workshop.

Much of the work in decorative glass and scientific glass is done by hand.

The basic ingredients used for windows and cheaper items such as bottles are silica (sand), lime and soda. For crystal glass potassium nitrate, potassium carbonate and red lead are added. Metallic oxides are used to colour the glass.

The processes involved in glassmaking include:

• 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
• applying decorative techniques such as engraving, sand or grit-blasting, stencilling and acid etching, depending on the product.

Glassmakers who work in craft studios or workshops are usually involved in the whole process:

• designing
• making and decorating
• selling their products directly from their studio or at craft fairs, or through shops and galleries.

Hours and Environment

Most glassmakers work a five day 39 hour week. Some companies operate a shift system and overtime is often available.

The work takes place in factories, studios or workshops. Workers wear titanium goggles and protective clothing.

Skills and Interests

As a glassmaker, you need to:

• have good hand-eye co-ordination
• be physically fit
• have a good sense of colour
• have patience, accuracy and attention to detail
• have good communication skills
• be able to work as part of a team
• have good business skills if self-employed.

Entry

You do not need any particular qualifications for entry into the work, although qualifications in science and art can be helpful. In glass factories you will usually train on the job, working towards NVQs/SVQs. If you are aged between 16 and 24 you may be able to enter through an apprenticeship. Please see Training section for more information.

To be a designer/maker you will need both technical skills and artistic ability. Many designer/makers have a degree or BTEC HND.

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

For entry you will need a portfolio of work and usually one of the following:

• an art and design foundation course
• BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject and 5 GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3)
• an appropriate AVCE
• equivalent qualifications or experience.

In Scotland entry is directly into a four year degree course, which includes a foundation year.

BTEC/SQA HND courses in Art and Design usually last for two years. You will need a portfolio and usually at least one of the following:

• a BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in an appropriate area
• an AVCE in an appropriate vocational area
• an Access to Higher Education Certificate awarded by an approved further education institution
• an art and design foundation course
• related work experience.

For all courses you should check with individual colleges or universities for their requirements.

To search for colleges and universities offering art and design foundation courses, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

The International Glass Centre at Dudley College of Technology offers a one-year full-time Glass Techniques and Technology course - there are no particular entry qualifications. This course is suitable for those with no formal qualifications or glass knowledge, but also for postgraduates wishing to enhance and complement their practical abilities. The centre also offers a range of other glass courses. For contact details see Further Information.

If you want to take a more practical route you could develop your skills by doing courses which are offered on a variety of levels by some colleges and studios. Studios often run summer or weekend courses, some of which are residential.

Training

Once you are in relevant work you can work towards the following NVQs/SVQs:

• levels 2 and 3 in Glass Manufacturing, which are suitable mainly if you working in glassmaking factories with raw materials, melted glass materials or semi-finished products
• levels 2 and 3 in Glass Processing, which are mainly suitable if you are a glassblower, chairman or servitor, glassbender, scientific glassblower or decorators.

If you have completed the Glass Techniques and Technology course at Dudley College (mentioned in Entry) you may be able to progress to the Glass Design (Techniques and Technology) BTEC Professional Development Award at the same college. 

If you  meet the entry requirements you may be able to study for degrees or postgraduate qualifications on a part-time basis.

Glass Training Ltd (GTL) has developed a foundation degree in Glass Manufacturing Management, available at Wakefield College. This is suitable if you are employed in the glass manufacturing industry in a supervisory position or are hoping to progress to supervisory level. Please contact GTL for details - see Further Information section.

For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward

As a glass designer/maker it will be important for you to keep up to date with new developments in technology and techniques. You can do professional development courses at a number of studios and other organisations.

Some colleges offer City and Guilds Higher Professional Diploma Creative Arts (4440), a level 4 qualification for those working in a variety of creative businesses, including stained glass.

The British Society of Scientific Glassblowers sets exams and competitions aimed at the development of technical skills.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

Most openings are with companies producing lead crystal glassware and in universities with glass production units making laboratory equipment. There are opportunities for other types of glassmaking work, especially in the West Midlands, London and parts of Scotland, although increased automation has caused a decline in jobs.

There are some opportunities for glass workers to move into supervisory or management positions. Those with good business skills could become self-employed.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries start at around £11,000 a year.
With experience, earnings could rise to around £18,000.
Highest salaries can be from around £18,500 to around £25,000 year.

Further information

Suite 28
The Quadrant
99 Parkway Avenue
Parkway Business Park
Sheffield
S9 4WG
Tel: 0114 227 0070 Dudley College
Moor Street
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 3EP
Tel: 01384 363067 11 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444 44a Pentonville Road
London
N1 9BY
Tel: 020 7278 7700 9 Churchill Way
Chapeltown
Sheffield
S35 2PY
Tel: 0114 290 1850

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