Tool and Die Makers
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Job description
These individuals make, repair, or modify special tools to precise dimensions. They use a variety of metals, alloys, and plastics. They work for:
- Automobile and aircraft manufacturers
- Manufacturers of metals, electrical machinery, and plastics
- Moulding, tooling, and manufacturing shops
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Noise
- Falling objects
Main tasks
Tool and Die Makers
- Read and interpret drawings and technical specifications of tools, dies, prototypes, and models.
- Prepare templates and sketches.
- Choose methods of execution.
- Calculate dimensions.
- Measure metal blocks or castings and make the necessary tracings for their machining.
- Set up, operate, and maintain machines.
- Adjust, assemble, or disassemble parts.
- Ensure that the machined parts meet the requirements.
- Ensure that finished tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures function properly.
- Program numerically controlled machine tools, as required.
Metal Patternmakers
- Machine shape, fit, and mount parts (e.g. moulds) to produce models that fit the specified shape.
- Prepare, shape, and assemble metal, wood, and plastic templates with reference to plans or models.
- Program numerically controlled machine tools as required.
Metal Mouldmakers
- Shape and assemble metal moulds and cores to make plastic injection moulds.
- Program, as required, numerically controlled machine tools.
Advancement and mobility
- Qualified Tool and Die Makers receive a Red Seal endorsement upon successful completion of the Interprovincial Examination.
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
Hourly wage
Not available.Job prospects for 2024-2028
Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Very good
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Non available
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
1,500
All of Québec
na
Gender distribution
All of Québec
Not available.
- 15.4% Female
- 84.6% Male
Not available.
- 15.4% Female
- 84.6% Male
Job types
All of Québec
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
$58,400
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 32613% of jobs
-
NAICS 33213% of jobs
-
NAICS 3339% of jobs
-
NAICS 33648% of jobs
-
NAICS 336 [excluding 3364]8% of jobs
-
Others49% of jobs
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 32613% of jobs
-
NAICS 33213% of jobs
-
NAICS 3339% of jobs
-
NAICS 33648% of jobs
-
NAICS 336 [excluding 3364]8% of jobs
-
Others49% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
AVS in usinage sur machines-outils à commande numérique
Code : 5224
Placement rate: 88.1%
9.8% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
Tool and Die Makers
- A four- or five-year Tool and Die Maker apprenticeship program may be required.
- A Certificate of Qualification may be required.
Metal Patternmakers and Metal Mouldmakers
- Apprenticeship program in the field usually required.
WAP
This occupation is targeted by Workplace Apprenticeship Programs
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Operations and control
- Quality control analysis
- Critical thought
- Monitoring operations
- Active listening
- Judgment and decision-making
- Equipment selection
Abilities
- Near vision
- Visualization
- Awareness of issues
- Verbal skills
- Classification
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Digital dexterity
- Information organization
- Control accuracy
- Manual dexterity
- Deductive reasoning
- Hand-arm stability
- Selective attention
- Inductive reasoning
- Speech recognition
Knowledge and attributes
- Capacity to work under pressure
- Critical thinking
- Autonomy
- Capacity to adapt
- Capacity to delegate
- Rigour
- Respect standards and regulations
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of mechanics
Interests
- Work with numbers
- Make, build, install
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
Official name of the NOC 72101
Tool and die makers
Job titles
- Toolmakers
- Diemakers
- Metal patternmaker
- Metal mouldmaker
- Tool and die maker
- Tool fitter
- Progressive die fitter
- Die fitter
- Bench die fitter
- Bench stamping die maker
- Die reamer
- Apprentice tool and die maker
- Metal patternmaker apprentice
- Mould maker apprentice
- Journeyman/woman tool and die maker
- Die cutter
- Die cutter - metalworking
- Bench die cutter
- Jewellery die cutter
- Steel-rule die maker
- Jig-bore tool maker
- Carbide tool maker
- Precision tool maker
- Diamond tool maker
- Injection moulding tool and die maker
- Jig maker - metal products manufacturing
- Bench jig maker
- Gauge maker - tool and die
- Die maker
- Die maker - jewellery
- Forging die maker
- Wire-drawing die maker
- Diecast diemaker
- Model maker - tool and die
- Motor vehicle jig builder
- Injection mouldmaker
- Diamond saw maker
- Metal mould maker
- Die finisher
- Stamping die finisher
- Forging die finisher
- Metal mould finisher
- Die sinker
- Die sinker - metalworking
- Jewellery die sinker
- Bench die sinker
- Jig and form maker
- Aircraft jig and tool maker
- Jig maker - die casting and plastic moulding
- Template maker - tool and die
- Jig maker
- Aircraft jig and template maker
- Extrusion die template maker
- Mouldmaker - aircraft
- Mould maker - plastics processing
- Die mouldmaker
- Bench tool maker
- Tool and die preparer
- Tool maintainer
- Tool repairer
- Tool and die repairer
- Die repairer
- Tire mould repairer
Skill type
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
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Last update: January 29, 2026
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