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Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

The occupation Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers covers people who shape molten glass according to patterns. O*NET rates it as some preparation, which usually means a few months to a year of learning on the job. It leans on quality control analysis, monitoring, and speaking. You may also need to heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly. With a code of RCI, this is mostly a job for people drawn to hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Conventional interests also help, rated 5.1 out of 7. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

Shape molten glass according to patterns.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Critical Thinking

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on quality control analysis and monitoring.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Bender
  • Gaffer
  • Glass Artist
  • Glass Bender
  • Glass Block Bender

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.