Job holders in this unit group engrave jewellery and stoneware, make artificial hairpieces, charge fireworks and munitions with explosive material, make lampshades, wickerwork, toys, dolls, models, candles, artificial flowers, other fancy goods, make patterns for moulds for metal castings, make and tune musical instruments, craft precious metals and stones, and perform other hand craft occupations not elsewhere classified in minor group 544: Other skilled trades.
Also calledCeramics designer-makerCeramicistModel makerPaint sprayerAutomotive refinisherBodyshop workerand 416 more titles
!More than half (58%) of other skilled trades n.e.c. work for themselves. These pay figures only cover employees, so they may not reflect what self-employed other skilled trades n.e.c. earn.
Typical pay by regionUK median £29,300
Typical full-time pay for other skilled trades n.e.c. by region
East Midlands!£29,400
Yorkshire and The Humber!£29,100
West Midlands!£25,100
North EastNot published by ONS–
North WestNot published by ONS–
East of EnglandNot published by ONS–
LondonNot published by ONS–
South EastNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
ScotlandNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with cautionShow as table
UK median, £29,300
East Midlands
£29,400 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber
£29,100 (small sample)
West Midlands
£25,100 (small sample)
North East
Not published by ONS
North West
Not published by ONS
East of England
Not published by ONS
London
Not published by ONS
South East
Not published by ONS
South West
Not published by ONS
Scotland
Not published by ONS
Wales
Not published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
2023 £30,900
2024 £31,000
2025 Provisional£29,300
↓ 5.1% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.
Jobs and demand
ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE
About 761 jobs for other skilled trades n.e.c. are advertised each month.
New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New online job adverts for other skilled trades n.e.c. each month
05001,0001,5002,000
20172019202120232025
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (1 in all)Show as table
Aug 2026
719
Jul 2026
847
Jun 2026
891
May 2026
1,032
Apr 2026
725
Mar 2026
Not published
Feb 2026
679
Jan 2026
722
Dec 2025
466
Nov 2025
760
Oct 2025
813
Sept 2025
718
Aug 2025
788
Jul 2025
777
Jun 2025
812
May 2025
921
Apr 2025
685
Mar 2025
878
Feb 2025
804
Jan 2025
781
Dec 2024
459
Nov 2024
647
Oct 2024
800
Sept 2024
790
Aug 2024
716
Jul 2024
866
Jun 2024
921
May 2024
1,029
Apr 2024
1,006
Mar 2024
867
Feb 2024
921
Jan 2024
997
Dec 2023
754
Nov 2023
855
Oct 2023
790
Sept 2023
751
Aug 2023
850
Jul 2023
886
Jun 2023
1,234
May 2023
1,329
Apr 2023
989
Mar 2023
1,079
Feb 2023
998
Jan 2023
1,334
Dec 2022
917
Nov 2022
1,022
Oct 2022
1,196
Sept 2022
1,177
Aug 2022
1,128
Jul 2022
1,144
Jun 2022
1,136
May 2022
1,246
Apr 2022
929
Mar 2022
1,107
Feb 2022
865
Jan 2022
1,142
Dec 2021
882
Nov 2021
1,074
Oct 2021
1,067
Sept 2021
1,029
Aug 2021
953
Jul 2021
1,179
Jun 2021
1,033
May 2021
1,164
Apr 2021
757
Mar 2021
1,055
Feb 2021
633
Jan 2021
681
Dec 2020
624
Nov 2020
708
Oct 2020
937
Sept 2020
893
Aug 2020
891
Jul 2020
859
Jun 2020
709
May 2020
761
Apr 2020
713
Mar 2020
1,023
Feb 2020
1,097
Jan 2020
1,659
Dec 2019
958
Nov 2019
1,322
Oct 2019
1,335
Sept 2019
1,389
Aug 2019
1,095
Jul 2019
1,348
Jun 2019
1,265
May 2019
1,689
Apr 2019
1,051
Mar 2019
1,463
Feb 2019
1,070
Jan 2019
1,367
Dec 2018
722
Nov 2018
1,541
Oct 2018
1,121
Sept 2018
988
Aug 2018
994
Jul 2018
874
Jun 2018
1,081
May 2018
1,102
Apr 2018
935
Mar 2018
1,172
Feb 2018
1,323
Jan 2018
1,214
Dec 2017
875
Nov 2017
1,152
Oct 2017
1,175
Sept 2017
1,126
Aug 2017
1,214
Jul 2017
1,109
Jun 2017
1,089
May 2017
1,146
Apr 2017
1,040
Mar 2017
1,228
Feb 2017
962
Jan 2017
1,173
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
49%against 27% for all jobs
This groupAll jobs
Broader groupFigure for other skilled trades, which includes other skilled trades n.e.c.. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
Local areas with the most adverts for other skilled trades n.e.c.
