Careers
Practical, resilient careers with real routes in. Filter to find what fits you.
232 careers
Assess, model, and design solutions for noise, vibration, and acoustic problems in buildings, infrastructure, and the environment — a technical specialism combining physics and engineering.
Maintain, diagnose, and repair farm machinery — from tractors and combines to precision planting equipment — keeping the UK's food production infrastructure operational.
Inspect, maintain, and certify aircraft for flight — one of the most rigorously regulated and safety-critical engineering trades, working on commercial and general aviation.
Restore, conserve, and repair antique furniture, objects, and decorative arts for auction houses, dealers, collectors, and estate clients — across a broad range of materials and periods.
Farm fish and shellfish in land-based facilities, sea cages, and coastal beds — a growing sector supporting UK food production and coastal community employment.
Assess, manage, and maintain trees in urban and rural environments — carrying out pruning, felling, and specialist work that requires physical ability, technical skill, and ecological knowledge.
Produce the technical construction drawings and specifications that translate architectural design into buildable, compliant buildings — with CIAT chartered status as the professional benchmark.
Make cheese by hand in small-to-medium dairies, producing British territorial or continental-style cheeses for direct sale, farmers markets, cheesemongers, and restaurants.
Create fine hand-crafted chocolates, bonbons, and confections from couverture chocolate — combining flavour knowledge, temperature science, and decorative skill in a growing artisan sector.
Survey buildings for asbestos-containing materials — a safety-critical, BOHS-qualified role underpinned by HSE licensing and the legal obligations of every non-domestic duty holder.
Diagnose and repair the electrical and electronic systems in cars, vans, and commercial vehicles — a specialist trade that is growing in importance as vehicles become more complex.
Mix, shape, prove, and bake bread, pastries, and patisserie — a craft skill in high demand as Britain's artisan bakery culture continues to grow.
Manage colonies of honeybees for honey, wax, and pollination services — a skilled husbandry practice with self-employment potential and growing commercial and ecological demand.
Craft doors, window frames, staircases, and bespoke cabinetry in a workshop or factory setting — precision woodworking using bench machines, hand tools, and specialist joinery techniques.
Cut and construct made-to-measure suits and garments by hand on Savile Row or in a regional bespoke tailoring house — serving clients seeking the highest standard of fitted garment.
Cut and sew made-to-measure garments to individual body measurements — a demanding craft with a world-famous British tradition centred on Savile Row and regional tailoring studios.
Service, repair, and build bicycles and e-bikes — a growing trade fuelled by cycling infrastructure investment, the cycle-to-work scheme, and the e-bike boom.
Forge, shape, and fabricate decorative and structural metalwork by hand — gates, railings, balustrades, furniture, and bespoke architectural fittings.
Build, repair, and refit wooden, GRP, and composite boats — from dinghies and narrowboats to sailing yachts and traditional heritage craft — in a skilled trade facing genuine skills shortage.
Bind, restore, and make books and paper-based objects by hand — from edition binding and luxury stationery to conservation of rare archival materials.
Hand-bind new books and conserve historic volumes — a quiet, exacting craft serving libraries, archives, private collectors, and the book arts market.
Lay bricks, blocks, and stone to construct walls, chimneys, arches, and foundations in new-build and renovation projects across residential and commercial construction.
Install, maintain, and operate the technical systems that transmit television, radio, and streaming content — a specialist electronics trade underpinning the UK's world-class broadcast industry.
Inspect, assess, and advise on the construction, condition, adaptation, and maintenance of buildings — from new build projects to historic structures — working towards RICS chartered status.
Break down, prepare, and present meat for sale — a skilled craft trade experiencing a resurgence through independent butchers, farm shops, and whole-animal butchery.
Design and build bespoke furniture, fitted cabinetry, and handcrafted joinery using hardwoods, veneers, and traditional and contemporary woodworking techniques — a skilled craft with strong self-employment potential.
Create professional calligraphy for weddings, corporate commissions, certificates, and fine art — practising handlettering traditions recognised by the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society.
Operate and maintain canals, locks, and waterway infrastructure for the Canal & River Trust and other authorities — a practical outdoor role supporting navigation, heritage, and biodiversity.
