Getting Started Online 2026 – Guidelines and FAQs
Overview
Getting Started Online is our free, one-week introduction to business course for up to 100 UK based designers, designer makers and skilled craftspeople in the jewellery and silversmithing industry. Delivered through live webinars over five industry-themed days, this online course allows you to learn from industry experts, network with others and exhibit your work.
We look forward to receiving your application. If you need any additional information or advice prior to submitting your application or need the form in a different format (including the option to submit a video application), please email our team at applications@goldsmiths-centre.org
1. Who can apply?
We seek applicants who have come through a variety of training and learning routes. Please apply if you:
reside in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
aspire to start, or are in the process of starting, or have recently started your own business or self-employment in the jewellery industry, whether as a designer, designer maker, silversmith or other skilled craftsperson.
have completed an accredited precious metal course, an accredited course in a related craft discipline, or a jewellery or silversmithing industry apprenticeship in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ‘Accredited’ means the course has been approved by a professional organisation such as a college or university. Examples of related craft disciplines, include non-precious metals, fashion, textiles, ceramics – usually these will have a design and/or making focus. Please contact our team if you are unsure whether your course meets these criteria.
are willing and available to attend this online course and have access to a reliable internet connection to do so.
You agree that the details provided as part of the application process may be held on an electronic database for the purpose of administration and Goldsmiths’ Centre related matters.
2. How do I apply?
This section details how to apply and the support documentation you will need to submit with your application form.
Step 1: Read these Guidelines or attend one of our online Information Sessions and ensure that you are eligible for Getting Started Online. For further information, visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org/getting-started-online
3. What are the key deadlines for Getting Started Online?
Getting Started Online 2026 applications close on: Sunday 11 January 2026 at 5pm
The training programme takes place online via Zoom: Monday 9Friday 13 March 2026; daily from 10am until 3pm (UK time)
Step 2: You can apply for Getting Started Online via:
a. our online application form, hosted online, which can be accessed via any standard web browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Please note that most fields in the application form are obligatory. You can save and return to your application up until the application deadline.
b. a video captured on your camera phone or computer and submitted via a file hosting service (such as a hidden Vimeo or YouTube link, Google Drive or Dropbox). Please contact applications@goldsmiths-centre.org to discuss making a submission in this format. Please see our FAQs for a step-by-step guide on how to best capture aspects of your application on camera.
There are three parts to the online application form:
1. Eligibility Criteria section is a checklist to assess whether you are eligible to apply for the programme.
2. Application Form: If you are eligible, you will proceed immediately to the application form.
3. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Survey: a short, anonymous online survey to support the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s ongoing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Your survey responses will not form part of the Getting Started Online selection process.
Step 3: Gather all your supporting materials and draft your responses for your online or recorded application in advance.
Supporting documentation:
3 good quality images that are representative of your portfolio of work (e.g. a finished piece, an example of a specialist technique, a design or a render).
Your images should be:
o In focus and well-lit, enabling it to be seen in detail
o Landscape in orientation
o If it is a finished piece, it should be on a white background. Or, if it is a wearable piece, then please show it being worn
o JPG, JPEG, PNG or Tiff format
o File size minimum 1.5MB, 300dpi
Each image should be given a file name that identifies it as yours and
links it to the object number on this e.g. ‘Object 1_Your Name’.
We do not intend to use the images for promotional purposes and would not do so without your permission.
Guidance for Part 1 of the application process
In Part 1 of the online application, you will review a checklist of eligibility criteria for Getting Started Online and confirm whether you meet all of the requirements. If you do not meet every criterion, you will not be able to continue with the application.
Guidance for Part 2 of the application process
In Part 2 of the online application form, you will be asked to provide the following information:
Question 1 – Contact Information: Your full name, email address, mobile phone number, correspondence address (UK-based).
Your welcome pack: You must provide a UK correspondence address where your welcome pack can be delivered. Non-residential addresses - including business addresses, PO boxes, and virtual addresses - will be rejected.
At this stage, you can choose whether to allow your contact details to be shared with a third-party courier for delivery of your welcome pack.
Questions 2 – 6 – Education and Training:
Details of the accredited precious metal course, accredited course in a related craft discipline, or jewellery or silversmithing industry apprenticeship you attended. If you have attended more than one such course, please list the one with the highest level of qualification:
Level of qualification.
Name of the course/apprenticeship.
Name of training provider/apprentice employer.
Year of course/apprenticeship completion.
Details of any other courses you think may be relevant to your application.
Questions 7 – 15 – Business Information:
Details of your business/self-employment in the jewellery or silversmithing industry
Whether you have started already or aspire to start in future
o If you have not yet started:
When do you plan to start trading?
Currently what is your main occupation?
o If you have started:
Is the business a Limited Company or are you selfemployed/sole trader?
What year did the business start trading?
o How many staff (including yourself), if any, does the business employ? (by ‘employ’ we mean people for whom the company submits payroll and tax returns to government).
o What is the total value of sales by the business each year?
o Name of your business, business address, business email address, business phone number and social media channels.
