Foundry Moldmaker onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: AFS training, Silica safety training (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: rammers; flasks; core boxes; sand testers
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Foundry Moldmaker training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Wear respirators for silica
Lift safely
Use hoists
Follow foundry safety rules
Shadow an experienced foundry moldmaker through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: ram a sand mold
Supervised practice: set a core in a mold
Supervised practice: test foundry sand
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Pack sand molds: independently
Make cores: independently
Set cores: independently
Close molds: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, AFS training)
Discuss the career path: Foundry Laborer → Moldmaker → Lead Molder
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Ram a Sand Mold
Set a Core in a Mold
Test Foundry Sand
Sand molding
Core making
Core setting
Mold repair

How to measure onboarding success

Time to independent work orders
Comeback, rework or scrap rate
Billable or productive hours versus target
90-day retention

How Foundry Moldmaker training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Foundry Moldmaker Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Foundry Moldmaker Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Foundry Moldmaker Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Foundry Moldmaker Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)