Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $25K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $29K
Median Salary: $35K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $43K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $53K
Demand
Core Tasks
Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
Blow tubing into specified shapes to prevent glass from collapsing, using compressed air or own breath, or blow and rotate gathers in molds or on boards to obtain final shapes.
Operate electric kilns that heat and mold glass sheets to the shape and curve of metal jigs.
Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.
Set up and adjust machine press stroke lengths and pressures and regulate oven temperatures, according to glass types to be processed.
Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans' hand tools and equipment.
Place electrodes in tube ends and heat them with glass burners to fuse them into place.
Operate and maintain finishing machines to grind, drill, sand, bevel, decorate, wash, or polish glass or glass products.
Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
Repair broken scrolls by replacing them with new sections of tubing.
Superimpose bent tubing on asbestos patterns to ensure accuracy.
Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
Place rubber hoses on ends of tubing and charge tubing with gas.
Strike necks of finished articles to separate articles from blowpipes.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Production and Processing
77%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Design
75%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mechanical
65%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
63%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Engineering and Technology
63%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
62%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
61%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
60%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Building and Construction
58%
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Personnel and Human Resources
55%
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Top 10 Skills
Operation and Control
68%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring
68%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
68%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Monitoring
65%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
60%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
60%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
60%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Learning
58%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving
55%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making
55%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Top 10 Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness
78%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Near Vision
78%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Control Precision
75%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Reaction Time
75%
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Manual Dexterity
73%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Visual Color Discrimination
73%
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Visualization
73%
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Finger Dexterity
70%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Rate Control
70%
The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Selective Attention
70%
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
88%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Controlling Machines and Processes
82%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
71%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
70%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
70%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Handling and Moving Objects
69%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities
65%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
63%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
62%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
60%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Detailed Work Activities
Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.
Weigh finished products.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Record operational or production data.
Place materials into molds.
Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.
Shape glass or similar materials.
Operate heating or drying equipment.
Select production input materials.
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Design jewelry or decorative objects.
Melt metal, plastic, or other materials to prepare for production.
Operate grinding equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Replace worn equipment components.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Create diagrams or blueprints for workpieces or products.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Work Context
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Education
Interests
Realistic
96%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
72%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Artistic
62%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Investigative
43%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
29%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
15%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
84%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
78%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
78%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
75%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence
74%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Cooperation
73%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control
73%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Achievement/Effort
71%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
71%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
70%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Work Values
Relationships
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
41%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
