The term “blacksmith” might make you think of someone from previous centuries who makes horseshoes or swords. However, blacksmiths are still important today for the work they do in making objects from metal, and this trade can be a good choice for people who like to work with their hands. This trade can allow people the chance to do important work that helps in manufacturing and other fields. Working as a blacksmith could be ideal for your interests and skills.

Like with many other jobs that have been around for years, the career of blacksmithing has changed. However, many of the basic aspects remain very similar. Blacksmiths use fire in a forge to heat and soften metal. Then they put the hot metal on an anvil and hammer it into different shapes to make into metal railings, door handles, and many other objects. People in this trade often work in factories, but they can also work on their own or with one or two other people.

Strength and endurance are necessary qualities for blacksmiths. Working with heavy pieces of metal next to a fire can be difficult, and the hours can be long. However, the trade can also be creative since blacksmiths can create their own designs or work with ideas that other people bring to them. Working with interior designers or other people in related fields can give blacksmiths ideas for what they need to learn and how they can help their customers.

Normally, blacksmiths can find work with a high school education, but an associate degree in industrial technology or metalworking can be helpful for giving blacksmiths the background in how the trade works. Apprenticeships are also good ways of learning the skills necessary for the work. Contacting local factories is a good place to start. In high school, any kind of program that teaches people to work with their hands, such as woodworking or other industrial arts courses, can be useful. As always, English courses are useful for being able to read instructions, and mathematics courses are good for learning to calculate amounts.

Many trades are seasonal, and blacksmithing can sometimes be the same. However, people still need doorknobs and other metal parts even in winter, and blacksmiths can often find work to do when construction stops for the season. However, having another type of work to do in the winter can help blacksmiths maintain a steady income throughout the year. Currently, career prospects for this trade are fair to good, depending on the region.

Salaries for blacksmiths vary from one province to another and increase with experience. Hourly wages can rise to $22 per hour, and annual salaries range from $44,000 to $50,000. Larger companies generally have more opportunities for promotions, but the range of work might be limited. Smaller companies tend to pay lower wages, but the work is often quite varied.

Working as a blacksmith can be a good job for people who have strength, endurance, and creativity. You might want to explore this career if you have the qualities necessary for the job.

Bibliography:

Job Bank. “Blacksmith – Manufacturing in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/26846/ca.

Ontario Colleges. “What to Expect from a Blacksmith Career.” https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs/arts-and-culture/blacksmith.

Payscale Canada. “Average Blacksmith Hourly Pay in Canada.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Blacksmith/Salary.

Ziprecruiter. “What Is a Blacksmith and How to Become One.” https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Career/Blacksmith/What-Is-How-to-Become.