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Foundry mould maker

Alternative titles for this job include Moulder, core maker, foundry castings maker

Foundry moulders make moulds to shape molten metal into castings used to make parts for industry.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£25,000 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 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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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
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • concentration skills
  • 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

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • 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
  • pour molten metal into polystyrene patterns
  • make moulds from heat resistant materials
  • bond 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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could move into supervisory management, quality control or engineering design as you get more experience.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Foundry Engineering Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,646.40 a year Annually
  • Location: Dronfield, Derbyshire
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Engineering Operations Level 2

  • Provider: COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Braintree

NVQ Certificate in Performing Engineering Operations

  • Provider: NEWCASTLE AND STAFFORD COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 17 September 2025
  • Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Find courses near you

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