Despite the number of articles about the digitalisation of the workforce and the notion that old-school trades are dying out, if you can master the craft, these ancient trades are still a viable option to earn a decent living.
Key Takeaways:
- Trades such as jewellery making and stonemasonry, boast centuries-old traditions and offer successful careers even today, showcasing the enduring value of craftsmanship.
- There are several paths to starting a career in these trades, from university programs to specialised courses.
- Skills like toolmaking and locksmithing remain in demand, even with the latest technology available to do the same job.
- These age-old professions not only offer rich historical legacies but also present modern-day practitioners with stable careers and competitive salaries, showcasing the lasting value of traditional craftsmanship.
10 Of The Oldest Trades And Experienced Worker Salaries
1. Designer/Maker
The first piece of jewellery to ever be made is believed to be around 135,000 years old. A professor in charge of a Neanderthal collection found that some eagle talons had numerous cut marks and realised that they must have been used as jewellery, which was further confirmed by an international team. Today, jewellery designers and makers are probably the best paid out of the old-school trades, with those experienced in the craft earning over £50,000.
How to Become a Jewellery Design/Maker
- University
University Of Creative Arts: Jewellery And Silversmithing – Bachelor Of Arts (With Honour - College
Bath College: Jewellery - Apprenticeship
British Academy Of Jewellery: The BAJ Apprenticeship Programme – Jewellery Manufacturing - Specialist Courses
London Jewellery School: Diploma In Silver Jewellery
2. Carpenter
Tests on an old German water well constructed from wood is believed to be around 7,000 years old and is considered the first example of carpentry. Fast forward to the present day and carpentry is still a valued profession, with 240,000 employed today in the UK. Experienced carpenters make around £40,000 per year.
How to Become a Carpenter
- College
Newcastle College: Carpentry And Joinery (Level 1 Diploma) - Apprenticeship
Dishley Commercial Interiors: Apprentice Site Carpenter & Joiner - Specialist Courses
City & Guilds: Carpentry Course
3. Stonemason
Around 6,000 years ago, man began shaping stone from primitive tools. Now thanks to the advancement of technology, shaping stone is far easier. It’s still a tough job but if it’s a craft that is of interest to you, the job is still in demand and you can make upwards of £35,000 doing it.
How to Become a Stonemason
- College
Building Crafts College: Advanced Diploma in Stonemasonry - Apprenticeship
Laing Traditional Masonry: Stonemasonry Apprentice Programme - Specialist Courses
Ministry Of Stonemasonry: Introduction to Stonemasonry
4. Glassmaker
The earliest man-made glass objects were beads thought to originate from Eastern Mesopotamia (a historical region of Western Asia) and Egypt, around 3,500 BC. It’s also thought that during the Stone age, man used obsidian to craft weapons and decorative objects. Glassmaking is, of course, made differently today but nevertheless is still a sought-after service and thus glassmakers can make a solid £35,000+ salary, once experienced.
How to Become a Glassmaker
- University
University Of Hertfordshire: Glass Art - College
Edinburgh College Of Art: Glass MFA - Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships.scot: Glass Industry Occupations - Specialist Courses
The Glass Hub: 1 Day Glassblowing
5. Toolmaker
The oldest stone tools date back 3.3 million years ago. They were discovered in Kenya at an archaeological site known as ‘Lomekwi 3’ near Lake Turkana. Around 20 anvils, cores and flakes were dug up and were generally quite large, with the largest weighing in at 15kg. The use of these tools is currently unknown.
If you want to be part of quite possibly the oldest craft ever, then you can and will be able to earn around £30,000 a year doing so.
How to Become a Toolmaker
- College
Bishop Auckland College: Toolmaking - Apprenticeship
Coleg Gwent: Engineering Toolmaking Apprenticeship - Specialist Courses
Pearson: Engineering Toolmaking
6. Ceramic Artist
Ceramic artists create products made from clay. Archaeologists have discovered ceramics that date back to at least 24,000 BC with the earliest examples found in what was once called Czechoslovakia. They were made from animal fat and bone mixed with bone ash and a fine clay-like material and were in the form of animal and human figurines, slabs and balls.
Today ceramic artists earn around £30,000 a year creating everything from plates and cups to piggy banks and vases.