Programme and monitor implanted cardiac rhythm devices — pacemakers and defibrillators — in NHS cardiology or private clinic settings, supporting patients throughout device lifetime.
Create functional and sculptural ceramic work using throwing, hand-building, glazing, and kiln firing — a craft with a growing market and strong community across the UK.
Stabilise, clean, and restore ceramics and glass for museums, galleries, and private collectors — from archaeological pottery to fine porcelain and historic glassware.
Turn chair legs, spindles, and stretchers from green unseasoned wood on a human-powered pole lathe — a Heritage Crafts Red List endangered craft with fewer than 20 active UK practitioners.
Produce artisan cured meats — salami, prosciutto, bresaola, pâté, and terrines — applying traditional European preservation techniques in the growing British artisan food sector.
Plan, prepare, and cook food in professional kitchens — from neighbourhood bistros to fine dining, hospital catering to hotel restaurants.
Produce artisan cider and perry from traditional and vintage apple and pear varieties — combining orchard knowledge, fermentation science, and sensory evaluation in a growing craft drinks sector.
Design and manage the infrastructure that society depends on — roads, bridges, drainage, flood defences, and utilities — with a career path to ICE chartered status.
Restore historic and classic vehicles to concours or driver condition — a highly skilled craft trade combining metalwork, mechanical expertise, and period-accurate knowledge.
Assess patients and provide complete dentures directly to the public as a GDC-registered clinical dental technician — combining laboratory fabrication with direct clinical care.
Service, repair, and restore mechanical clocks, watches, and precision timepieces — a fine dexterity trade that is both technically demanding and deeply satisfying.
Conserve and restore antique clocks for private collectors, auction houses, and museums — combining horological skill with cabinet making, metalwork, and conservation knowledge.
Set up, operate, and program CNC machine tools to manufacture precision components in metal, composites, and plastics for aerospace, automotive, medical device, and engineering industries.
Fabricate and restore vehicle body structures in steel, aluminium, and composite — from traditional coachbuilt cars and heritage vehicles to motorsport and specialist bespoke bodywork.
Build and repair with cob — the traditional monolithic earth building material of South West England — for heritage conservation, new build ecological housing, and SPAB-compliant repairs.
Repair, resole, and restore footwear for a loyal local clientele — a practical trade with low barriers to entry, strong self-employment potential, and demand that holds firm through any economic climate.
Achieve and maintain industry welding codes (CSWIP/AWS/ASME) to weld pressure vessels, pipework, and structural components to exacting quality standards in oil and gas, nuclear, power, and petrochemical industries.
Dive professionally to inspect, repair, and install underwater structures for offshore energy, civil engineering, and marine construction projects.
Manufacture, repair, and inspect components from carbon fibre, fibreglass, and advanced composite materials for aerospace, wind energy, marine, motorsport, and defence applications.
Craft and repair wooden barrels and casks for the brewing, distilling, and wine industries — a traditional craft experiencing renewed demand from the craft spirits and cask-matured drinks sector.
Bake artisan bread and pastries by hand using traditional fermentation and shaping methods — from sourdough loaves to laminated pastries — for independent bakeries, farmers' markets, and wholesale supply.
Operate mobile, tower, and overhead cranes on construction and industrial sites — a safety-critical, CPCS-licensed occupation with strong demand across infrastructure and building projects.
Carve and paint traditional wildfowl decoys — the folk art carving tradition of working and decorative duck, goose, and shorebird decoys for collectors and hunting use.
Safely demolish and strip out buildings and structures using specialist techniques, plant, and hazardous materials management — a physically demanding and technically regulated trade.
Fabricate custom dental prostheses — crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic appliances — working to dental prescriptions in a precision craft workshop environment.
Design and fabricate dental prosthetics — crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic appliances — in a dental laboratory to prescriptions from registered dental professionals.
Produce craft spirits — whisky, gin, rum, and vodka — managing fermentation, distillation, and maturation in the UK's rapidly growing craft distillery sector.
Install, test, and maintain the electrical systems in homes and small commercial buildings — from wiring a new build to fitting EV chargers and solar panels.
Survey, maintain, repair, and install drainage systems for homes, businesses, and public infrastructure — essential work that keeps wastewater flowing safely.
