Apprentice Craft Technician: Ceramics

Company:

1882 LIMITED1882 LIMITED

Address:

Wedgwood Drive ,Stoke-on-Trent ,ST12 9ER

Hours per week: 39

Salary: £ 25775.88 peryear

Working week: Mon to Fri 7.30am - 2.30pm

Closing Date: 02/04/2026 12:00 am

Description:

At 1882 Ltd., we don’t just make design driven ceramics; we preserve a legacy. Based in the historic heart of the British Ceramic’s Industry and founded by a fifth-generation ceramics family, we are dedicated to bridging the gap between centuries-old heritage craft and contemporary design.

An apprenticeship with us is an invitation to master the industrial craft and expertise that has defined British ceramics since the 1800s. We work with the world’s most inventive designers—from Max Lamb to Shona Heath—to push the boundaries of what clay can do. As an apprentice, you won’t just be learning a trade; you will be collaborating on pieces that sit in museum collections and are showcased around the world.

We care deeply about the craftspeople who make our vision possible. Everyone at 1882 Ltd. is a vital part of our story, and we are dedicated to fostering a workplace where curiosity is encouraged and heritage skills are passed down with pride. We welcome apprentices from all walks of life; we believe that a diverse range of perspectives and a fresh spark of creativity are what keep the British ceramics industry vibrant and resilient.

To support our apprentices, we provide a hands-on learning environment that balances the discipline of the factory floor with the creative energy of a design studio. Whether you are casting, modelling or decorating, you will be part of a close-knit team bound by a shared respect for quality, material, and "Stoke-on-Trent Made" excellence.

We are a design driven, agile company that values the many hands that touch every piece we produce. You will be mentored by master potters who carry a lifetime of knowledge, while working in a creative environment that celebrates modern thought and radical spirit. If you are inspired by the challenge of making beautiful, lasting things, have a desire to master a time-honoured trade, and thrive as part of a collaborative, focused team, you could be the next generation to shape our journey.

We make what we love.

Vacancy Main Description

The vacancy is for an apprentice Craft Technician: Ceramics. The successful applicant will be trained across many aspects of pottery / ceramics production. This will include learning and understanding materials, design and production techniques, finishing and packaging of goods. This is a hands-on role working within an active ceramics factory. Your day-to-day department will be the Decoration & Glazing team. You will receive extensive training in all heritage and contemporary decoration techniques and processes.

You will also be placed on a Level 3 Craft Technician: Ceramics apprenticeship. You will be required to attend training with Creative Alliance and partner organisations throughout the 18 months of the course.

Skills Required

The role of Craft Technician requires a wide variety of skills. The candidate must be able to apply logical and creative thinking to a wide variety of challenges and be able to methodically work towards a solution.

These are some of the basic skills we are looking for:

Attention to detail
Proactive, patient and positive with a can-do attitude
Effective communication skills
Be hands on and able to use tools
Ability to work well as part of a team
Methodical and tidy
Be able to present information in different formats

Personal Qualities

Enthusiastic and committed
Keen to learn and develop skills, and willingness to embrace change
Ability to think independently and work within a team
Punctual and Reliable

Requirements:

Applicants should be literate and numerate. Grade C/4 and above in English and Maths are preferable. As this vacancy will report to the Decoration & Glazing team, a passion for traditional arts skills such as painting and sketching is essential. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their level of interest in ceramics and craft skills.

Skills required:

Attention to detail, Communication skills, Team working, Patience,

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:

As this vacancy will report to the Decoration & Glazing team, a passion for traditional arts skills such as painting and sketching is essential. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their level of interest in ceramics and craft skills.

This role is National Minimum Wage based on age.

Future prospects:

This apprenticeship aims to equip individuals with a broad and robust understanding of the ceramics manufacturing process, supporting their development into a skilled and versatile Craft Technician within our business.

Successful completion of the programme is expected to lead to the opportunity for a permanent role, offering long-term career progression within the organisation.

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