5441 Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers

In short

• ONS unit group 5441, in minor group 544 (Other skilled trades) and major group 5 (Skilled trades occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,400 (£13.03 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Glass and ceramics workers, form, shape, decorate, smooth and polish glassware, earthenware, refractory goods, clay bricks and other ceramic goods.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs at levels 1, 2 and 3 are available in some areas.

Tasks

• uses hand tools and operates machinery to heat, bend, shape, press, drill and cut glass
• makes artificial eyes, laminated glass sheets or blocks, glass fibre tissue, wool, filament and matting, marks optical lenses and assembles rimless spectacles
• makes models and moulds from moulding clay and plaster for use in the making and casting of pottery and other ceramic goods
• throws, casts and presses clay by hand or machine to form pottery, stoneware or refractory goods such as bricks, crucibles, ornaments, sanitary furnishings, saggars, cups, saucers, plates and roofing tiles
• cuts and joins unfired stoneware pipes to form junctions and gullies, moulds sealing bands on clay pipes, prepares and joins porcelain or earthenware components and assists crucible makers and stone workers with their tasks
• applies decorative designs and finishes to glassware, optical glass and ceramic goods by grinding, smoothing, polishing, cutting, etching, dipping, painting or transferring patterns or labels

Related job titles

• Ceramic artist
• Glass blower
• Potter (ceramics mfr)
• Pottery worker
• Sprayer (ceramics mfr)
• Stained glass artist

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5441 Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Ceramic makers, decorators and finishers
• Ceramic potters
• Glass blowers
• Glass makers, decorators and finishers
• Optical glass makers
• Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5441 Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

5441

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Ceramic makers, decorators and finishers
• Ceramic potters
• Glass blowers
• Glass makers, decorators and finishers
• Optical glass makers
• Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,400 (£13.03 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 544

• 5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers
• 5443 Florists
• 5449 Other skilled trades n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

SponsorFlow provides compliance software and record-keeping tools. It is not a law firm or an immigration adviser and does not give legal or immigration advice, which are regulated activities (Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, section 84). This page describes what the published Home Office guidance and the Immigration Rules say, with the paragraph for each point, so you can read the source yourself. Guidance versions and figures are those in force on the date shown; the Home Office changes them, so check the current version before you rely on any of it.