Recruitment from abroad. 23 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from Cuba, India, France, ranking it 172nd of 313. Home Office
Who does it
ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
34%aged 55 or over
30%hold a degree
58%self-employed
31%women
Age of other skilled trades n.e.c.
Age profile of other skilled trades n.e.c.
n/p
9.6%!
32%!
24%!
25%!
8.8%!
16–2425–3435–4445–5455–6465+
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publishShow as table
16–24
Not published
25–34
9.6% (small sample)
35–44
32% (small sample)
45–54
24% (small sample)
55–64
25% (small sample)
65+
8.8% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Highest qualification held by other skilled trades n.e.c.
Degree or equivalent30%
Higher education below degree!5.3%
A levels or equivalent26%
GCSEs or equivalent27%
Other qualifications!3.7%
No qualifications!7%
!Small sample: treat with cautionShow as table
Degree or equivalent
30%
Higher education below degree
5.3% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent
26%
GCSEs or equivalent
27%
Other qualifications
3.7% (small sample)
No qualifications
7% (small sample)
Main employers: manufacture of jewellery and related articles (13%), repair of other personal and household goods (6.1%), other retail sale of new goods in specialised stores (5.8%), advertising agencies (5.8%).
How to get in
Hold a degree
30%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
4
from level 3, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
2 to 3 years
typically
T Levels
1
college courses for 16 to 19 year olds
Self-employed
58%
of people in the job
Routes in
Ceramics designer-maker
You can get into this job through:
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in an art and craft subject like:
visual arts
3D design and craft
ceramics
fine art
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
a foundation diploma in art and design
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
College
You could do a Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design at college. You'll need to check that the course covers ceramics or pottery before you start.
An interest in art and crafts is usually more important than qualifications to join a course.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do a Craft Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with a design studio or workshop.
This can take up to 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Other ways in
Work your way up
You could start as a design studio assistant and specialise in ceramics through workshops and training on the job.
Other routes
You could attend workshops and training courses offered by ceramic artists and design studios. These can help you to develop your skills and make contacts in the industry, which could lead to work.
Courses vary in length and cost and are often open to all abilities.
Registration and professional bodies
Career tips
You'll need to put together a portfolio of work to show to potential employers and course providers. You can also use social media and online craft communities to market yourself and get your work recognised.
Further information
You can learn more about the life of a ceramics designer from the Crafts Council.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for ceramics designer-maker. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Model maker
You can get into this job through:
University
You can do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:
modelmaking
3D design
art and design
sculpture
visual effects
product design
You'll usually need a portfolio of work to get onto a course. A foundation course in art and design can help you to prepare for this.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
a foundation diploma in art and design
at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could do a college course to help you learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee position with a company.
Courses include:
2D and 3D computer-aided design
carpentry
art and design
design and technology
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Model Maker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
This takes around 3 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with learning off site.
Training includes skills in physical and digital model making, building prototypes and creating mock-ups.
You might apply to do a Props Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship if you want to work in TV and film.
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 degree apprenticeship
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Apply directly
You may be able to apply for jobs directly if you have experience of model making from other work like engineering, architectural technology, set design, carpentry or prop making.
Registration and professional bodies
Career tips
Making things out of different types of materials as a hobby can help you develop your creative skills. You can demonstrate your potential to course providers and employers by creating a portfolio of your work.
Further information
Find more advice about working in model making in the creative industries through ScreenSkills.
For information on model making in architecture go to the Society of Architectural Illustrators.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for model maker. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Paint sprayer
You can get into this job through:
College
You could take a college course that will teach you some of the skills you'll need to get a trainee position.
