(Much more than) A Little Learning! - JET Journeys

19 Oct 2021

NAJ Presentation of Awards

This November, the Livery Hall in Goldsmiths’ Hall, will, once again, be the appropriately opulent setting for the award ceremony.

The magnificent hall will thrum with a buzz of excitement as the industry throng acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of NAJ JET students.

 View NAJ Education Awards

NAJ chair Gary Wroe, explains, 

“Education and training are the bedrock to improvement and personal development.

“The NAJ JET programme is a shining light in our industry, delivering what is important to businesses. Our upcoming special awards serve to recognise those that have achieved success in their chosen area; they’re the pinnacle of what hard work and dedication are all about.”

Beaverbrooks is an avid supporter of the JET programme and the Education Awards. Chair Mark Adlestone comments:

“We appreciate the JET 2 course requires more time and commitment from our colleagues, and the Education Awards are our chance to celebrate their success and thank each colleague individually for their effort in completing it to such a high standard. That the awards are held in the Goldsmiths’ Hall is a fabulous bonus; the venue is superb, and our colleagues are always blown away by the grandeur and history they get to see and experience.

“We love to support the NAJ – we continue to encourage our colleagues to complete the JET 2 course (at our cost) as we know the confidence they gain from having the knowledge enables them to better support their customers, which ultimately reflects in our performance as a company.”

View NAJ Courses

The Greenough Trophy

Every year, a JET student is awarded the prestigious Greenough Trophy.

It’s a mark of recognition for skill, dedication and hard work, presented to the student who achieves the highest aggregate marks for the most outstanding project in the Professional Jewellers’ Diploma.

In 2020, the honour went to Henrietta Mapplebeck, who works in the head office of Browns Family Jewellers in Harrogate. While undertaking the JET course, she was working at HL Brown & Son in its York branch, Barbara Cattle.

We spoke to her about the award and her jewellery journey.

What does receiving the trophy mean to you?

I’m surprised, honoured and delighted by this award! I’d like to thank my previous employer Barbara Cattle for enrolling me on to JET. A colleague, Leah, had won it previously; I visited the Scarborough branch where she worked and saw the trophy on display. Mine will be displayed at the head office, where all company members will be able to view it.

I really enjoyed this course – every module was so different, making it very interesting to study.

I gained further expertise and now feel much more confident with my jewellery knowledge. I especially enjoyed the final project, which included design, development and gemstones involving each period in the history of jewellery – something I’m particularly interested in.

JET is great for anyone in the trade wanting to gain greater knowledge. It has so many different topics – especially important as the jewellery industry is such an interesting trade that you’re constantly learning new things – it’s why I love it. I want to study further courses in the future.

What drew you to the jewellery industry?

I’ve always been creative. After finishing school in 2010, I studied for a 3D design crafts diploma at York College, which has a jewellery department. I developed a fascination for jewellery and made my first silver ring at 16.

To further my practical skills, after college I took a jewellery and metalwork BA Honours degree at Sheffield Hallam University, then showcased my work at New Designers in London. From that, I won mentoring schemes and set up my own workshop.

I obtained a scholarship for a master’s in jewellery – an amazing offer, but I wanted a break from studying and to learn a different side of the industry.

So, I’ve been working in the trade full time since 2015. The wonderful companies I’ve worked for have given me such vast knowledge, across all aspects of the industry.

View NAJ Courses

View The Jeweller Autumn 2021

Source: The NAJ