Fix plasterboard to create internal walls, ceilings, and partition systems in new-build and refurbishment projects — the dominant method of internal construction in modern UK buildings.
Build and repair dry stone walls — without mortar — using locally sourced stone and traditional walling techniques, in farmland, upland countryside, and heritage landscapes.
Build and repair drystone walls to DSWA Craftmark standard — and assess or instruct others, supporting training programmes and craft qualification delivery.
Survey and assess the ecological impact of development and land management projects, advise on mitigation and biodiversity enhancement, and support planning applications under the Environment Act 2021.
Operate and maintain the 11kV and 33kV electricity distribution network — cables, poles, transformers, and substations — as part of a Distribution Network Operator field team.
Support cardiac electrophysiology and ablation procedures in the EP lab — preparing equipment, assisting with catheter positioning, and monitoring intracardiac recordings.
Create hand-embroidered and mixed-media textile artworks — from goldwork and ecclesiastical embroidery to contemporary stitch art — through City & Guilds and Royal School of Needlework training.
Produce Energy Performance Certificates for homes and commercial buildings — a regulated, qualification-based role with strong self-employment potential and growing demand.
Create original intaglio prints — etching, engraving, aquatint, and drypoint — using metal plates and a printing press to produce limited-edition fine art works of lasting value.
Perform routine dental care for horses — rasping, floating, and wolf tooth removal — working mobile and self-employed across yards and stud farms under veterinary referral protocols.
Install domestic and commercial electric vehicle chargepoints — a growing trade underpinned by government-backed demand and the mass transition to electric vehicles.
Train and fly birds of prey for pest control, conservation fieldwork, and falconry displays — combining deep knowledge of raptor behaviour with practical bird management.
Manage the operations, finances, and compliance of an agricultural business — from crop production and livestock to staff management and environmental stewardship.
Shoe and care for horses' hooves — a regulated craft combining blacksmithing skill with equine anatomy knowledge, essential wherever horses are kept and worked.
Install and splice fibre optic cabling for broadband and telecoms networks — a high-demand trade at the centre of the UK's national full fibre rollout with consistent work for years ahead.
Produce and restore handbound books to the highest standard — edition binding, fine binding, and conservation rebinding — for collectors, institutions, and private commissions.
Install, test, and maintain fire detection and suppression systems — a safety-critical trade underpinned by statutory compliance obligations that generate constant recurring demand.
Run a traditional fish and chip shop — preparing and frying quality fish and chips for the public in one of the UK's most enduring and self-employment-friendly food service trades.
Prepare, present, and sell fresh fish and shellfish — a skilled craft trade with a growing independent retail sector driven by consumer interest in sustainable seafood and local sourcing.
Measure, cut, and lay ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and mosaic tiles to create functional and decorative surfaces in residential and commercial spaces.
Install carpet, vinyl, wood, and resin floor coverings in residential, commercial, and industrial settings — a trade combining precision fitting with knowledge of specialist adhesives and substrates.
Develop new food products, manage quality and safety systems, and oversee manufacturing processes in the UK's largest manufacturing sector.
Carry out practical woodland management — planting, tending, harvesting, and maintaining forest areas — using a range of powered equipment and hand tools.
Apply traditional shellac French polish finishes to fine furniture and woodwork — a specialist trade with an ageing workforce, consistent demand from the antiques industry, and strong self-employment potential.
Restore antique and vintage furniture to working condition using French polishing, veneer repair, structural repairs, and upholstery — combining chemistry, carpentry, and historical knowledge.
Manage game birds, predator control, and rural estate habitats to sustain driven and walked-up shooting — a skilled land management role combining wildlife knowledge with practical countryside work.
Manage land, wildlife, and game populations on shooting estates and conservation areas — combining wildlife management, habitat work, predator control, and rural land management.
Cut fabric precisely to pattern and produce sample garments in fashion and clothing manufacturing — combining technical accuracy with an understanding of how garments are constructed.
Install, service, and repair gas appliances, central heating systems, and boilers — a role requiring Gas Safe Register certification and carrying a high level of public safety responsibility.
