Occupation Profile	Find Related Content... Tools and Technology Fastest-Growing Most Openings Largest Employment Declining Employment Highest-Paying Compare Local Wages Compare Metro Wages Compare Employment Trends Industry/Occupation Trends Occupation Outlook Certification Finder Job Bank and Portal Links Employer Locator Employability Checkup

Occupation Description

Lay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces, such as sheets, plates, tubes, structural shapes, castings, or machine parts, for further processing. Include shipfitters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Lay-Out Workers, Metal and Plastic.

Knowledge:

• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Skills:

• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Abilities:

• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Source: Occupational Information Network: Lay-Out Workers, Metal and Plastic.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Lay-Out Workers, Metal and Plastic.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Add dimensional details to blueprints or drawings made by other workers.
• Apply pigment to layout surfaces, using paint brushes.
• Brace parts in position within hulls or ships for riveting or welding.
• Compute layout dimensions, and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly.
• Design and prepare templates of wood, paper, or metal.
• Fit and align fabricated parts to be welded or assembled.
• Inspect machined parts to verify conformance to specifications.
• Install doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
• Lay out and fabricate metal structural parts such as plates, bulkheads, and frames.
• Lift and position workpieces in relation to surface plates, manually or with hoists, and using parallel blocks and angle plates.
• Locate center lines and verify template positions, using measuring instruments such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators.
• Mark curves, lines, holes, dimensions, and welding symbols onto workpieces, using scribes, soapstones, punches, and hand drills.
• Plan and develop layouts from blueprints and templates, applying knowledge of trigonometry, design, effects of heat, and properties of metals.
• Plan locations and sequences of cutting, drilling, bending, rolling, punching, and welding operations, using compasses, protractors, dividers, and rules.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities:

• compute production, construction, or installation specifications
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
• load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
• make independent judgment in assembly procedures
• measure and mark reference points or cutting lines on workpieces
• measure, weigh, or count products or materials
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• plan or organize work
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read technical drawings
• recognize characteristics of metals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment

Source: Occupational Information Network: Lay-Out Workers, Metal and Plastic.

Tools and Technology

No Tools and Technology information is available for the selected occupation. Try the Tools and Technology section to view other occupations with Tools and Technology information.

Related Occupation Profiles
Occupations with similar skill requirements

• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
• Semiconductor Processors
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
• Tool and Die Makers

Web Resources

Assemblers and Fabricators
Food Processing Workers
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers
Other Production Occupations
Plant and System Operators
Printing Workers
Supervisors, Production Workers
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers
Woodworkers

• Airplane Assemblers, Learn More Resource Center
• Assemblers and Fabricators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Electronic-Component Processors, California Occupational Guide
• Electronics Assemblers (Includes Precision Assemblers), California Occupational Guide
• Fiberglass Lay-Up Workers (Laminators), California Occupational Guide
• Metal Workers, Fabrication and Structural (Field and Shop Ironworkers), California Occupational Guide

• Bakers, Job Futures
• Bakers and Production Workers (Manufacturing), California Occupational Guide
• Bakers, Bread and Pastry, CareerZone
• Butcher, Future Farmers of America
• Butchers and Meat Cutters, California Occupational Guide
• Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers - Retail and Wholesale, Job Futures
• Food Processing Occupations, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Meat Cutter, Future Farmers of America
• Retail Baker, California Occupational Guide

• Computer Control Programmers and Operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Foundry Occupations, California Occupational Guide
• Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders--Metal and Plastic, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Machinist, Princeton Review
• Machinists, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Machinists and Tool Programmers, California Occupational Guide
• Materials Engineers, CareerZone
• Numerical Control Machine Operators, California Occupational Guide
• Plastics Manufacturer, Princeton Review
• Tool and Die Makers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Tool and Die Makers, California Occupational Guide
• Tool Designers, California Occupational Guide
• Tool Grinders, Learn More Resource Center
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, California Occupational Guide
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Automotive Painters, California Occupational Guide
• Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Chemical equipment operators and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Cutters and trimmers, hand, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Dental Lab Technician, Princeton Review
• Dental Laboratory Technicians, California Occupational Guide
• Dental Laboratory Technology, American Dental Association
• Enologists and Wine Makers, California Occupational Guide
• Etchers and engravers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers, Learn More Resource Center
• Grinding and polishing workers, hand, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Helpers--production workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers, Learn More Resource Center
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, Learn More Resource Center
• Medical, Dental, and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Motion Picture Projectionists, Learn More Resource Center
• Nondestructive Testers, California Occupational Guide
• Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians, California Occupational Guide
• Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians, Learn More Resource Center
• Optical Instrument Assemblers, CareerZone
• Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Painting and Coating Workers, Except Construction and Maintenance, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Photofinishing Occupations, California Occupational Guide
• Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Production and Material Coordinators, California Occupational Guide
• Production and Planning Clerks, Learn More Resource Center
• Production Planners, California Occupational Guide
• Semiconductor Processors, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Tire builders, Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Chemical Plant and System Operators, Learn More Resource Center
• Chemical plant and system operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Gas plant operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Gas Plant Operators, Learn More Resource Center
• Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Power Plant Operators, California Occupational Guide
• Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers, Learn More Resource Center
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators, California Occupational Guide
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Tire Builders, Learn More Resource Center
• Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, California Occupational Guide

• Bookbinders and Bindery Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Commercial Printing Press Operators, California Occupational Guide
• Copy Machine Operators, Learn More Resource Center
• Desktop Publishers, Learn More Resource Center
• Prepress Technicians and Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Printer, Princeton Review
• Printing Machine Operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Printing Press Machine Operators and Tenders, CareerZone

• Enologists and Wine Makers, California Occupational Guide
• First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Food Processing Supervisor, Future Farmers of America
• Power Plant Manager, Princeton Review
• Production Manager, Princeton Review
• Quality Control Manager, Princeton Review

• Drapery Occupations, California Occupational Guide
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers, California Occupational Guide
• Laundry Workers, California Occupational Guide
• Sewing Machine Operators, California Occupational Guide
• Shoe and Leather Workers, Learn More Resource Center
• Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers, Learn More Resource Center
• Textile Manufacturer, Princeton Review
• Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Occupations, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Upholsterers, California Occupational Guide

• Cabinetmakers, California Occupational Guide
• Sawmill Occupations, California Occupational Guide
• Woodworkers, Occupational Outlook Handbook