Foundry mould maker
Moulder, core maker, foundry castings maker
Foundry moulders make moulds to shape molten metal into castings used to make parts for industry.
Salary range: £16,000 to £25,000
How to become a foundry mould maker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
College
You can do an engineering course at college, which may help when you start looking for work. Courses include:
- Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Engineering
- Level 1 Diploma in Engineering and Manufacturing
- Level 2 Certificate in Engineering
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
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Apprenticeship
You can complete an engineering operative intermediate apprenticeship or a metal casting and foundry technician advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
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Work
You could start as a foundry process worker and do training on the job to become a mould maker.
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Further information
You can find out more about careers in the metals industry from the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and Tomorrow’s Engineers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- concentration skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- mixing sand and clay to make moulds
- injecting resin into sand to create shell moulds
- making replicas of moulds with wax for use in ‘investment’ casting
- pouring molten metal into polystyrene patterns
- making moulds from heat resistent materials
- bonding silica gel with ceramic powders to produce castings
Working environment
You could work in a foundry workshop.
Your working environment may be hot and physically demanding.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
You could move into supervisory management, quality control or engineering design as you get more experience.