What does a Blacksmith (600P) do?

Blacksmiths forge and repair metal parts; make striking and cutting tools; make, sharpen or harden drills; chisel; and perform custom work including ornamental railings, gates, grilles, and furniture.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Reading and interpreting engineering drawings/plans and weld-processes documentation to prepare the sequence of work
  • Performing calculations and determining the type and profile of workpiece material
  • Learning about and applying occupational health and safety knowledge to the job
  • Gaining knowledge and expertise in metal pre-cutting, heat-treating, and forging technologies
  • Cutting templates and tracing features on workpiece material; rough-sizing preliminary cuts so that completed layout conforms to job specifications
  • Correctly using a variety of tools, including saws, presses and pneumatic tools
  • Performing hot or cold forging of metals using appropriate tools and equipment
  • Inspecting final products to ensure compliance with engineering drawings or job specifications
  • Communicating effectively with customers, co-workers, and supervisors to get the job done

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Secondary school diploma required; credits in math, science, and English recommended
  • Completion of a 6,000-8,000 hour apprenticeship, including a combination of on-the-job training (5,280 hours) and industry approved theory

What's Your Future as a Blacksmith (600P)?

  • Various specializations, including industrial, farm equipment, and ornamental/artistic
  • Resurgence of interest in ornamental or artistic blacksmithing; these blacksmiths are usually self-employed

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $25.63-$43.50 per hour.

Self-Rating

Blacksmith (600P)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Do you have a valid driver’s license?
Do you enjoy learning about, mastering and applying different forging, heat-treating and metal pre-cutting processes and techniques?
Do you like looking at a diagram and figuring out how it comes together?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Do you enjoy working with tools, different pieces of equipment?
Are you detail-oriented? Do you take pride in completing tasks perfectly? Are you a creative person?
Are you reliable, a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision? Do you have great communication skills?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Blacksmith (600P) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • Welder
  • Welder-Fitter
  • Ironworker
  • Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
  • Composite Structures Technician
  • Sheet Metal Worker
  • Boilermaker
  • Tool & Die Maker

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