How to become a metal moulder or coremaker

Official title: Metal moulders and coremakers

Also called: Coremaker, Metal casting moulder

Metal moulders and coremakers make moulds and cores for casting metal.

Main tasks

• Making moulds by hand or using auxiliary machines on a bench for small metal castings, on the foundry floor, or in a pit for large castings
• Making cores for use in metal moulds
• Cleaning and smoothing moulds, core boxes, and repairing surface imperfections
• Moving and positioning work pieces such as mould sections, patterns and bottom boards, using cranes, or signalling others to move work pieces
• Positioning patterns inside mould sections and clamping sections together
• Cutting spouts, runner holes and sprue holes into moulds
• Lifting upper mould sections from lower sections and remove moulded patterns

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: HK$21,000 a month
• About 387,500 people in 2025, and about 403,200 projected by 2028. (+4.1%)
• Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Related jobs

• Structural-metal preparers and erectors
• Welders and flamecutters
• Sheet-metal workers
• Riggers and cable splicers

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Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become a metal moulder or coremaker?

Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a metal moulder or coremaker?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

• Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
• Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
• Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
• International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026