The craft of casting and moulding is almost as old as the discovery of metals themselves. From steam trains to modern airliners almost everything that has been manufactured contains some cast metal products.

Components of all shapes and sizes require skilled, precision construction of timber and metal patterns and sand moulds.

As a Patternmaker you will use computer aided design (CAD) equipment and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machinery to design and make patterns using wood, polystyrene, metal, polymer and other materials.

As a Casting Fabricator or Moulder, you will fashion moulds and cast metal into shapes for a wide range of components such as engine blocks, automotive components, train bogeys, stove parts, pumps and wheels. You will use patterns and mix chemically bonded sand to form moulds, tend the furnace and operate automated moulding equipment.

This can be physical and challenging work. Skilled patternmakers can be highly paid because of the specialised nature of their trade.