Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

The Work

The work of a Glass Maker is divided into several different, related, activities  
 
Glass Blowers  
This is a highly skilled occupation involving good manual dexterity and good hand/eye co-ordination to facilitate proper blowing techniques. The craftsperson places a blowing iron into a furnace and gathers a small amount of molten crystal; using the blowing technique and wooden tools (made from beech and pear wood) he/she pre-shapes the molten crystal. He/she then places it into a cast iron mould and uses the blowing technique until it takes the shape of the mould.  
 
Glass Benders  
Bend glass by placing sheet glass over moulds and putting them in a furnace or kiln.  
 
Glass Cutters  
There are many types of cutting including Wedge Cutting where the craftsperson uses a diamond wheel to achieve a deep and smooth cut and Rheintour Cutting - this is done by using carborundum wheels to achieve a flat cut adding definition, taking away the round look to achieve a more attractive shape. This is often seen on the stem of stemware or the neck of decanters.  
 
Glass Decorators and Designers  
Decorators decorate the surface of an article using one or more of the techniques on offer. This alone is a skilled and demanding occupation. Designers come up with new shapes and/or decorations.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
• Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
• Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sises, or types of goods produced.
• Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
• Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
• Blow tubing into specified shapes to prevent glass from collapsing, using compressed air or own breath, or blow and rotate gathers in molds or on boards to obtain final shapes.
• Operate electric kilns that heat and mold glass sheets to the shape and curve of metal jigs.
• Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.
• Set up and adjust machine press stroke lengths and pressures and regulate oven temperatures, according to glass types to be processed.
• Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.

Further Information

• Glassmaker - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Workers in the glass industry learn through experience gained from experienced workers in the business.

The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) run courses in this area. Courses range from one year for introductory courses, to four years for specialist degree programmes.

A glassmaker can work with a glass manufacturing company or a craft-based glass studio. They also often work on commissions, exhibit in galleries and can be employed as educators and lecturers.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering operations, manufacturing, quality management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Art. Craft & Design, Ceramics and Design Techniques at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Engineering, OEM Engineering Technician Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles), Manufacturing Engineering NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Management, Quality management, Manfacturing NFQ level 9

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €55k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Gov.ie LRC/ DEASP/ Prosperity/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here

• Dublin Crystal Glass Company (Ireland) Ltd

  • St. Michael's Commercial Park, Dundrum Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14
  • (01) 298 7302
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here