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MOLDERS, SHAPERS, AND CASTERS, EXCEPT METAL AND PLASTIC

Occupation Description:

Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.

Specialized Occupations:

Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing (ONET code: 51-9195.03)

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers (ONET code: 51-9195.04)

Potters, Manufacturing (ONET code: 51-9195.05)


	Occupation Description:

	Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.


	Typical Tasks:

	Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces. Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns. Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs. Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner. Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels. Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry. Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.


	Knowledge:

	Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.. Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.. Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.. Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.. Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m. Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.. Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems..

Typical Tasks:

Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.
Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws.
Brush or spray mold surfaces with parting agents or insert paper into molds to ensure smoothness and prevent sticking or seepage.
Engrave or stamp identifying symbols, letters, or numbers on products.
Assemble, insert, and adjust wires, tubes, cores, fittings, rods, or patterns into molds, using hand tools and depth gauges.
Clean, finish, and lubricate molds and mold parts.
Separate models or patterns from molds and examine products for accuracy.

Search for Jobs on CareerOneStop:

	Search for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic Jobs
	Search for Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing Jobs
	Search for Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers Jobs
	Search for Potters, Manufacturing Jobs

(Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)

Education & Training:

Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months)

Wage Information:

Region	Average Annual	Average Hourly	Entry Level (hourly)	Mid-Range (hourly)
Statewide	$49,148.00	$23.63	$17.71	$19.32 - $25.02
Bridgeport/Stamford	$60,931.00	$29.30	$21.43	$25.44 - $36.91
Hartford	$47,855.00	$23.01	$19.18	$19.57 - $25.02
New Haven	$45,093.00	$21.68	$16.76	$17.14 - $24.48

Not sure which Region applies to you?
Select a town to see its region highlighted in the table above:

Occupation Outlook:

Region	Employment		Average Annual Growth Rate	Average Annual Job Openings
Region	2022	2032	Average Annual Growth Rate	Average Annual Job Openings
State of Connecticut	180	200	0.1%	26

Chart of Growth Rate and Annual Openings

Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

Key:

N/A = Not Applicable, ***** = Over $60.00 per hour, ##### = Over $124,821

Similar Occupations:

State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109