Onboarding plan

Tool and Die Maker Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)

A practical, printable plan to take a new tool and die maker from first day to full productivity.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Tool and Die Maker 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: NIMS credentials, Apprenticeship completion (as applicable)
  • Prepare equipment and access: manual and CNC mills and lathes; surface and cylindrical grinders; wire and sinker EDM machines; micrometers, height gauges and gauge blocks
  • Assign a buddy or preceptor
  • Enroll the new hire in Tool and Die Maker training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

  • Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
  • Wear eye protection and keep guards in place
  • Lock out presses before working inside dies
  • Lift heavy die sections with hoists
  • Handle coolant and EDM fluids with proper PPE
  • Shadow an experienced tool and die maker 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: surface grind a die section to size
  • Supervised practice: set up a wire EDM cut
  • Supervised practice: try out a repaired die
  • 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.

  • Read blueprints, CAD models and specifications: independently
  • Plan machining sequences for tools and dies: independently
  • Machine components on mills, lathes, grinders and EDMs: independently
  • Heat treat and finish tool steel: 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, NIMS credentials)
  • Discuss the career path: Machinist or Apprentice → Tool and Die Maker → Lead Toolmaker or Mold Designer
  • 90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or taskTrainedObservedSigned off
Surface Grind a Die Section to Size
Set Up a Wire EDM Cut
Try Out a Repaired Die
Precision machining
Wire and sinker EDM
Surface and cylindrical grinding
Blueprint and GD&T reading

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 Tool and Die Maker training maps to this plan

  1. Introduction to the Tool and Die Maker Role
  2. A Day on the Job
  3. Essential Tool and Die Maker Vocabulary
  4. Core Duties and Responsibilities
  5. Common Tasks, Step by Step
  6. Tools, Equipment and Technology
  7. Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
  8. Skills Employers Look For
  9. Launching Your Tool and Die Maker Career
  10. Final Knowledge Check
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