These technicians carry out all tasks related to casting, a process where solid metal shapes are produced from moulds.
Overview
This Advanced metal casting, doundry and patternmaking technician apprenticeship standard will provide you with a level 3, qualification. This apprenticeship standard was approved on the 11/10/2018 and typically takes 27 months to complete. However, it is important to note that the duration of the apprenticeship standard stated does not include the End-Point Assessment period.
What the course covers
This apprenticeship has many different routes given the number of processes and stages involved in metal casting, each requiring a skilled technician. Which stage of the process you specialise in will depend on your employer. Apprentices can be employed in companies of all sizes. You could work independently or as part of a team in a laboratory, foundry or workshop.
Metal casting is the process from which solid metal shapes are formed by filling moulds with liquid metal. There are different technician roles at each stage of this process. Some of the daily responsibilities of metal casting, foundry and patternmaking technicians include producing the moulds and prototype castings from 2D/3D drawings, preparing the sand or liquid metal used to fill the mould, maintenance and control of complex automated equipment, and post-production inspection. Inspection and testing are a crucial element to this role as apprentices will learn how to scientifically carry out and record control tests and gather conclusions from the results.
Some of the critical knowledge that apprentices will develop includes the statutory, environmental and quality compliance procedures, how to interpret engineering and manufacturing data, the general Metal casting, foundry and patternmaking scientific and mathematical principles and the structures and properties of everyday materials.
Careers and jobs associated
- Pattern and Model Making
- Methods Development Technician
- Foundry Material
- Process Control Technician
- Foundry Production
- Metal Casting Furnace and Ladle Technician
- Post Casting Technician
- Mechanical Testing and Quality Assurance Technician
Visit the metal casting, doundry and patternmaking technician apprenticeship standard, on the Institute for Apprenticeships site, to find further information on skills and knowledge learnt, assessment methods and more.
