One of the greatest challenges facing established jewellers today is balancing the training of apprentices with the pressure of meeting current demand.
Teaching the next generation takes time, patience, and resources — all of which are in short supply when workshops are already operating at or beyond capacity.
Without adequate support, many jewellers simply cannot afford to take on apprentices, even when they are deeply committed to passing on their skills.
This is where government subsidisation can make a genuine difference. Financial support encourages retailers to hire enthusiastic, capable apprentices eager to learn. Over time, this investment pays dividends by producing skilled tradespeople who strengthen the work force and, in many cases, go on to become business owners themselves. However, that outcome depends on support being available now — when retailers need it most.
Encouragingly, recent developments suggest this message is finally being heard. Had this campaign not taken place, it is difficult to imagine these issues receiving the attention they now have. For that, everyone involved deserves credit.
It has been a pleasure working closely with both Colin Pocklington of Nationwide Jewellers and Joshua Zarb of the Independent Jewellers Collective throughout this process. Colin has demonstrated outstanding leadership and deserves particular recognition for his dedication to this endeavour. The recent acknowledgement of these developments by the Jewellers Association of Australia is also welcome. While the JAA has not been directly involved in this work to date, engagement at this stage is still meaningful.
There is, however, a great deal of work still to be done. The future of the Australian jewellery trade is a conversation worth having — and one that must continue.
Over the past 12 months, the efforts of Australia’s major industry buying groups — Showcase Jewellers, Nationwide Jewellers, and the Independent Jewellers Collective — have resulted in meaningful progress.
It's a march towards securing a stronger future for the local jewellery trade. For an industry that has long operated quietly in the background, this collaboration marks an important moment of unity.
One of the most tangible outcomes arrived recently, when the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations published its updated Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, effective from 1 January 2026. For the first time, jewellery apprentices will be eligible for much-needed financial support. This decision recognises jewellery manufacturing as a skilled trade worthy of greater investment.
There is no question this represents a significant step forward — but it would be a mistake to treat it as the finish line. In reality, it is only the beginning.
Throughout this process, it has become clear that there remains a substantial gap in understanding within government departments about the health, complexity, and long-term prospects of the Australian jewellery industry. At times, the industry has felt misunderstood and, frankly, undervalued.
Despite employing thousands of skilled workers and contributing meaningfully to Australia’s creative and manufacturing identity, jewellery is often overlooked in broader skills and workforce discussions.
Drawing attention to the lack of structured support — and the urgent need for investment in training young jewellers — was never going to be easy. Trades that operate behind storefronts tend to be invisible until something breaks. Unfortunately, by the time skills shortages become obvious to the public, it is often too late to reverse the damage quickly.
This is precisely why collaboration between the three buying groups matters. By working together, we have delivered a unified message to those outside the industry. Collectively, we represent the majority of independent jewellery retailers in Australia — small businesses deeply embedded in local communities. When voices like these align, they are far harder to ignore.
Progress, however, has not come without frustration. At every turn, there is more red tape, more bureaucracy, and more boxes to tick. Change within government systems is rarely swift, and industries like ours often struggle to be heard.
Yet the underlying issue is too serious to ignore. The Australian jewellery trade is facing a looming skills gap. Many highly experienced jewellers are approaching retirement, while too few emerging jewellers are entering the industry with the training and support required to replace them. This imbalance is already being felt.
Local businesses are struggling to meet demand for custom-made jewellery and repair services. Turnaround times are increasing, workloads are intensifying, and business owners are stretched thin. If these issues are not addressed now, it is not difficult to imagine how much worse the situation could become.
If Australian jewellers are unable to meet future demand, consumers will inevitably look overseas. When that happens, the consequences extend far beyond longer wait times or higher shipping costs.
We risk losing highly specialised skills altogether. Once manufacturing and design capability leaves our shores, it is extraordinarily difficult to bring it back.
That would be a genuine loss. Australia may be a small country, but it has earned a strong international reputation for jewellery design and manufacturing.
Our designers and craftspeople regularly receive international recognition and awards — including members from within our own buying groups. For an industry of this size, that is no small achievement.
Without sustained investment in training, that identity will slowly erode. Design and production will continue to shift offshore. We will lose more than an industry — we will lose a cultural craft.
Name: Anthony Enriquez
Business: Showcase Jewellers
Position: Managing Director
Location: Sydney, Australia
Years in the industry: 6+
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