Forge Shop Workers

High school and vocational school courses in electronics, machining, and metal shop can be valuable both as a way of testing interest in metalworking activities and as practical experience. Occasionally, students may be able to find part-time or summer jobs as helpers in shops where forging or other metalworking is done. Even if a job cannot be arranged, it may be possible to tour a local forge shop and observe workers in this field on the job. Additionally, visit https://www.foxvalleyforge.com/about-drop-forging/glossary for a glossary of forging terms.

Talk with forge shop workers about their careers. Suggested interview questions include: What made you want to enter this career? What type of tools and equipment do you use to do your work? What do you like most and least about your job? How did you train for this field? What are some key skills for success? What advice would you give to young people about preparing for the field and being successful on the job? How will advances in technology change the field? Perhaps you could even job-shadow a forge shop worker to learn even more about the field. Ask your school counselor and shop teacher to help arrange these learning opportunities.