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Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Shape molten glass according to patterns.

What you’d do

  • Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
  • Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
  • 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.
  • Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
  • Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
  • Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
  • Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
  • Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.

Skills that matter

  • Monitoring
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Glass Artist
  • Glass Bender
  • Glassblower
  • Neon Glass Bender
  • Bender
  • Gaffer
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