The Future of Apprenticeships

Guild member, jeweler, educator, and author Nanz Aalund recently spoke with the Seattle Metals Guild as part of our 2024 lecture series, to introduce the national apprenticeship program she’s developed in partnership with MJSA, the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America. 

The Mentor Apprenticeship Program (MAP) is designed to leverage national legislation which funds professional development across multiple trades. The program has been recognized as a new national “gold standard” for professional development apprenticeship programs in the jewelry field, thanks to the rigorous research and development that Nanz and team have both undertaken and leveraged to design it.  

In addition to providing the structure and guidance for both apprentice and mentor to succeed, this program is on a near-term path to providing access to federal funding, to help offset costs in the form of tax write-offs for mentors’ businesses when they employ apprentices. Your participation in the program will help make this possible. 

A return on investment for apprenticeship employers has been found to be favorable, at $1.50 earned for every $1 spent. Apprentices often choose to take ongoing employment with their mentors, remaining with them as employees for up to five years or more.

The program offers certification upon completion, enabling new trainees to establish themselves in the field. Certification is recognized nationally, and provides credentials to recipients such that they may earn a professional wage when employed as a bench jeweler or related specialist in the field.

To participate in the program, a prospective apprentice should locate a mentor or mentors available to support them locally. Arrangements can take many forms, though work performed for the mentor must always be paid, per federal law. Additionally, participation requires MJSA membership, which as of this writing costs $150 per year.

To complete the program, apprentices must demonstrate technical proficiency across a broad array of techniques including fabrication, spot laser welding, and computer-based 3D design. This is done by successfully completing seventeen selected projects which are all documented in two of the most widely available books on technical procedures for metalsmiths: “Professional Jewelry Making” by Alan Revere and “The Complete Metalsmith” by Tim McCreight. Substitute projects which demonstrate these proficiencies may also be accepted. The program is supported with detailed documentation and is estimated to take one to three years to complete.

A leadership committee of professionals has been established to review apprenticeship results and provide a certificate of completion.

Future developments for the program may include preliminary high school and follow-on “journeyor” versions of the curriculum and certification.

To learn more, and to join the organization and its program, visit MJSA.