Above image: Thomas Lyte apprentice Idris Tetlow.
#InTheMoment series: we will interview Thomas Lyte staff, our partners and clients to explore in detail the moments that inspire us.
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Above image: Thomas Lyte’s newest apprentices with their masters at the Goldsmith’s Hall
Interviewees: Isa Sheik and Tigern Hunt
Roles: Polishing and Silversmith Apprentices, Thomas Lyte
#InTheMoment Blog Subject: The Journey of an Apprentice
Key Themes: Exploring life at Thomas Lyte as an apprentice, how to become an apprentice and what an apprentice experiences in the silversmithing trade
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Two Thomas Lyte apprentices have recently completed their binding to their master smiths during an historic ceremony at Goldsmith’s Hall. Proudly, we now have four apprentices developing their craft at our London workshops, putting into action Thomas Lyte’s core values of advancing young silversmiths into the trade. Isa Sheik, a polishing apprentice, and Tigern Hunt, a silversmith apprentice, gave time to lend an insight into their respective journeys.
Thomas Lyte is home to a number of talented young apprentices. We sat down with two of our newest recruits to find out how they’re settling in, and how they’ve found life at Thomas Lyte since joining the team:
Isa Sheik: “Thomas Lyte is a big company. I hadn’t realised how significant working here would be. Everyone here is a specialist in their field.
I’d never done anything like this, and neither had my family before me, so it was a brand-new experience. I always like to adapt, and I can pick things up quite quickly. There are so many people to learn from here, and you get the opportunity to be creative, so it’s really fun.”
Tigern Hunt: “As my first professional job, I found it intimidating. Thomas Lyte has a bigger team than places I’d worked before, but I’ve always been a silversmith, and being surrounded by other silversmiths made me feel more comfortable.
My father is a jeweller, so I’ve got a background in silversmithing. I also studied blacksmithing at college. Entering the trade at a young age can be really beneficial. The government has changed the entry age for foundation courses to 18 years old, so now the access isn’t there for those leaving school. I think it should be.”
Above image: silversmith apprentice Tigern Hunt with his father and master goldsmith and silversmith, Kevin Hart
Thomas Lyte are responsible for many of the world’s elite sporting trophies. Our apprentices will often get first hand experience, working closely with our master silversmiths, on important projects. The expectation and pressure can be high, but we find it an invaluable mentoring experience for our apprentices. Day-to-day growth and learning come naturally when working closely with our team on some of the most prestigious awards in global sport.:
Isa Sheik: “Seeing the awards and trophies being lifted is special. You feel like a part of the competition. It makes you feel like, wow, that came through me.
The first thing I’ll do is approach the master polisher for work. I’ll also endeavour to better my skills in the workshop with the silversmiths whenever I can alongside my polishing work.”
Tigern Hunt: “My friends and family will always ask me if I’ve seen certain competitions because of the trophies being lifted, so I’m watching more sports as a result.
My days are usually quite structured. I do lots of project work, so I know what I’m working on from one day to the next. I get to manage my workload, however there are sometimes urgent projects the team need help with that require extra attention. These projects often allow me to expand my skillset and grow as a silversmith.”
Thomas Lyte now have four apprentices, which is a significant commitment to future generations of goldsmiths and silversmiths. We are focussed on developing apprentices into masters of their craft. At Thomas Lyte, collaboration and collective growth sit at the heart of every apprenticeship, where skill development thrives within a close-knit workshop community. We have cultivated an eco-system where masters teach the apprentices, and the apprentices themselves share advice depending on their experience:
Isa Sheik: “As a polishing apprentice, the most interesting skill has been learning to use the green wheel. It’s the most abrasive mop, and there is little room for error. Learning how to use the mop correctly and learning how to rectify errors has been an interesting technique to develop.
I’ve also been doing a lot of saw piercing recently, and one of the older apprentices has really helped me with that. He even showed me how the blade can be used as a file.”
Tigern Hunt: “I have previous experience with soldering, but I’ve now learned about all the various types of solder and how they behave. I’ve been able to learn, and practise using them during my daily work.
“I was lucky enough to come into the job with skills in my toolbelt, however one thing I’ve learned from the other apprentices is to ask questions. I don’t tend to ask questions, but I’ve found it really useful, and asking questions has always lead to a better understanding or result.”
Thomas Lyte are a member of the Goldsmith’s livery company. In 2012, the Goldsmith’s Centre was officially opened by HRH Princess Alexandra, having redeveloped a Grade II Listed 1872 Victorian London Board School. Representing the largest ever direct investment by the Goldsmiths’ Company into the craft and industry, the opening of the centre allows the trade to apply for memberships and apprenticeships.
Having completed their binding ceremonies, our apprentices will spend time at the Goldsmith’s Centre studying and working on multiple facets of silversmithing throughout their apprenticeships:
Isa Sheik: “A polishing apprenticeship lasts 3 years. In the final year, you are able to create your masterpiece, putting the skills you’ve learned into designing and making.
I’ve always wanted to learn CAD (Computer Aided Design). Engineering on software has really caught my eye, so I’m excited to explore that during my apprenticeship.”
Tigern Hunt: “As a silversmith, the apprenticeship takes 4 years to complete.
I’m really looking forward to learning and practising enamelling. We’ve had a brief introduction, but it’s a highly technical skill. Like hand-engraving, which I’m also very much looking forward to.”
Each apprentice has a different journey. Every story is different, and there is inspiration to be taken from all. The apprentices at Thomas Lyte are no different, and they are able to offer advice from their experiences:
Isa Sheik: “I took a gap year once school had finished and started looking for jobs and apprenticeships. I came to Thomas Lyte to get some experience in a professional working environment, and once I saw the opportunity, I expressed an interest and Thomas Lyte cleared a path for me to become a polishing apprentice.
I’ve always been quite good with my hands. I was looking at apprenticeships in engineering and mechanics but was offered an apprenticeship here as a polisher. It was a huge opportunity. I spoke to some of the other apprentices, and they showed me how good the apprenticeship would be, at a place as prestigious as Thomas Lyte.”
Tigern Hunt: “During college I studied blacksmithing, and I did work experience at a silversmiths. They suggested I start a foundation course at the Goldsmith’s Centre. I applied, got an interview and was one of 3 chosen from a group of 30. It was there that my work was noticed by Thomas Lyte and I was offered a week of work experience.
I wanted to make a good impression, so I worked really hard. After that first week, I was offered a position as a silversmith and began my apprenticeship shortly afterwards. The apprenticeship course is also a good community of people with different talents. We can all utilise each other’s skills to improve our work.”
Above image: polishing apprentice Isa Sheik working at a polishing lathe
Isa Sheik: “If you’re interested in becoming an apprentice, try your hardest to get one. Some of my friends gave up because apprenticeships can be hard to find, but if you have the time, find the connections and don’t give up.”
Tigern Hunt: “Ask for work everywhere you go. You can also look for foundation courses and ask people in the industry where they’d recommend for apprenticeships.”
Through the scheme run by The Goldsmith’s Centre, we offer apprenticeships in crafting positions under the stewardship of the master craftspeople at our workshops. If you would like to explore the possibility of an apprenticeship at Thomas Lyte, fill out our Apprenticeship Contact Form and we will let you know when a position becomes available.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of our #InTheMoment employee blog series as we continue to explore experiences in the trade, life at Thomas Lyte and the world of goldsmithing and silversmithing.
Read about our press mentions and awards for the project
We have selected a number of case studies that demonstrate the broad range of our capabilities designing and making in precious metals.