Operate and repair the live gas distribution mains and service connections that deliver gas to homes and businesses — responding to gas escapes and carrying out planned network maintenance.
Restore and regilded antique picture frames — repairing carved ornament, applying bole, and laying water or oil gilding to museum, auction, and private collection standards.
Apply gold and other metal leaf to architectural surfaces, picture frames, furniture, and decorative objects using water and oil gilding techniques — a heritage craft essential to conservation and restoration.
Create decorative designs on glass by hand engraving, wheel cutting, or sandblasting — producing bespoke commissions for collectors, award manufacturers, and architectural clients.
Shape molten glass by breath and hand tools in a hot studio — creating vessels, sculptural work, and architectural commissions using centuries-old techniques in a small but vibrant UK craft sector.
Measure, cut, and install glass in windows, doors, partitions, curtain walling, and specialist glazing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Create bespoke fine jewellery and gold objects using traditional and contemporary bench techniques — a highly skilled craft supported by the Goldsmiths' Company and its hallmarking tradition.
Work freshly felled or coppiced wood using pole lathe, drawknife, shaving horse, and hand tools — making chairs, tool handles, hurdles, and traditional woodland products.
Carry out the earth-moving, drainage, foundations, and external works that every construction project needs before structures can be built above ground.
Assess hearing loss, select and fit hearing aids, and provide ongoing aftercare — as an HCPC-registered hearing aid dispenser working in private audiology or NHS clinics.
Design, install, and maintain district heating networks that connect multiple buildings to shared thermal infrastructure — a growing sector driven by the UK's net-zero building heat strategy.
Install and commission air-source and ground-source heat pumps in homes and commercial buildings, playing a frontline role in the UK's net zero heating transition.
Restore and maintain traditional hedgerows using LANTRA-qualified cutting, bending, and laying techniques — a countryside management skill integral to agri-environment schemes and rural heritage.
Carry out conservation brickwork on listed buildings and historic structures using traditional lime mortars, historic brick matching, tuck pointing, and soft-wiped pointing techniques.
Deliver craft skills training in traditional building, land management, and applied heritage skills — supporting apprenticeships, community programmes, and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage objectives.
Maintain, diagnose, and repair heavy goods vehicles, buses, and commercial fleets — keeping the UK's logistics and public transport networks running safely.
Inspect, repair, and maintain roads, pavements, road markings, drainage, and street furniture to keep the UK's road network safe and serviceable.
Repair, service, and restore mechanical clocks and watches — a precision craft requiring hand-dexterity, engineering knowledge, and the patience to work with components measured in tenths of a millimetre.
Cultivate and manage plants professionally — in parks, nurseries, landscape contracting, and botanical collections — with RHS qualifications and apprenticeship routes available.
Install, commission, service, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in commercial and residential buildings.
Prepare and coat steel structures, pipelines, tanks, and offshore components by abrasive blasting and specialist paint application — a safety-critical trade with internationally recognised inspection qualifications.
Calibrate, install, and maintain the measurement and control instruments that keep process industries running safely — a precision-focused role in high-value industrial sectors.
Fit cavity wall, loft, and solid wall insulation to improve the energy efficiency of homes and buildings, cutting heating bills and carbon emissions.
Craft, repair, and resize jewellery in precious metals and gemstones — a skilled bench trade with strong self-employment potential and a long tradition centred on the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.
Craft, install, and fit the timber elements that give buildings their character and function — from structural roof work to bespoke fitted furniture.
Provide professional knife, scissor, and tool sharpening services to catering, hospitality, medical, and domestic clients — operating a mobile or studio-based sharpening business.
Forge, grind, and finish custom knives by hand — from kitchen knives and hunting blades to decorative pieces — as a bladesmith practising a craft with growing UK demand.
Create bobbin lace by hand in traditional English styles — Honiton, Bucks Point, and Bedfordshire — a heritage textile craft sustained by guilds, collectors, and the specialist costume market.
Measure and map land and structures using GPS, total stations, and drones — providing the accurate spatial data that construction, planning, and legal boundary work depends on.
Design and create outdoor spaces — from domestic gardens to public parks and commercial landscapes — combining hard landscaping skills with horticultural knowledge.
