Foundry process operator

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

There are no set entry requirements for this route but it may help you to get in if you have:

• 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can complete an engineering operative intermediate apprenticeship or a metal casting and foundry technician advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

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

Further information

You can find out more about careers in the metals industry from the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and Tomorrow's Engineers.

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 work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• concentration skills
• 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

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• controlling the furnaces that melt metal
• putting together wax patterns used in castings
• transferring molten metal from the furnace to moulds
• operating die casting machines
• grinding surplus metal off castings with abrasive wheels
• using shot blasting machinery to clean castings

You could work in a foundry workshop.

Your working environment may be hot and physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.