Opportunity information
Salary £25775.88 per year
Duration 18 months
Advert closing date 02/04/2026
Description
At Emma Bridgewater, we make lovely, useful things that help capture moments of joy. From a favourite mug to a well-loved plate or bowl, the pieces we create become part of everyday life and the stories people tell. The vacancy is for an apprentice Craft Technician: Ceramics. The successful applicant will be trained across many aspects of pottery / ceramics production.
About the Company
At Emma Bridgewater, we make lovely, useful things that help capture moments of joy. From a favourite mug to a well-loved plate or bowl, the pieces we create become part of everyday life and the stories people tell. Thoughtful, original design inspired by the world around us is at the heart of what we do – and it’s our people, working together, who bring those ideas to life.
We care deeply about the people who work here. Everyone at Emma Bridgewater plays a part in our success, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where people feel supported, valued and able to grow. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, because a diverse mix of voices, skills and perspectives makes our business stronger and more creative.
To support our team, we offer family-friendly and inclusive employment policies, flexible working options where possible, and an employee support programme available to everyone. Around 350 colleagues work across our Stoke-on-Trent factory and distribution centre, our London commercial office, and our retail shops in Stoke and Bicester – all connected by a shared sense of pride, care and togetherness.
If you feel inspired by the beautiful, practical things we make, are curious to learn, and enjoy working as part of an energetic, supportive team, you could be part of the next chapter in our journey as we continue to grow responsibly and deliver the quality and care our customers know us for.
Vacancy Main Description
The vacancy is for an apprentice Craft Technician: Ceramics. The successful applicant will be trained across many aspects of pottery / ceramics production. This will include learning and understanding materials, design and production techniques, finishing and packaging of goods. This is a hands-on role working within an active ceramics factory.
You will also be placed on a Level 3 Craft Technician: Ceramics apprenticeship. You will be required to attend training with Creative Alliance and partner organisations throughout the 18 months of the course.
Skills Required
The role of Craft Technician requires a wide variety of skills. The candidate must be able to apply logical and creative thinking to a wide variety of challenges and be able to methodically work towards a solution.
These are some of the basic skills we are looking for:
- Attention to detail
- Proactive, patient and positive with a can-do attitude
- Effective communication skills
- Be hands on and able to use tools
- Ability to work well as part of a team
- Methodical and tidy
- Be able to present information in different formats
Personal Qualities
- Enthusiastic and committed
- Keen to learn and develop skills, and willingness to embrace change
- Ability to think independently and work within a team
- Punctual and Reliable
Entry requirements
Applicants should be literate and numerate. Grade C/4 and above in English and Maths are preferable. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their level of interest in ceramics and craft skills.
Training to be provided
Level 3 Craft Technician Apprenticeship - Ceramics
See full standard here
https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0919-v1-1
Craft technicians provide technical support to ensure new or existing items, are made or restored by hand. They are designed, developed, and created in line with company and client requirements. Increasingly, the integration of digital technologies across this sector will support production processes. While still retaining unique craft or skill qualities through hybrid manufactured and hand produced or handmade production.
Craft technicians must adhere to the organisation’s confidentiality requirements and understand basic copyrighting and intellectual property arrangements. Working with discretion, taking positive action in response to feedback, being solution focused, and maintaining awareness of the bigger picture. Including budget and broader resource constraints and environmental impacts and ways to reduce these, are essential to a craft technician approach.
Core Training
- Duty 1 Make products or component parts of products by hand in line with the settings quality standards, confidentiality policies and intellectual property requirements.
- Duty 2 Utilise technology as an enabler to handmake or hand produce items within social, cultural, economic, technological and environmental contexts impacting your chosen specialism.
- Duty 3 Follow agreed plans, designs or brief to aid the successful creation of a specified handmade or hand produced products within time and cost constraints.
- Duty 4 Maintain equipment and the workspace, and store tools in line with the settings standards and health and safety requirements.
- Duty 5 Research and develop sustainable production techniques, processes and the use of recycled and sustainable materials
- Duty 6 Manage expectations by maintaining regular communication and delivering effective project management, budget tracking, troubleshooting, project delivery and timekeeping.
- Duty 7 Order or recommend materials and tools in line with the settings procurement policies and processes. Following stock management procedures as needed to achieve value for money.
- Duty 8 Record and control materials, items, stock, products and suitably store these to maintain their fitness for use.
- Duty 9 Utilise technology to communicate, market and sell handmade or hand produced items effectively.
- Duty 10 Provide excellent and inclusive service and relationship management to a diverse range of customers, creative teams, clients and colleagues.
- Duty 11 Package present or handover products in line with the settings standards, procedures an customer, client or colleague requirements.
Ceramicist Training:
- Duty 12 Make, service, restore, and or conserve ceramic items for customers, clients public or private collections.
- Duty 13 Manage the planning or design process for hand-made ceramic products.
- Duty 14 Work with customers and clients to understand their requirements. Creating technical or other drawings and plans (by hand or digital) for the product as needed.
- Duty 15 Create samples or prototypes to assist in the creation of hand-made ceramic products.
Things to consider
This role is National Minimum Wage based on age.
Applicants should provide an example of a skill they have learned from scratch, outlining the steps taken to develop this skill and what they learned from the process.
Skills required
Array
Future prospects
This apprenticeship aims to equip individuals with a broad and robust understanding of the ceramics manufacturing process, supporting their development into a skilled and versatile Craft Technician within our business.
Successful completion of the programme is expected to lead to the opportunity for a permanent role, offering long-term career progression within the organisation.
Hours per week 39
Working week Monday to Thursday 7.00am to 3.00pm, Friday 7.00am - 2.00pm
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, ST1 3EJ