Craft leather goods — bags, belts, wallets, and accessories — by hand using traditional cutting, skiving, stitching, and finishing techniques for the premium craft goods market.
Make and repair saddles, bridles, harnesses, and bespoke leather goods — a regulated craft serving the equestrian industry and the growing market for handmade leather accessories.
Carve letterforms directly into stone, slate, and other materials by hand — for memorials, public art, architectural inscriptions, and private commissions.
Operate traditional letterpress printing presses — Heidelberg platens, Vandercooks, and Arab presses — producing bespoke stationery, invitations, and limited edition publications for a discerning craft market.
Install, maintain, and repair passenger lifts, goods lifts, escalators, and moving walkways — a specialist building services trade governed by statutory inspection requirements.
Design architectural, theatrical, and events lighting schemes — combining technical knowledge of luminaires, control systems, and light physics with a strong visual and spatial design sense.
Apply, repair, and specify lime mortars, plasters, and limewashes for historic and traditional buildings — working to SPAB and Historic England guidance on compatible repair.
Fit, repair, and open locks and security systems for domestic, commercial, and automotive clients — a practical trade with strong self-employment potential and consistent local demand.
Make and repair stringed instruments — classical guitars, violins, cellos, lutes, mandolins, and basses — combining precision woodwork with acoustic craftsmanship.
Keep industrial and manufacturing plant running through planned preventive maintenance and reactive fault-finding — a multi-skilled trade combining electrical and mechanical expertise.
Board commercial vessels at port approaches and navigate them through tidal channels and port waters using specialist local knowledge — a safety-critical role requiring Master Mariner qualification.
Grow vegetables, salads, herbs, and flowers on a small-to-medium scale for direct sale to consumers, farm shops, veg box schemes, restaurants, and wholesale markets.
Lay and repair thatched roofs in heritage and conservation contexts — specialising in the traditional regional styles and materials required by listed buildings and conservation officers.
Fabricate craniofacial prostheses, surgical splints, and obturators for patients with facial injuries, cancer, or congenital conditions — working within hospital maxillofacial departments.
Maintain, test, and repair medical devices across NHS hospitals — ensuring the safety and performance of clinical equipment from infusion pumps to ventilators.
Navigate and command commercial vessels carrying cargo and passengers across international waters, ensuring safe passage and compliance with maritime law.
Hand-engrave decorative patterns, lettering, and scenes onto metal surfaces — including firearms, trophies, jewellery, and silverware — using gravers, pneumatic tools, and traditional techniques.
Cut, form, and assemble steel and metal structures using a combination of welding, bending, cutting, and grinding — producing structural steelwork, architectural metalwork, plant components, and bespoke fabrications.
Conserve and restore metal artefacts — sculpture, archaeological metalwork, armour, and decorative objects — for museums, historic houses, and private collections using Icon-accredited methods.
Produce craft beer in small-scale breweries — recipe development, mashing, fermentation management, dry-hopping, and packaging — with training via the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD).
Design and make hats, fascinators, and headwear by hand for fashion, occasions, and theatre — a specialist craft with a strong self-employment tradition and consistent premium demand.
Create bespoke and made-to-measure hats and headpieces — blocking, wiring, and trimming for race days, weddings, theatre, and private commission clients.
Conserve and restore historic mosaic floors, wall panels, and decorative schemes for churches, museums, and heritage buildings — using Icon-accredited conservation methods.
Design and create decorative mosaic artwork for architecture, public spaces, and interiors — using traditional smalti, vitreous glass, and stone tesserae in an ancient and durable craft.
Service, repair, and tune motorcycles, scooters, and other two-wheeled vehicles — a specialist trade combining mechanical skill with a passion for bikes.
Repair and restore orchestral and acoustic instruments — woodwind, brass, string, and percussion — combining fine dexterity with practical engineering and materials knowledge.
Inspect welds, structures, and components for defects using non-destructive testing methods — a safety-critical, PCN-certified specialism essential across energy, aerospace, and infrastructure sectors.
Braid and knot traditional fishing nets, netting, and braided goods by hand and machine — a heritage craft concentrated in Bridport and the maritime fishing industry.
