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Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

SOC 51-9195.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers hands-on molding, shaping, and casting operations in a Job Zone 2 production environment, spanning rubber, ceramic, and related non-metal/non-plastic materials from entry-level tool use through facility-wide process leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Work orders and part drawings — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify which product sections require molding or shaping.
  2. Mold components and raw materials — locate and stage at the workstation following verbal or written instructions from a lead operator.
  3. Basic hand tools such as scrapers and knives — use under close guidance to trim excess flash from freshly cast rubber or ceramic parts.
  4. Mold surfaces and cavities — inspect visually for obvious defects or contamination before each production cycle with supervisor support.
  5. Arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity — apply when positioning workpieces into molds under direct oversight on the production floor.
  6. Safety protocols for molding equipment — follow consistently as instructed, including PPE requirements and lockout/tagout procedures.
  7. Finished castings — compare against a physical sample or template to confirm general dimensional conformance with guidance from a trainer.
  8. Production quantities and completed units — record on paper logs or basic spreadsheet templates as directed by the shift supervisor.
  9. Oral instructions from lead operators — receive, confirm understanding, and carry out routine molding and casting tasks without independent deviation.
  10. Band saw and trimming equipment — operate at introductory level for straight cuts on excess material under step-by-step supervision.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Work orders and part specifications — read independently and translate into setup decisions for assigned molds across a full production shift.
  2. Scrapers, knives, and band saws — select and apply the appropriate tool to trim or remove excess material from castings with minimal rework.
  3. Mold temperature, pressure, and cure time parameters — monitor and adjust within established ranges to maintain consistent part quality.
  4. Minor surface defects in molded parts — identify using near vision inspection and apply approved corrective actions without escalating every instance.
  5. Multilimb coordination — demonstrate when simultaneously controlling mold halves, material feeds, and hand tools during routine casting cycles.
  6. Inventory management software — use to record material usage and flag low-stock conditions for rubber, ceramic slip, or other casting media.
  7. Production schedule requirements — meet daily output targets by organizing workload and managing cycle times across multiple mold cavities.
  8. Finished parts — sort and segregate into conforming and nonconforming bins based on established visual and dimensional acceptance criteria.
  9. New crew members at a similar level — provide informal guidance on correct tool handling and trimming technique during shared shifts.
  10. Repeat defect patterns across a batch — recognize and report to the supervisor with supporting observations to prompt process adjustments.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex work orders involving multi-section assemblies — interpret autonomously, determining optimal molding sequence and tooling setup without supervisor input.
  2. Full trimming and finishing operations — execute across the complete range of materials including rubber, plaster, and ceramic using scrapers, knives, and band saws.
  3. Mold wear, misalignment, and parting-line flash — diagnose root causes and implement corrective adjustments to molds and process parameters independently.
  4. Control precision — apply consistently when setting cure pressures and temperatures to achieve tight-tolerance parts on the first production run.
  5. CAD and CAM software — use to review digital part models and verify that mold configurations match design intent before production commences.
  6. Inductive reasoning — apply to isolated quality incidents, drawing generalizable conclusions about process drift or material variation across production runs.
  7. Cross-functional communication with engineers and quality staff — convey molding process observations clearly using written reports and electronic mail.
  8. Selective attention — sustain across extended production runs to detect subtle dimensional or surface-finish deviations before they propagate through a batch.
  9. Time accounting and production tracking software — maintain accurate records of cycle times, downtime events, and yield rates to support process improvement.
  10. Unusual or non-routine casting geometries — develop and validate effective trimming and finishing approaches through systematic trial on the shop floor.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Production and processing knowledge — apply at an organizational level to design molding workflows that maximize throughput and minimize scrap across the facility.
  2. Work order interpretation standards and quality acceptance criteria — author and communicate so that all operators apply consistent judgment across shifts.
  3. CAD/CAM toolpaths and mold specifications — review and approve before release to production, integrating mechanical knowledge to prevent downstream defects.
  4. Capital equipment selection for trimming and casting operations — evaluate and recommend, balancing capability, cost, and workforce skill level.
  5. Mentorship of developing and emerging molders — lead structured on-the-job training programs that build manual dexterity, tool selection, and process knowledge.
  6. Recurring quality and yield data — analyze using spreadsheet and reporting tools to identify systemic process gaps and sponsor targeted improvement projects.
  7. Inventory management systems and supplier relationships — oversee to ensure uninterrupted supply of casting media, release agents, and tooling components.
  8. Safety culture and compliance standards for molding operations — champion across the department, translating regulations into daily practices and audit readiness.
  9. Cross-departmental production goals — negotiate and align with engineering, quality, and scheduling leadership to set realistic and achievable output targets.
  10. Organizational molding capability — benchmark against industry standards and drive adoption of updated techniques, materials, or digital tools to sustain competitive performance.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

The Anthropic Economic Index (2026-03-24 release) doesn't show enough AI-assisted task observations for this occupation to anchor an AI-at-Work Competency Framework yet. Most physical and on-site occupations land here today; that signal may rise as more workers in this field adopt AI tools.

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Related titles
Rubber-Mold Maker · Adobe Block Maker · Adobe Maker · Almond Paste Molder · Artificial Candy Maker · Batter Out · Bed Laborer · Bit Gatherer · Block Maker · Blower · Bow Maker · Broom Maker
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0129 · Rubber-Mold Maker
O*NET skills
Operation and Control
Knowledge domains
Production and ProcessingMechanical
Abilities
Arm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityFinger DexterityControl PrecisionNear VisionOral ComprehensionSelective AttentionMultilimb CoordinationInductive ReasoningInformation Ordering
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityCautiousnessPerseveranceIntegrityAchievement Orientation
Technology
Computer aided design CAD softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareInventory management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareTime accounting software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.
  2. Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws.
CIP education codes
52.020547.060747.060847.060947.061548.0503

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.