Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Skills

• Operations Monitoring

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Operation and Control

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Judgment and Decision Making

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Monitoring

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

• Control Precision

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Manual Dexterity

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Multilimb Coordination

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Reaction Time

  The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

• Near Vision

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

• High school diploma or equivalent
  85 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Post-secondary certificate
  11 %

  Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

• Less than high school diploma
  4 %

Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Getting Information

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Detailed Work Activities

• Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
• Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
• Select production equipment according to product specifications.
• Determine production equipment settings.
• Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.

Work Interests

• Realistic

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.