SOC 2020 · 5212
Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Not eligible
No Skilled Worker route through this code.
Salary floor
£41,700
The general threshold, £41,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Not listed
This code is on neither the Immigration Salary List nor the Temporary Shortage List.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
ONS has not published enough of the pay distribution for Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations in UK to draw it. The figures we do hold are shown above.
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | — | — | £37,058 | — | — |
| East 2025 | — | — | £33,893 | — | — |
| Yorkshire and The Humber 2025 | — | — | £38,506 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations mark off, drill, shape, position, rivet and seal metal plates and girders to form structures and frameworks operate power hammers and presses to shape heated metal to requirements and to make and repair a variety of metal articles and make moulds and cores for casting metal and pour or inject molten metal into dies.
Typical tasks
examines drawings and specifications to determine operational requirements
marks out metal plate with guidelines and reference points and cuts metal plate using hand or machine tools
uses machine tools to bend, curve, punch, drill and straighten metal plate as required
uses hydraulic jacks to position and align metal platework or frame for welding and bolting and rivets together metal plate and girders
creates mould units out of sand, loam or plaster by hand or machine and fits cores into mould to form hollow parts in casting
seals seams with caulking compound, smooths welds, fixes metal doors, metal collars, portholes, tank and hatch covers and performs other metal plate finishing tasks using a variety of hand and power tools
heats metal for forging and positions heated metal on anvil or other work surface
operates press or hammer and repositions workpiece between strokes
uses forging tools to shape and cut metal and bends or shapes metal by hand forging methods using hammers, punches, drifts and other hand tools
tempers and hardens forged pieces, as required, by quenching in oil or water
fits and secures horses shoes
scoops molten metal from furnace into die or die casting machine
Entry routes and qualifications
Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is usually via apprenticeship including practical experience and technical training. NVQs at levels 2 and 3 are available.