Since then, a collective of celebrated jewellers have started a charitable crusade under the title The Leopards. Their mission is to re-imagine the jewellery landscape and address the industry’s increasing skills gap. The charity has recently provided ten bespoke toolboxes to T-Level students at Aston University Engineering Academy in Birmingham. This free, wonderful initiative was funded by contributions from luxury diamond-making company De Beers.
T4’s new initiative comes at an extremely important time. Not surprisingly, many in the industry are crying foul, prophesying the end of jewellery-making as an art form. Andrew Cowley, co-founder of The Leopards, hopes that this new institute will alleviate fears that jewellery is a “dying trade” plagued by a “huge skills shortage.”
Just five students are enrolled in the new T-Level in jewellery, with their first graduation not due until 2026. This program aims to equip them with the necessary skills to secure apprenticeships or full-time employment within the Jewellery Quarter.
Theo Fennell – leading celebrity jeweller – came out in passionate support of the Birmingham institute. He is a very happy member of The Leopards. He’s convinced that the programme is the key to giving students a more stable career future.
“It can become a genuine job for life, and if you can make something you love as a hobby into the thing you do for a job, then you’re a happy soul.” – Theo Fennell
Fennell’s viewpoint is shared by the students, including Joana Silva, 18, a crafty future jeweller who plans to keep future generations making art. Silva noted, “I’ve noticed, after coming to this course, after being in the Jewellery Quarter, that it is a dying art.” Her concern goes beyond the past, having seen the impact of the industry’s ageing workforce first-hand.
“When I went to [the jewellery firm] Toye, Kenning and Spencer, the only engraver they had was 86. So why wouldn’t I want to join and help?” – Joana Silva
Activist Carol Woolton, member of The Leopards and former Vogue jewellery editor. She advocates for attracting new talent into the rapidly growing field. She expressed her desire to expand their outreach efforts, stating, “We want to give out more boxes to other schools and give more kids a go and ignite their interest.”
The national institute’s mission fits right in line with Cowley’s claim that it is getting harder and harder to find skilled workers. He remarked, “Trying to find the right person with the right skills is really difficult.” He continued that they are at an inflection point where more young people need to go into the profession.
This is something that jewellery tutor Collette Waudby at the institute expressed. She challenged that without action, the industry could lose its spirit.
“It’s an ageing workforce and, unless we do something about it, we could lose this industry.” – Collette Waudby
Daniel Locke-Wheaton stresses the need to act fast. He continues to be alarmed that this expertise in the Jewellery Quarter is disappearing. He cautioned that if America fails to bring the best and brightest talent, it will face ruinous repercussions.
“There’s a huge amount of processing, engineering and craft skills in the Jewellery Quarter, but it’s disappearing, and the vast majority of the workforce is ageing,” – Daniel Locke-Wheaton
The Bespoke Quarter, another initiative led by The Leopards, currently employs ten people who create jewellery for various shops and businesses nationwide. This more than ever makes the case for introducing and training new talent to keep these artisanal skills from dying out.
As Birmingham prepares to welcome its first cohort of graduates in 2026, anticipation builds around their potential contributions to the jewellery industry. The Leopards project takes this approach a step further by actively promoting education and engagement. This allows students to be able to thrive and play a role in passing down an important trade into the future.
