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Metal Making and Treating Process Operatives

Metal making and treating process operatives operate furnaces, ovens and other heating vessels, drawing, rolling, extruding, galvanising, forging and other metal processing equipment to smelt, shape, coat and treat metal and metal products.

Daily Tasks

  • Coats metal parts and articles electrolytically, forms metal articles by electro- and vacuum-deposition, dips and sprays articles with another metal, plastic powder or material and treats articles chemically to produce desired finishes.
  • Operates piercing, extruding, pressing and other metal processing equipment to shape and treat metal or metal articles.
  • Heats metal or metal articles in furnace, allows to cool for a specified time or quenches in brine, oil or water to harden, reduces brittleness and restores ductility.
  • Operates equipment to remove dirt, scale and other surface impurities by immersion in chemical solution.
  • Sets rolling speed, tension and space between rolls, guides the metal to and from rollers, and monitors the rolling process to detect irregularities, and ensure that the gauge and finish match required specifications.
  • Withdraws samples of molten metal for analysis, taps slag from surface of molten metal and directs flow of molten metal into casts.
  • Charges furnace, operates controls to regulate furnace temperature, and adds oxidising, alloying and fluxing agents as required.

£27,126

Entry Level Salary

£35,014.20

Average Salary

£52,501.37

Potential Salary

Number of Jobs

24

Past two years

12

This year

91

7 year projection

What are the key skills for this job?

What course level do I need to study?

Required Level

Requirement Percent

Level 0

18%

Level 1

23%

Level 2

22%

Level 3

27%

Level 4-5 (Higher Education)

5%

Level 6 (Bachelors)

4%

Level 7 (Masters or equivalent)

2%

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