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Toolmaker

Toolmaker spraying lubricant oil on a tool making press

Toolmakers work with different metals, alloys and other materials known as castings to make precision tools and components such as jigs, fixtures, dies, gauges and moulds.

The Work

You could be:

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:

A Modern Apprentice may start on the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The apprentice rate, for those aged under 19 or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship, is £5.28 an hour (1 April 2023). Some employers may pay their apprentices more.

The salary for qualified toolmakers is normally around £10.00 to £16.00 an hour. Bonuses and extra pay for shift work are common.

Conditions

Workforce Employment Status

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Getting In

There are opportunities for toolmakers in a wide range of both heavy and light engineering industries. These include general manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding and the defence industries.

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

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Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland
2022
597
0.5 %
RISE
2027
600
  United Kingdom
2022
11937
0.2 %
FALL
2027
11918

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What Does it Take?

You need to have:

You need to be able to:

Training

Getting On

More Information

The Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA) is the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies.

The Tomorrow’s Engineers website has more information on careers in engineering.

Video

Courtesy of GoMakeIt

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Career Area

Engineering

Career Sectors

Aeronautical Engineering

Chemical and Materials Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Engineering General

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (including Fabrication and Welding)

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Offshore and Energy