Stackable Credentials
Credentials for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
24 credential programs ladder toward this occupation. Median wage on completion: $41,230 · projected growth -3.8%. See full occupation profile →
Certificate
Applied General Metallurgy
ASM International
$9,250 cost
Describe how metals behave and why, including why and how they can be formedRecognize how metals can be strengthened by alloying, cold-working, and heat treatmentIdentify how metals can be shaped by casting, forging, forming, machining, or welding, and how these processes can alter propertiesRecognize why metals and alloys are not behaving as expected and how they can be made to behave as neededIdentify what metal or alloy to use for specific combinations of properties
Certification
Autodesk Certified Associate in CAM for Turning
Autodesk
$150 cost
Create and manage a tool library in Fusion 360Recognize workholding requirements for CNC turning applicationsInterpret drawings and prepare models for manufactureConfigure CAM setup including machine, WCS, and spun profile for turningDefine stock options for a CNC turning process in Fusion 360Determine and apply appropriate toolpath strategies for turning operations
Certification
Certified Composites Technician (CCT) - Advanced Composites
American Composites Manufacturers Association
$310 cost
Apply matrix and fiber technologies to correctly mix materials, identify specifications, select reinforcements, and work with advanced resin and thermoplastic systemsInterpret advanced composite design requirements to perform process modeling, understand work instructions, and apply balanced laminate and residual-stress conceptsExecute advanced molding processes to properly handle materials, perform debulks, mix resins, manage working life, and apply vacuum bagging and potting techniquesImplement health and safety practices to ensure safe machining, CNC operations, PPE use, hazard mitigation, and compliance with composite manufacturing standardsApply core material fabrication methods to construct and bond sandwich structures using proper vacuum bagging, co-cure, and co-bonding techniquesManage composite tooling operations to select molds, perform mold care, make tooling repairs, and utilize automated layup and fiber-placement equipment
Certification
Certified Composites Technician (CCT) - Cast Polymer
American Composites Manufacturers Association
$310 cost
Apply fundamental composites and cast‑polymer concepts to understand production processes, materials, molding methods, and the unique characteristics and advantages of cast polymer productsImplement plant‑wide safety practices to ensure safe handling of chemicals, equipment, lifting devices, power tools, and MEKP while maintaining proper housekeeping and hazard controlIdentify cast‑polymer material components to properly select matrices, resins, initiators, additives, coatings, fillers, and specialty materials used across polymer product typesPerform gel‑coat application procedures to prepare molds, apply release agents, control spray systems, calibrate equipment, and ensure quality through proper spraying methods and safety practicesExecute matrix‑casting operations to mix materials, control temperature, apply veining, perform vibration, demold, finish surfaces, troubleshoot systems, and document production processesOperate fabrication equipment to apply plural‑component systems, manage compressed air, use automated casting tools, and maintain calibrated pumps and delivery systems
Certification
Certified Composites Technician (CCT) - Open Molding
American Composites Manufacturers Association
$310 cost
Design cockpit drainage and electric bilge pump systems to ensure efficient water removal and long‑term vessel safetySelect potable water system components to support reliable installation and safe onboard water deliveryMaintain AC and DC electrical systems to ensure dependable operation of batteries,generators,chargers,and invertersInspect engine exhaust,propulsion,steering,and control systems to verify safe operation and compliance with marine standardsService fuel and ventilation systems to ensure safe gasoline and diesel performance and prevent vapor hazardsInstall portable and fixed firefighting equipment to provide compliant onboard fire protection capabilities
Certification
Certified Composites Technician (CCT) - Vacuum Infusion Process
American Composites Manufacturers Association
$310 cost
Apply matrix and fiber technologies to correctly mix materials, identify specifications, select reinforcements, and work with advanced resin and thermoplastic systemsInterpret advanced composite design requirements to perform process modeling, understand work instructions, and apply balanced laminate and residual-stress conceptsExecute advanced molding processes to properly handle materials, perform debulks, mix resins, manage working life, and apply vacuum bagging and potting techniquesImplement health and safety practices to ensure safe machining, CNC operations, PPE use, hazard mitigation, and compliance with composite manufacturing standardsApply core material fabrication methods to construct and bond sandwich structures using proper vacuum bagging, co-cure, and co-bonding techniquesManage composite tooling operations to select molds, perform mold care, make tooling repairs, and utilize automated layup and fiber-placement equipment
Certification
Certified Composites Technician (CCT) - Wind Blade Repair
American Composites Manufacturers Association
$310 cost
Apply fundamental composites and cast‑polymer concepts to understand production processes, materials, molding methods, and the unique characteristics and advantages of cast polymer productsImplement plant‑wide safety practices to ensure safe handling of chemicals, equipment, lifting devices, power tools, and MEKP while maintaining proper housekeeping and hazard controlIdentify cast‑polymer material components to properly select matrices, resins, initiators, additives, coatings, fillers, and specialty materials used across polymer product typesPerform gel‑coat application procedures to prepare molds, apply release agents, control spray systems, calibrate equipment, and ensure quality through proper spraying methods and safety practicesExecute matrix‑casting operations to mix materials, control temperature, apply veining, perform vibration, demold, finish surfaces, troubleshoot systems, and document production processesOperate fabrication equipment to apply plural‑component systems, manage compressed air, use automated casting tools, and maintain calibrated pumps and delivery systems
Certificate
Die Setting Specialist
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Die Setting Technician
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Ferrous Metallurgy
ASM International
$9,250 cost
Identify the mechanical and physical properties of the different types and grades of stainless steelSelect the best alloy for a specific applicationTroubleshoot problems due to corrosion failuresDetermine the best processes to use in the manufacture of stainless steel components
Certificate
Non-Ferrous Metallurgy
ASM International
$9,250 cost
Identify aluminum alloys suited to specific applicationsDescribe key processing parameters that influence structure-property relationshipsIdentify composition and processing interactions that result in final material propertiesSolve routine processing and heat-treating issuesIdentify cost-reduction opportunities that do not negatively impact material and product performanceOutline the history, extraction, and development of titanium and its alloys
Certificate
Press Brake Operator
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Press Brake Specialist
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Roll Forming Operator
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Roll Forming Specialist
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Roll Forming Technician
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Slide Forming Operator
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Slide Forming Specialist
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Slide Forming Technician
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Spinning Operator
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Spinning Specialist
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Spinning Technician
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Stamping Operator
NIMS
Document operations in metalforming processesDocument setup procedures in metalforming processesMaintain lubrication on metalforming equipmentPerform routine maintenance on metalforming equipmentLoad materials for metalforming equipment operationsLoad parts for metalforming equipment operations
Certificate
Welding Metallurgy
ASM International
$9,250 cost
Intelligently select the appropriate welding process for a particular applicationDescribe the basic metallurgy of the melted and heat-affected zone of a metal or alloyIdentify the cause of and avoid weld defectsChoose or adjust welding parameters and techniques to optimize weldment propertiesUnderstand the inspection process techniquesIdentify design basics to avoid poor weld applications