Toolmaker

Typical Salary

£15,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

44 to 46 a week

between 8am and 6pm on shifts

How To Become a Toolmaker

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / University

You could start by doing a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need in this job. Courses include:

Level 1 Certificate in Engineering Technologies
Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Operations
Level 2 Diploma in Engineering

2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You can complete an engineering operative intermediate apprenticeship or an engineering technician advanced apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You can start as an engineering operative in a workshop or factory and do further training on the job to specialise in toolmaking.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
knowledge of engineering science and technology
design skills and knowledge
knowledge of maths
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to analyse quality or performance
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

working with 2D and 3D computer-aided design and manufacturing software (CAD/CAM)
marking out tool designs on a 'stock' or casting following engineering plans
cutting and shaping tools with lathes, presses and cutting machines
entering settings into computer controlled machines
checking dimensions with measuring instruments like micrometers
carrying out basic machine maintenance

Working Environment

You could work in a factory or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be noisy.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

You could become a workshop supervisor, train to carry out machine maintenance or move into quality control.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in engineering from Tomorrow's Engineers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.