How Do I Become a Mold Builder?

Mold builders are people who generate objects that are filled with liquid materials such as metal or plastic. They then allow the materials to solidify before removing the new solid in a process known as casting, which is used to create complex shapes for various products. These professionals should have good manual dexterity, be able to solve problems well, and possess solid eyesight. A person who would like to become a mold builder has to complete two years of post-secondary education or pursue four to five years of classroom instruction combined with hands-on training. He or she needs to master various mechanical concepts and hone his or her practical industry skills to excel in this career area.

If you plan to become a mold builder, you have to complete a two-year associate degree designed for aspiring machinists. To get into this type of technical school or community college program, you must turn in your high school transcript along with a completed enrollment application and your high school diploma or the equivalent certification. In addition, your desired training program might ask to see your latest standardized exam results.

Completing an apprenticeship sponsored by a private contractor is an alternative method to enter this industry. This type of training program typically lasts four or five years and provides classroom teaching along with paid, on-the-job education for a person who wishes to become a mold builder. Your wage is expected to increase as you gain more experience. Requirements to become an apprentice typically include having completed high-school level training and completing an admissions form.

A variety of technical courses will prepare you to succeed in this career area. As a student in either the college setting or in an apprenticeship, you should study reading blueprints, designing tools, and working with metal. Mastering these concepts is valuable for someone who seeks to become a mold builder because this type of professional has to develop molds, revise molds according to computer-aided design drafts, and make tool changes as necessary.

Completing field experience is necessary to thrive in this field. A college training program actually might require you to complete an internship before you graduate, while an apprenticeship incorporates practical experiences into its educational program. While working in a real-world setting, you need to hone your skills with amending standards for creating molds, as well as working with designers and engineers to create quality prototypes. You also should sharpen your communication skills and practice lifting heavy objects before you become a mold builder.