Vacancies

Apprentice Ceramic Printer and Decorator

Company:

SUSAN ROSE CHINA LIMITEDSUSAN ROSE CHINA LIMITED

Address:

Unit 3, 248 Uttoxeter Road. ,Stoke-On-Trent ,ST3 5QL
Hours per week: 35
Salary: £ 23132.2 peryear
Working week: Mon to Fri - 7.00am - 2.30pm
Closing Date: 10/04/2026 12:00 am
Description:

Are you a detail-oriented individual with a passion for British craftsmanship? Susan Rose China is looking for a dedicated apprentice to join our workshop and learn the specialised art of ceramic printing and decorating.

About the Role

At Susan Rose China, we pride ourselves on creating bespoke, hand-finished English bone china. As an apprentice, you won’t just be "watching from the sidelines"—you will be trained in the technical and artistic processes that bring our designs to life.

What you’ll learn:

  • Learning the process from preparing films for use, making screens and printing up transfers
  • Kiln Management: Learning the firing process to ensure designs are permanently fused to the glaze.
  • Being involved with other decorating processes as required
  • Quality Control: Developing a "keen eye" to ensure every piece meets our high standards.
  • Workshop Operations: Maintaining equipment and managing stock for bespoke orders.

Who We Are Looking For

You don’t need prior experience in ceramics—we will teach you the craft. However, the right candidate should possess:

  • Steady Hands & Patience: Much of the work is intricate and requires a calm, methodical approach.
  • Attention to Detail: You take pride in "getting it right" and notice the small things others might miss.
  • Reliability: We are a close-knit team; showing up ready to work is essential.
  • A Creative Spark: An interest in art, design, or traditional manufacturing is a big plus.

Why Join Us?

Earn While You Learn: Gain a recognized qualification while getting paid and gaining hands-on experience.

  • Master a Rare Skill: Ceramic printing is a specialised field with a rich heritage.
  • Creative Environment: Work in a beautiful workshop where every day brings a different custom project—from commemorative mugs to bespoke dinnerware.
  • Career Growth: We love to see our apprentices stay on and grow into senior roles within the company.
Requirements:

Applicants should be literate and numerate. Grade C/4 and above in English and Maths are preferable.

Skills required:
Patience, Attention to detail, Communication skills, Creative,
Training to be provided:

Level 3 Craft Technician Apprenticeship – Ceramics

See full standard here

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0919-v1-1

Craft technicians provide technical support to ensure new or existing items, are made or restored by hand. They are designed, developed, and created in line with company and client requirements. Increasingly, the integration of digital technologies across this sector will support production processes. While still retaining unique craft or skill qualities through hybrid manufactured and hand produced or handmade production.

Craft technicians must adhere to the organisation’s confidentiality requirements and understand basic copyrighting and intellectual property arrangements. Working with discretion, taking positive action in response to feedback, being solution focused, and maintaining awareness of the bigger picture. Including budget and broader resource constraints and environmental impacts and ways to reduce these, are essential to a craft technician approach.

Core Training

Duty 1 Make products or component parts of products by hand in line with the settings quality standards, confidentiality policies and intellectual property requirements.

Duty 2 Utilise technology as an enabler to handmake or hand produce items within social, cultural, economic, technological and environmental contexts impacting your chosen specialism.

Duty 3 Follow agreed plans, designs or brief to aid the successful creation of a specified handmade or hand produced products within time and cost constraints.

Duty 4 Maintain equipment and the workspace, and store tools in line with the settings standards and health and safety requirements.

Duty 5 Research and develop sustainable production techniques, processes and the use of recycled and sustainable materials

Duty 6 Manage expectations by maintaining regular communication and delivering effective project management, budget tracking, troubleshooting, project delivery and timekeeping.

Duty 7 Order or recommend materials and tools in line with the settings procurement policies and processes. Following stock management procedures as needed to achieve value for money.

Duty 8 Record and control materials, items, stock, products and suitably store these to maintain their fitness for use.

Duty 9 Utilise technology to communicate, market and sell handmade or hand produced items effectively.

Duty 10 Provide excellent and inclusive service and relationship management to a diverse range of customers, creative teams, clients and colleagues.

Duty 11 Package present or handover products in line with the settings standards, procedures an customer, client or colleague requirements.

Ceramicist Training:

Duty 12 Make, service, restore, and or conserve ceramic items for customers, clients public or private collections.

Duty 13 Manage the planning or design process for hand-made ceramic products.

Duty 14 Work with customers and clients to understand their requirements. Creating technical or other drawings and plans (by hand or digital) for the product as needed.

Duty 15 Create samples or prototypes to assist in the creation of hand-made ceramic products.

Things to consider:
This is a National Minimum Wage position based on age.
Future prospects:
Susan Rose China is looking for a dedicated apprentice to join our workshop and learn the specialised art of ceramic printing and decorating. And is considering expanding the team beyond the apprenticeship.
Apply