Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
The toolmaking programme provides a nationally recognised qualification that combines practical workplace training with technical knowledge. It equips people with the skills to manufacture precision tooling—such as moulds, dies, gauges, jigs, and fixtures—for industrial production processes. Training covers CAD/CAM design, CNC machining, EDM operations, and the design and fabrication of tools for mass-production applications.
Benefits of this programme
• Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
• A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
• Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses.
• Build skills in CAD/CAM design, CNC and EDM machining for precise tool fabrication
• Ability to produce a range of tooling such as moulds, dies, gauges, jigs, and fixtures for industrial processes
• Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.
Toolmakers make moulds, dies, gauges, jigs, tooling and fixtures for industrial processes. Many common household items such as aerosol cans and plastic bottles are produced from tooling. Tooling is typically used in injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion, and pressure die-casting operations.
Normally an eight-hour day; sometimes working longer may be required.
Work can include design and manufacturing moulds, dies, or casts for mass-production product containers (for example paint and aerosol cans) as well as designing and manufacturing one-off tools needed within an industry.
You'll learn CAD/CAM design programs, and also CNC or EDM machining using computers.
These can be useful from school:
Ideally NCEA Level 2 in:
Apprenticeship
Higher learning
Higher learning
