Waterford Crystal has taken on eight trainees the first in almost 30 years in traditional disciplines of crystal-blowing, cutting, sculpting and engraving.

They were part of a group of nine who have just completed a year-long training programme jointly run by Waterford Wexford Training Services and Waterford Crystal, while the ninth has gone into full-time education.

The Craft Manufacturing Training Programme was advertised in July of 2014 and the course started the following September. Participants were trained in either crystal manufacturing, blowing, cutting, sculpting, or engraving, with all training accredited through Waterford Wexford Training Services (WWTS) and The House of Waterford Crystal.

Centre manager at WWTS, John Cassidy said this was the first Waterford Crystal traineeship run by the service and they were delighted with “the very successful outcome for the candidates and for the company”.

The new trainees progress to year two of a four-year programme to become master blowers, cutters, sculptors, or engravers with Waterford Crystal and are the first trainees to be taken on by Waterford since 1986.