Questions 16 – 17 – Business Information:
What are the primary activities of your business, whether you have already started or aspire to start in future (e.g. jewellery design, jewellery manufacture, silversmithing, setting, mounting).
Details of the materials you work with (e.g. metals, gemstones or other materials).
Questions 19 – 29 – Images:
Please submit:
3 good quality images that are representative of your portfolio of work (e.g. a finished piece, an example of a specialist technique, a design or a render).
Your images should be:
o In focus and well-lit, enabling it to be seen in detail.
o Landscape in orientation.
o If it is a finished piece, it should be on a white background. Or, if is a wearable piece, then please show it being worn.
o JPG, JPEG, PNG or Tiff format.
o File size minimum 1.5MB, 300dpi.
Each image should be given a file name that identifies it as yours and links it to the object number on this e.g. ‘Object 1_Your Name’.
We do not intend to use the images for promotional purposes and would not do so without your permission.
We will also ask you to provide the following information about the images:
The title of the piece, or the techniques/skills being demonstrated.
The materials used.
Anything else you would like to tell us about the piece.
Questions 30 – 33 – Skills and Knowledge
How you rate your current skills.
Which skills and knowledge you want to develop further.
What other forms of support would help you to progress your ambitions over the next 12 months.
In no more than one paragraph, why you want to take part in Getting Started Online, and how you think it would benefit your career development.
Guidance for Part 3 of the application process
As part of the application process, you are asked to complete an online survey to support our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Your answers will be anonymous and do not form part of the selection process itself. All questions include a ‘Prefer not to say’ option.
The survey consists of 11 questions designed to help us better understand the audience we are reaching and, just as importantly, who we might be missingwhich helps us to make opportunities more inclusive and accessible:
Your gender
Your age range
Your country of birth
Your ethnicity
Whether you have any impairment or disability
Occupation of the main household earner when you were aged about 14
Type of school you attended between the ages of 11 and 16
Whether you were eligible for free school meals
Whether either of your parents attended university by the time you were aged 18
Applications should be completed online via the link which will be available on our website. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
All emails from the Goldsmiths’ Centre about Getting Started Online will come from applications@goldsmiths-centre.org, so please add this address to your contacts to avoid missing any important messages.
FAQs
What is the application process for the Spotlighting Getting Started, follow-on business skills training and showcasing opportunity?
All Getting Started Online participants who complete the programme will be invited to apply to participate in Spotlighting Getting Started. This opportunity is
perfect if you are ready to start putting what you have learnt during the Getting Started Online course into action. Through practical assignments, learn how to photograph your work, speak live to camera and prepare your pieces for the annual Spotlighting Getting Started showcase.
Full application details will be provided during the programme and more information can be found at www.goldsmiths-centre.org/learn-and-upskill/spotlighting-getting-started
Can I still apply for Getting Started Online if I can’t attend all the course?
We encourage you to attend all Getting Started Online sessions to get the most out of the course. However, if you’re unable to make some of the sessions, we’ll still consider your application and would be grateful if you can let us know before the programme starts about any sessions you will miss and the reasons why.
You’ll need to ensure that you catch up on the content by watching the recorded sessions before the end of March to qualify for the first round of Spotlighting Getting Started, and by the autumn to qualify for the second round of Spotlighting Getting Started. If you’d like to discuss your circumstances and how many days that you can attend, please email applications@goldsmithscentre.org
How will you assess my application?
Up to 100 people will be invited to participate in Getting Started Online. All applications will be anonymised and reviewed by an independent selection panel made up of invited external industry experts and the Goldsmiths' Centre team.
Is it possible to apply in other ways than the written application form?
Yes, you can submit a simple video captured on your camera phone or computer by following the steps below:
Step 1: Decide the format: Before you start filming, familiarise yourself with the questions in the application form and how you can best present your case through video.
Step 2: Write your script: Start by introducing yourself and then film a response to each question / section of the application form citing the number of each section in the application. Make sure your film is no longer than 30 minutes in total.
Step 3: Rehearse: It’s important to know what you’re going to say in your video, so write a short script and rehearse what you are going to say beforehand until you’re completely comfortable. You may want to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Make sure to speak clearly and slowly and let your personality shine through.
Step 4: Shoot your video: You don't need to buy or hire expensive equipment to create your video. You can simply use the camera on your smartphone (although you will need a tripod, something to prop your phone onto or a friend to film you) or a computer.
Set aside a few hours so there’s no time pressure – you’ll want to do as many takes as necessary to get it right. You should always film in a well-lit, indoor location with as little background noise as possible. Don’t film against a window; rather use it as natural side lighting. Do some test runs first to make sure the lighting is bright enough and the audio is clear on speakers and headphones – it can also be invaluable to have a friend record with you to get an alternative perspective.
Step 5: Submit your video application: Once you've saved your video in a common format such as MOV, MP4 or AVI, you can share your file via Google drive or Dropbox. You can also upload your video as a hidden video on YouTube or Vimeo and provide us with the link to applications@goldsmiths-centre.org