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Glassmaker

Alternative titles for this job include Craft glassmaker, glass artist

Craft glassmakers design and create glass objects from windows, mirrors and tableware to one-off display pieces.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 39

You could work

between 8am and 6pm flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a course with a commercial training provider

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • art and design
  • fine art
  • ceramics and glass
  • design crafts

You'll need a portfolio of work to showcase your skills when applying for courses.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

Some colleges run short creative craft courses in glass, which can be useful for picking up glassmaking skills and techniques.

There are also glass manufacturing courses, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get into the commercial glassmaking industry. These include:

  • glass processing
  • glass related operations

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Stained Glass Craftsperson Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This takes around 3 years to complete and covers a range of glass craft techniques, including:

  • glass painting
  • enamelling
  • etching
  • stained glass

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Other Routes

You could enrol on a training course with a practising glass artist or a college offering crafts courses.

You can find a list of commercial and college glass course providers through the Contemporary Glass Society.

More Information

Career tips

Art and design subjects as well as science and technology are helpful if you want to work in glass craftwork, as you'll need both technical skills and artistic ability.

For industrial or scientific glass manufacturing, science and technology subjects would be most useful.

Further information

You can find out more about a career as a glassmaker from the Crafts Council and the Contemporary Glass Society.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a glassmaker, you could:

  • design new product ranges or pieces for limited release
  • mix ingredients and additives in the right proportions
  • blow glass using a blowing iron
  • form and bend glass using heat or moulds
  • decorate glass with laser, point, stipple, drill, copper wheel or sand engraving
  • etch items using acid or create patterns with stencils
  • use hand tools, and machinery like lathes and sandblasters
  • repair or conserve pieces, like stained glass panels, windows or homeware items
  • market your business if you're self-employed

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio or in a workshop.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could set up your own business based in your own creative studio or work alongside other artists, as part of a creative community.

With experience and further qualifications, you could teach students and apprentices in colleges and universities, or run private training courses.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a glassmaker right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

BTEC National Certificate in Art and Design (Glass) Level 3 Pearson

  • Provider: Morley College
  • Start date: 17 September 2025
  • Location: London

Art and Design

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds
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