Iain Macdonald, who has been creating jewellery in the Perth Hills for more than 30 years, said he and his Kalamunda Jewellers boss Andrew Hurst ” a fifth generation jewellery maker ” wanted to keep the trade alive.
‘I am not far off retirement ” about 10 to 12 years away ” and this trade has been really good to me,’ Mr Macdonald said.
‘You name it we do it; rings, pendants, chains, we set our own stones, cut opal.
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READ NOW‘We are community oriented, so we would like to see a young local take on an apprenticeship with us.’
He said that if they could not find anyone, once he stepped aside, the business would be gone.
Mr Macdonald said he had seen many people take up an apprenticeship in jewellery only to drop out because the job was not what they thought.
‘Making jewellery is not a clean trade,’ he said.
‘Some people come in with the mindset that we wear white coats to make the jewellery but this job is basically metalwork.
‘I go home with my hands stained black, I burn myself all the time.
‘Usually, when people realise what it is really like, they bail out.’
Mr Macdonald said applicants did not need any design experience.
‘You just need to be good with your hands,’ he said.
Anyone wanting to apply for an apprenticeship can call 9293 3043.