We are now offering NEB Level 1 certification and education! Our approach uses project-based learning and skills-based assessment: forge cool stuff (on your own or in classes), and present it for assessment on a Level 1 Progress Record. This document indicates both what skills you have worked on and how you are improving. Because there are no specific projects required, you are free to focus on work that excites you, whether that’s artistic or historic, traditional or modern!
NEB Level 1 certified smiths will be well-rounded, independently productive, and safe blacksmiths. They will be well prepared for intermediate education, including ABANA Level 2. Their all-around competence makes them excellent candidates for work in a museum or fairground demonstration shop.
Why do it? To push your self to greater depth and breadth in blacksmithing, while also working on projects that excite you. Earning certification means you are have all the foundational skills of blacksmithing, and can them to produce cool and useful stuff. Focusing on hand-forging skills maximizes what you can do with just a hammer and anvil, and makes you capable of working well in virtually any blacksmith shop. Certification can be a great personal goal, a capstone project, or a nice qualification to add to your resume. And, of course, you will get a certificate, numbered and recorded, and a “New England Blacksmiths Certified” patch for your jacket or apron.
To get certified, talk to an NEB or ABANA instructor at the Gilbert Center or an NEB Meet. Bring your Progress Record and any appropriate work you’ve forged, and ask to have it assessed. Then you can talk about what to work on next!
NEB Level 1 Education
To help support the new NEB Level 1 certification, we will be offering our members a number of formal classes, all teaching projects appropriate for Level 1.
At the Gilbert Teaching Center in Brentwood, NH, a project will be taught every session! 2nd Saturdays will focus on building Level 1 skills. Last Saturdays will include a great project for our newest smiths. You can check the events page for dates.
At each NEB Meet, we will teach three formal classes (one each day). Saturday afternoon will be a great 1st/2nd/3rd –timer project. Friday afternoon and Sunday morning will offer something a little more advanced. Please come join us!
Level 1 Students
There are a few things you’ll need to get started on your certification.
- FAQ – It’s good to start here and get an idea of what you’ll be doing and get those questions answered ahead of time.
- Progress Record – You will need this to know what is required and to get those skills signed off on.
Level 1 Instructors
If you’re interested in being an instructor to help those going through their certification, then check out the Instructor Information.