Maintain and repair wind turbines on offshore arrays in the North Sea and Irish Sea — climbing nacelles 60–100m above sea level and travelling by crew transfer vessel to remote installations.
Interpret optical prescriptions, advise patients on spectacle lenses and frames, and fit and supply prescription eyewear — as a GOC-registered dispensing optician.
Grind, cut, and fit prescription lenses into spectacle frames in an optical laboratory — producing accurate, finished eyewear from glazing orders supplied by optical practices.
Build, restore, and maintain pipe organs for churches, concert halls, and private owners — combining woodworking, metalwork, pneumatics, and musical acoustics in a uniquely complex craft.
Prepare and decorate interior and exterior surfaces using paint, wallpaper, and specialist coatings — combining technical skill with an eye for finish and detail.
Examine, stabilise, clean, and restore canvas and panel paintings for museums, galleries, auction houses, and private collectors — using reversible materials and Icon-accredited methods.
Conserve and restore works of art on paper, archival documents, books, and maps for museums, archives, and private collections using Icon-accredited techniques.
Create specialist pastry, bread, and patisserie in hotels, restaurants, and bakeries — a precise culinary craft combining artistic presentation with technical mastery of dough, chocolate, and sugar.
Create and develop garment patterns for womenswear, menswear, and tailoring — translating design sketches into precise paper and digital templates that form the foundation of clothing construction.
Carry out practical field restoration of degraded UK peatlands — ditch blocking, drain reprofiling, revegetation planting, and grip-blocking dam installation — under funded government and charity programmes.
Operate the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgery — managing cardiopulmonary bypass and supporting the surgical team to maintain patient oxygenation and circulation.
Accurately dispense prescription medicines in community pharmacies, dispensing GP practices, or hospital pharmacies — supporting the pharmacist and providing reliable medicines supply to patients.
Tune, regulate, and service pianos in homes, schools, recording studios, and concert halls — a precise aural craft with excellent self-employment prospects and steady nationwide demand.
Install bored, driven, and CFA piles for building foundations and ground engineering — a specialist construction trade with CPCS licensing and strong demand from major infrastructure projects.
Fabricate and install piping systems carrying steam, gas, water, chemicals, or oil in industrial, process, and power generation plants — a high-skill, high-earning trade.
Operate heavy construction plant — including excavators, bulldozers, dumpers, and road rollers — on construction, civil engineering, and demolition sites.
Apply plaster and render to internal walls and ceilings, and external facades, producing smooth, durable surfaces in new-build and renovation projects.
Install, maintain, and repair the water, heating, and drainage systems that homes and buildings depend on every day.
Create original limited-edition prints using etching, lithography, screen printing, and relief printing — a fine art craft practised in studios and open-access print workshops across the UK.
Create props for theatre, film, and television by fabricating objects from multiple materials — combining sculptural skill, research, and problem-solving to realise a designer's vision.
Manage the costs and contracts on construction projects from inception to completion — a commercially critical profession with RICS chartered status and strong earning potential.
Monitor radiation doses, manage contamination control, and advise on radiation safety across nuclear power stations, decommissioning sites, hospitals, and industrial radiography operations.
Inspect and repair the permanent way — track, sleepers, ballast, points, and crossings — keeping the national rail network safe for train operation, primarily during night-time possession windows.
Control train movements on the national rail network from signalling centres and signal boxes — authorising train passages, setting routes, and maintaining safe line occupancy through safety-critical judgement.
Install and service refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems — a regulated trade with growing demand from the green energy transition and food safety obligations.
Make, alter, and maintain ceremonial military uniforms and regalia for the British Armed Forces — combining precision tailoring with a knowledge of regimental dress regulations.
Coordinate whole-house energy retrofit projects to PAS 2035 standard — an emerging green economy role managing the technical, contractual, and resident aspects of retrofit programmes.
Carry out practical river restoration — removing weirs, restoring meanders, improving riparian habitat, and constructing fish passes — to improve ecological status under Water Framework Directive and biodiversity net gain targets.
Install, repair, and maintain pitched and flat roofing systems on residential and commercial buildings, working at height with a wide range of materials.
Use industrial rope access techniques to work at height on buildings, bridges, industrial structures, offshore installations, and wind turbines where conventional access equipment is impractical.
