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TOOL AND DIE MAKER |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Tool and die makers use precision metal-working machines and hand tools to build and repair special tools, metal moulds and patterns used in manufacturing.
Tool and die makers build, repair and modify custom-made prototypes or special tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, dies, moulds, press tools, and various types of small mechanical devices. Jigs and fixtures are devices that hold work pieces while they are bored, stamped, milled or drilled. Dies are metal forms used to shape metal in stamping and forging operations. Metal moulds are used for moulding plastics.
For a typical project such as making a mould for the mass production of a plastic part, tool and die makers:
Tool and die makers usually work indoors in “tool rooms” or machine shops that are kept relatively clean. They generally work a 40-hour week with some overtime required to meet production schedules. Shift work may be required.
There may be some risk of injury involved in working with power tools and from hazards such as bits of flying metal.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy precision work, making decisions and job security.
To be successful in the trade, tool and die makers need:
Tool and die makers are employed in industries that manufacture metal working machinery, tools and dies, automobiles, aircraft, electrical machinery, fabricated metal products and plastics. Most tool and die makers are employed in central Canada. Employment prospects for tool and die makers are relatively stable but may change with economic conditions.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $20 to $30 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced tool and die makers may advance to supervisory positions. A few become tool designers and/or open their own tool and die shops.
To work as a Tool and Die Maker in Alberta, a person must:
Tool and Die Makers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A tool and die maker who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A tool and die maker who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Tool and die makers who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a tool and die maker is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a tool and die maker in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice tool and die makers earn at least 55 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 percent in the second, 75 percent in the third, and 85 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for tool and die maker apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
- forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
