Forms sand mould and cores for the production of metal castings.

Selects metal stock for job requirements; heats metal in forges and furnaces and hammers, punches and cuts metal using hand tools and machine presses; tempers and hardens finished articles by quenching in oil or water baths or by cooling gradually in air; cuts, trims, shapes and smoothes stock to form mould patterns; fills boxes with sand and sets patterns in place and pours molten metal into moulds, applying refractory paint and positioning cores in moulds.

• Works indoors in engineering foundries.
• Usually works in a large workshop area can often be hot, dusty (iron foundries), dirty and noisy.
• Work spaces need good ventilation to disperse the heat and other by-products of metal moulding activities.
• Metal mould makers will utilise a variety of personal protective equipment especially when working with molten metal (e.g. heavy gloves).

• The physical demand is medium to heavy.
• Standing is constantly required, frequently on concrete floors. Walking is frequently required. Sitting is not required.
• Stretching out and across is frequently required. Twisting of the body or neck is occasionally required.
• Squatting, crouching or kneeling is not a significant component of this job..
• Lifting and carrying is frequently required for transporting moulding boxes, and working with furnaces and molten metal and physical demand is likely to be heavy. The use of trowels to carry and pour containers of molten metal is frequently required.
• Repetitive movements are frequently required especially in the use of hands and arms for holding tools and metal with tongs and other specialised equipment.
• Driving is not required but workers may need to operate fork-lifts as part of their work tasks.
• Employees use a range of foundry hand and power tools and equipment including forges or furnaces, tongs, sand boxes and moulds.
• Bending is occasionally required and is usually coupled with lifting.
• Mental skills necessary include molten metal-handling, practical and organisational skills.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.