Metal Casting, Forging & Finishing Trades

ANZSCO ID 3221

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
170
Future Growth
6%
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
75%
Female Share
5%
Average age
44

Summary

Metal Casting, Forging and Finishing Trades Workers fabricate mould patterns and form sand moulds and cores for the production of metal castings, heat and hammer metal into shape, and make, repair, coat and polish metal parts and articles.

Tasks

  • selecting metal stock for job requirements

  • heating metal in forges and furnaces and hammering, punching and cutting metal using hand tools and machine presses

  • tempering and hardening finished articles by quenching in oil or water baths or by cooling gradually in air

  • preparing electrolytic and silver solutions for electroforming, and applying solution to the objects to be coated

  • setting and adjusting controls to regulate electric current and depositing of coating on objects

  • preparing horses' hooves for shoeing, nailing horseshoes to hooves, and trimming hooves

  • cutting, trimming, shaping and smoothing stock to form mould patterns

  • filling boxes with sand and setting patterns in place, and pouring molten metal into moulds

  • applying refractory paint and positioning cores in moulds

  • finishing metal and articles by polishing and buffing and applying shellac, lacquer, paint and other finishes

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Below average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Light
  • Medium
  • Heavy
  • Very Heavy

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:

  • is expected to grow moderately
  • is likely to reach 3,900 by 2026.
  • Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

    Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.

    Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.

Projected Change
6%
(or 200 jobs)
From
3,700
in 2021
To
3,900
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 1,300
2012 2,400
2013 3,200
2014 2,300
2015 2,600
2016 1,500
2017 4,300
2018 2,600
2019 4,700
2020 2,300
2021 3,700
2026 3,900

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 77% of people employed as Metal Casting, Forging & Finishing Trades work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 11 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.

    Median hourly earnings are $36, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

    Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.


Industries

Main industries

1
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
48.6%
2
Manufacturing
42.9%
3
Mining
5.7%
4
Arts and Recreation Services
2.9%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

27.6% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

27.5% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

21.4% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

8.5% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

12.6% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.6% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.5% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.4% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Metal Casting, Forging & Finishing Trades All Jobs Average
NSW 27.6 31.6
VIC 27.5 25.6
QLD 21.4 20.0
SA 8.5 7.0
WA 12.6 10.8
TAS 1.6 2.0
NT 0.5 1.0
ACT 0.4 1.9


  • Around 53% of Metal Casting, Forging & Finishing Trades live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
44
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
5%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Metal Casting, Forging and Finishing Trades is 44 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.

    Females make up 5% of the workforce. This is 43 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.

Age Profile (% Share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Metal Casting, Forging & Finishing Trades All Jobs Average
15-19 2.9 5.0
20-24 6.6 9.3
25-34 18.7 22.9
35-44 23.7 22.0
45-54 25.6 21.6
55-59 9.5 9.0
60-64 7.6 6.0
65 and Over 5.4 4.2
Median Age 44 40

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

Extensive experience or a certificate III or IV in engineering - fabrication trade is needed to work as a Metal Casting, Forging or Finishing Trades Worker.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Automotive Manufacturing Sector, Manufacturing and Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Type of Qualification Metal Casting, Forging & Finishing Trades All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.3 10.1
Bachelor degree 4.0 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 6.3 11.6
Certificate III/IV 46.3 21.1
Year 12 13.8 18.1
Year 11 5.9 4.8
Year 10 and below 23.4 12.5

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.


Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Metal Casting, Forging & Finishing Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 45%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 43%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 43%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 43%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 41%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 41%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 41%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 41%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 39%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 39%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 39%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 37%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 37%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 37%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 34%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 32%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 32%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 32%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 30%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 30%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 63%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 62%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 52%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 51%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 51%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 49%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 45%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 43%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 40%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 39%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 38%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 34%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 33%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 33%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 32%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 31%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 27%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 26%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 24%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 21%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 50%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 48%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 45%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 45%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 45%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 45%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • 45%

    Reaction time

    Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.

  • 45%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 43%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 43%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 43%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 43%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 43%

    Auditory attention

    Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.

  • 43%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 43%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 43%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 43%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 41%

    Rate control

    Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

  • 36%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 80%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 64%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 62%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 53%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 51%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 51%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 49%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 49%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 49%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 47%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 46%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 46%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 46%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 43%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 41%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 40%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 40%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 39%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 36%

    Collecting and organising information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

  • 34%

    Documenting or recording information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.


Interests and demands

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

  • 100%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 62%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 48%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 29%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 14%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 14%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 71%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 48%

    Relationships

    Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

  • 38%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 29%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 29%

    Independence

    Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

  • 29%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 100%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 100%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 95%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 89%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 89%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 89%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 87%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 87%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 84%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 84%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 83%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 81%

    In an open vehicle or equipment

    Work in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).

  • 81%

    Pace of work set by equipment

    Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.

  • 80%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 77%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

  • 76%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 75%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

  • 75%

    Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings

    Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.

  • 74%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 74%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

    Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).

Occupational Information Network
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-4022.00 - Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.


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