Piano Tuner Training in 19th century

[Len Street]

I have an ancestor - Timothy O'Keeffe, b ca 1824 d 1862 - who worked as a piano tuner while living in the Haggerston district of London. I am curious as to how people engaged in such a profession were trained at that time - it wasn't a family tradition as Timothy's father was a licensed victualler. Was training via an apprenticeship or did it come through working in a piano manufactory?
I would be interested to receive any information.

[Bill Kibby]

I suspect this is too early to be a college or polytechnic job, so he probably learned his trade as an apprentice in a factory. I have a collection of piano appprenticeship copies and transcripts, but none are specifically tuners. Perhaps some of our other tuners have ideas for you.