Operate and maintain remotely operated vehicles for subsea inspection, pipeline survey, and offshore installation work — aboard vessels serving the North Sea oil and gas, offshore wind, and decommissioning industries.
Weave and braid traditional rush, willow, and cane baskets and furniture seating — practising heritage basketry skills supported by the Craft and Guild of Fine Art and the basketry community.
Restore and renew woven rush, cane, willow, and seagrass seating on antique and traditional chairs — a rare conservation craft serving furniture restorers, antique dealers, and private clients.
Make and repair saddles, bridles, and leather equestrian equipment to exact fit — a nationally regulated craft apprenticeship serving the horse industry and premium leather goods market.
Design, cut, and stitch sails and marine canvas products for yachts, tall ships, and working boats — a traditional craft that keeps pace with modern materials and racing technology.
Erect, modify, and dismantle scaffolding structures to provide safe working platforms for construction, maintenance, repair, and access to buildings and infrastructure.
Fabricate and repair precision borosilicate and quartz glass apparatus for scientific research, industry, and specialist laboratory applications.
Fabricate precision scientific instruments, optical assemblies, and bespoke measurement devices — combining machining, optics, and assembly skills in a high-skill manufacturing specialism.
Apply screen printing to textiles, ceramics, promotional goods, and specialist print runs — preparing screens, matching colours, and managing print production in studios and specialist print businesses.
Install and commission CCTV, intruder alarm, access control, and fire detection systems for commercial and residential clients — with self-employment common in this growing market.
Fabricate ventilation ductwork, enclosures, and precision sheet metal components from drawings — a specialist manufacturing trade with strong links to HVAC, aerospace, and food processing.
Maintain and operate the propulsion, electrical, and auxiliary systems that keep commercial vessels running safely at sea.
Carve and fit bespoke wooden lasts for handmade footwear — a rare specialist craft at the foundation of bespoke shoemaking and orthopaedic footwear.
Fit out retail, hospitality, and commercial interiors — combining joinery, ceiling, and partition installation with coordination across multiple trades on fast-paced projects.
Fault-find, test, and maintain trackside railway signalling equipment — signals, points machines, axle counters, and level crossing systems — supporting safe train operations on the national rail network.
Handcraft silverware, holloware, and decorative objects in silver — raising, forming, soldering, and finishing using traditional bench techniques in a Goldsmiths' Company-recognised craft.
Work on construction sites carrying out first-fix and second-fix carpentry — from structural timber framing, floors, and roofs to internal doors, skirtings, and staircases — using hand and power tools in a dynamic on-site environment.
Run day-to-day construction site operations — coordinating trades, managing safety, and delivering projects on programme — a leadership role at the heart of the construction industry.
Assess soil health, structure, and contamination — advising on land management, remediation, biodiversity net gain assessments, and sustainable farming incentive schemes.
Install solar photovoltaic panels on rooftops and ground-mount systems, helping homes and businesses generate their own renewable electricity.
Produce hand-formed sheets of conservation, artists', and heritage papers using traditional vat papermaking techniques for conservation, printmaking, and art markets.
Install and operate rigging systems in theatres and live event venues — a safety-critical trade combining mechanical knowledge, height work, and production expertise.
Design, make, and restore stained glass windows and decorative glass panels for churches, heritage buildings, public art commissions, and private clients.
Conserve, restore, and protect historic stained and painted glass in churches, cathedrals, and heritage buildings — using BSMGP and Icon-accredited methods.
Fabricate structural steelwork, frames, staircases, and assemblies in a workshop — combining welding, machining, and engineering drawing skills for the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Decontaminate, inspect, pack, and sterilise surgical instruments and medical devices in NHS CSSD departments — ensuring safe, sterile equipment for every clinical procedure.
Manage livestock welfare and husbandry at farm level — feeding, health monitoring, breeding management, and calving or lambing assistance across cattle, sheep, pig, and poultry enterprises.
Hand-carve architectural stonework, lettering, heraldic decoration, and sculptural features for heritage conservation, new buildings, memorials, and public art commissions.
Conserve and repair historic stonework on listed buildings, monuments, and sculptures using lime mortars, consolidants, and reversible repair techniques guided by Historic England principles.
