Becoming a Silversmith in the 1800s

[mikesarl]

My 3 x great grandfather was John Sarl, he was in the army serving in the 87th regiment of foot during the begining of the 1800s and then he was medically discharged due to being wounded in the groin, he then went on to become a gold/silversmith, clock and watch maker and jeweller.
What training would he have gone through at this time to enable him to call himeself a gold/silver smith and how long would it have taken for him to achieve this.
Many Thanks
Mike