Courses include:
body and paint maintenance
accident repair - paint
vehicle accident repair paint principles
You might also be able to do paint spraying and finishing as part of an engineering course. Check with local colleges for more details.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply for an advanced apprenticeship with a paint spraying workshop, including:
Accident Repair Technician Level 3
Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Level 3
Surface Finisher Level 3
These take between 2 and 3 years to complete and are a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Apply directly
You can apply for jobs in vehicle paint spraying if you've got experience and a qualification in:
vehicle accident and repair
motor manufacturing
engineering
You can find out more about how to become a paint technician from the Institute of the Motor Industry.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for paint sprayer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Prop maker
You can get into this job through:
University
You could take a foundation degree or degree in:
prop making
scenic arts
production arts
art and design
The Federation of Drama Schools has information on performance-based higher education courses in UK conservatoires that include production arts.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
a foundation diploma in art and design
at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You can do a college course that can give you some of the practical skills needed to get a trainee job.
Courses include:
art and design
creative crafts
3D design and crafts
technical theatre
carpentry
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Props Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship takes between a year and a half and 2 years to complete. It is a mix of workplace learning and time spent with a training provider.
You might apply to do a Model Maker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. Training includes skills in physical and digital model making, building prototypes and creating mock-ups.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Other ways in
Work your way up
You may start by working in a theatre as a props assistant or stage technician, then move into prop making through training and promotion. In film and TV you would start as an art department trainee.
Volunteering
Volunteering for student productions, festivals and amateur theatre is a good way to get experience and make contact with people working in the industry. This could help when searching for jobs.
Look out for work experience opportunities with theatres and production companies. Sometimes these are advertised under their vacancies section or on social media. They may also run workshops and short schemes for people to learn more about working in the creative arts.
Apply directly
You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have training and experience in related areas like graphic design, furniture making or model making.
Registration and professional bodies
Career tips
Your creative talent and model making skills. along with experience, can often be as important as formal qualifications.
You can create a portfolio of your work to show employers your range of skills.
Further information
You can find out more about working in props from Get Into Theatre and ScreenSkills.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for prop maker. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Sign maker
You can get into this job through:
College
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Courses include:
computer-aided design
graphic design
art and design
engineering
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could do the Signage Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to get into this career.
This will normally take 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Apply directly
You can apply for jobs directly. It may be useful to have GCSEs, A levels, or equivalent qualifications, in subjects like design and technology or art and design. English, maths and ICT would also be helpful.
You might have an advantage if you have experience and qualifications in:
computer numerical control (CNC) machining
welding
laser cutting
printing and reprographics
What you’ll need
have a full driving licence
be able to cope with working at height
Registration and professional bodies
Career tips
If you're going to work as a sign installer, it may be helpful to get a Powered Access Licence, which would allow you to operate a mobile aerial platform. Some employers might put you through the licence course as part of your training.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for sign maker. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Musical instrument maker and repairer
You can get into this job through:
University
You could do a specialist musical instrument craft degree or foundation degree at university. Some universities also offer short courses in instrument making and repair.
You would learn traditional skills and knowledge to specialise in building and repairing instruments like guitar, violin, piano or woodwind.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
Some colleges and adult education centres run short courses in instrument repair, for example for guitars or violins.
Check with your local education centre to see what they offer.
The British Violin Making Association has details of courses around the country for that particular instrument.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this route.
Other ways in
Apply directly
You could approach instrument repairers directly to see if they're willing to take you on as a trainee. Craft skills like carpentry would be useful alongside enthusiasm for the profession and a keenness to learn.
Other routes
You could take a training course with a specialist provider related to the type of instrument you want to make. Courses are also offered by professional bodies for particular instruments, for example:
British Violin Making Association
Piano Tuners' Association
Entry requirements will depend on the type of course you want to do.
Registration and professional bodies
Career tips
Craft skills are often more important than qualifications to get into this career. A background in woodworking or model making may help.
You might also find it useful if you can play the musical instrument you want to learn how to make or repair.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers for professional development and to make contacts in the profession.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for musical instrument maker and repairer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Apprenticeships
4 for this job
Level 3About 3 years
Jewellery, silversmithing, and allied trades professional
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.
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