TS 12634

TS 12634 is a vocational standard for the foundry worker occupation, defining how people who perform this job at different levels are identified and classified. It also frames the minimum tools and equipment used in foundry work, the characteristics expected from each class of worker, and the criteria used to measure and evaluate those characteristics. In other words, it links occupational role definition with technical competence in foundry practice.

The technical context of foundry work

Foundry work is based on pouring molten metal into a mould so it solidifies into the required shape. In general technical terms, the occupation involves raw material preparation, melting, mould and core making, pouring, cooling, cleaning, and surface finishing. A founder’s role is not limited to pouring metal; it also requires understanding how metals behave, how the moulding system works, and how process control affects the result.

Main elements covered by the standard

• Definition and classification of the people performing the occupation
• Minimum tools and equipment used in foundry work
• Required occupational characteristics and competence for each class
• Measurement criteria and evaluation principles for those characteristics

This standard provides a common framework for vocational training, personnel selection, and competence assessment. It clearly positions the basic knowledge, skills, and behavioral attributes expected from people working in foundry operations, while the practical details may vary according to the casting method and workplace organisation. The standard serves as a structured reference for the core profile of the occupation.