How to Become a Ceramic Artist
- University
University Of The Arts London: Ceramic Design – Bachelor Of Arts (With Honours) - College
Nottingham College: Ceramics for Beginners - Apprenticeship
Leach Pottery: Leach Pottery Apprenticeship - Specialist Courses
Clay College Stoke: Diploma Course
7. Furniture Maker
The first documented instances of furniture being used dates back to the Neolithic period (approximately 5,500-2,500 BC). Furniture was made from stone and some of the earliest examples can be found in Skara Brae in Scotland. Independent furniture makers differ from furniture designers as their pieces are usually one-offs. Whereas if you are a designer, you create the look for mass-produced furniture. Independent furniture makers on average make around £30,000 per year.
How to Become a Furniture Maker
- College
City Of Bristol College: Furniture Making - Apprenticeship
The Edward Barnsley Workshop: Furniture Making Apprenticeship - Specialist Courses
The Chippendale International School Of Furniture: Introductory Course
8. Locksmith
Another one of the ancient trades is locksmithing. Locks originated in Ancient Egypt and Babylon. It was once believed that these locks were small and portable, used to protect goods from thieves on travel routes, but this is not true. It’s now thought that those types of locks would be too sophisticated for that period. They were actually made from wood and were relatively large and crude. The locks had pins in them and could only be moved by a big wooden key, which once inserted, was pushed upwards rather than turned.
Locksmithing is still a valued trade today and you can earn around £30,000 per year.
How to Become a Locksmith
- Apprenticeship
The Master Locksmiths Association: Apprenticeship In Locksmithing - Specialist Courses
Gateshead Locksmith Training: Beginners Locksmith Training Course
9. Blacksmith
Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items. The craft can be traced all the way back to the Iron Age with the first instances hailing from what is now known as Syria. Compared to the number of carpenters (240,000) the number of blacksmiths pales in comparison. In 2010 there were only an estimated 600 blacksmiths working professionally in the UK. However, numbers are on the rise and if you want to get into this ancient trade you can make around £30,000 a year.
How to Become a Blacksmith
- University
Hereford College Of Arts: Artist Blacksmithing – Bachelor Of Arts (With Honours) - College
Chichester College: Blacksmithing & Farriery (Creative Blacksmithing) - Specialist Courses
Peat Oberon’s School Of Blacksmithing: The Beginner’s Course
10. Upholsterer
Experienced Average Salary = £25,000
The earliest examples of upholstery date back to the Ancient Egyptians when the wealthy had their furniture cushioned. This was discovered when archaeologists found the tomb of Tutankhamun. On the pharaoh’s throne was a scene that showed him sitting on a padded chair, with further studies stating that these padded chairs were still fashionable 150 years later.
As a profession, upholstery really began in the Middle Ages when wealthy homes started being fitted with padded seat cushions, decorative wall hangings and bedding began to emerge in what is described now as the textile revolution. The job of an upholsterer can be one that is a freelance or self-employed role. Nevertheless, you can still earn upwards of £25,000 per year.
How to Become an Upholsterer
- University
Robert Gordon University Aberdeen: Gray’s School Of Art – Upholstery - College
Brockenhurst College: Upholstery - Apprenticeship
The British Contract Furnishing Association: New Furniture Apprenticeships - Specialist Courses
The Sewing Shed: Beginners Upholstery Class
Conclusion
These ancient trades have lasted for centuries, adapting to modern times. From the detailed work of jewellery makers to the sturdy creations of carpenters and stonemasons, each job has a rich history and offers a rewarding career path. Whether you’re interested in the artistry of ceramics or the precision of toolmaking, these careers connect us to the past and offer stable, often well-paying opportunities. As some of these trades slowly fade, they may become even more lucrative due to the high demand for handcrafted workmanship. If any of these timeless skills beckon you, explore the various educational paths listed above to consider a fulfilling career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are traditional trades like jewellery making and stonemasonry still viable career options today?
Yes, despite the rise of digitalisation, traditional trades such as jewellery making and stonemasonry have adapted to today’s modern preferences and styles, remaining a viable and lucrative career option. These trades offer stable careers with competitive salaries for those who master the craft.
What are some educational paths to start a career in these ancient trades?
There are various educational paths available, including university programs, college courses, apprenticeships, and specialised courses. For example, aspiring jewellery makers can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Jewellery and Silversmithing or take specialised courses like a Diploma in Silver Jewellery.
How much can I expect to earn in a traditional trade?
Earnings vary depending on the trade and level of experience. For example, experienced jewellery designers and makers can earn over £50,000 per year, while carpenters and stonemasons can make around £40,000 and £35,000 per year, respectively.
What is the future outlook for the so-called “dying” trades?
As some of these ancient trades become less common, they may become even more lucrative due to the high demand for handcrafted workmanship. The enduring value of traditional craftsmanship suggests a positive future outlook for those who choose to enter these professions.
