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Foundry moulder

Alternative titles for this job include Foundry worker, core maker, foundry castings maker

Foundry moulders create moulds and castings to make parts and components for use in industry and manufacturing.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You can do an engineering course at college, which will give you some of the skills you need to find a trainee job in a foundry. 

Courses include:

  • engineering operations
  • skills for engineering and manufacturing
  • engineering and technology

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Engineering Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Metal Casting and Foundry Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply to foundries for work if you've got experience in engineering, factory production or metal fabrication.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers for professional development training and to make contacts in the industry.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • 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

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a foundry moulder, you would:

  • mix sand and clay to make moulds
  • inject resin into sand to create shell moulds
  • make replicas of moulds with wax for use in 'investment' casting
  • control settings on furnaces
  • pour molten metal into moulds to create castings
  • clean castings using shot blasting machinery and power tools
  • inspect the quality of castings ready for finishing

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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team leader, or move into supervisory management or quality control.

With further training, you could switch to other areas of engineering, like welding, metal fabrication or industrial design.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire

Apprentice CAD Technician

  • Wage: £14,918.80 a year Annually
  • Location: Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Certificate in Engineering Operations (Knowledge)

  • Provider: SHEFFIELD COLLEGE, THE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: SHEFFIELD

Engineering Operations - Level 2

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 September 2026
  • Location: Blackpool
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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