Also called: Bottle Molding Operator, Container Line Operator
Runs machines that inflate hot plastic like a balloon inside a mold to make bottles, jugs and containers.
You watch a machine stretch small plastic 'preforms' that look like test tubes, heat them and blow them into soda bottles thousands of times an hour. You check wall thickness, pull bad bottles and swap molds when the plant switches to a new size.
Uses BLS plastic molding machine operator wages.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High-school diploma; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Shrinking (about -5% over 10 years). BLS projects decline for plastic molding operators overall.
High risk for 10 years. Blow-molding lines run largely automatically with robotic handling; one operator covers many machines.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at plastic bottle plants or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Shop class, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-4072.
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