Shape, carve, and set natural stone to build, restore, and maintain the walls, arches, and decorative features of Britain's built heritage.
Analyse and design the load-bearing structures in buildings and infrastructure — a rigorous profession with IStructE chartered status as the professional benchmark.
Assemble and erect structural steelwork on construction sites — bolting and connecting fabricated sections to form frames, bridges, and structural systems guided by the BCSA and CPCS standards.
Maintain, test, and repair high-voltage transmission substation equipment — switchgear, transformers, and protection systems — on National Grid's 275kV and 400kV network.
Restore and maintain the cutting edges of surgical scissors, forceps, and precision instruments for NHS hospitals, private clinics, and veterinary practices.
Install suspended grid and tile ceiling systems in commercial and public buildings — a specialist interior dry-lining trade integral to every major fit-out project.
Install, maintain, and operate swimming pool plant rooms — managing water chemistry, filtration, heating, and hydraulics to keep pools safe for public and private use.
Preserve and mount animal specimens for natural history museums, scientific collections, and private clients — combining anatomy, artistry, and meticulous hand skills.
Brew, ferment, condition, and quality-control beer, cider, and ale in craft, regional, and industrial brewery settings — a technical and creative role underpinned by IBD qualifications.
Install and maintain telecommunications infrastructure — fibre, copper, and wireless networks — at the centre of the UK's national full fibre broadband rollout.
Create handwoven, embroidered, printed, and constructed textiles using traditional and contemporary techniques — a skilled craft practised by independent makers, studios, and heritage textile workshops.
Stabilise, clean, and preserve historic textiles — tapestries, costumes, flags, and upholstery — for museums, galleries, and private collections using Icon-accredited conservation methods.
Lay and maintain thatched roofs using traditional materials — water reed, long straw, and combed wheat — preserving one of England's most distinctive building traditions.
Manufacture precision jigs, fixtures, dies, and moulds used in industrial production — a highly skilled trade at the heart of UK manufacturing quality and capability.
Hand-paint lettering, gilding, and signage using traditional brush techniques — a visually distinctive craft with growing demand from independent businesses, heritage clients, and the craft revival.
Carry out climbing, aerial, and ground-based arboricultural work — pruning, felling, and managing trees for safety, health, and amenity in a physically demanding outdoor trade.
Restore, re-cover, and create upholstered furniture — from traditional deep-buttoned armchairs to modern seating — combining textile skills with structural craftsmanship.
Repair damaged vehicle bodywork — panel straightening, welding, filler work, and paint matching — restoring cars and vans to factory condition after collision damage.
Diagnose, service, and repair cars, vans, and light commercial vehicles — combining hands-on mechanical skills with modern diagnostic technology.
Conserve and restore historic wall paintings — fresco, secco, and limewash schemes — in churches, historic houses, and scheduled monuments using Icon-accredited methods.
Repair and maintain the water distribution mains, service connections, valves, and hydrants that deliver clean water to homes and businesses — responding to bursts and planned replacement works.
Repair and renew wattle and daub infill panels in historic timber-framed buildings — using traditional mixed materials and methods guided by SPAB and Historic England standards.
Produce woven textiles on hand loom or power loom — from functional cloth to gallery-exhibited tapestry — combining structure, pattern, and colour in one of the oldest manufacturing crafts.
Join metals using MIG, TIG, and MMA welding processes across manufacturing, construction, energy, and engineering — a coded skill with strong demand in every sector that builds physical things.
Join and shape metal using welding processes and fabrication techniques to create structural components, pipework, frameworks, and bespoke metalwork for construction and industry.
Craft and restore traditional wooden wheels and wagons — combining carpentry, blacksmithing, and woodworking skills in one of Britain's most specialised heritage crafts.
Maintain and repair onshore and offshore wind turbines — a physically demanding, safety-critical role at the heart of the UK's renewable energy expansion.
Fabricate uPVC, aluminium, and timber window and door frames in factory settings — a precision manufacturing trade with strong demand across the construction and replacement window industry.
Produce wine from harvest through fermentation, maturation, and bottling — a hands-on science-and-craft role in the UK's rapidly expanding English and Welsh wine industry.
