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Potters, Manufacturing

Under the title Potters, Manufacturing, workers operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products. O*NET rates it as medium preparation, which usually means one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. It leans on operations monitoring, operation and control, and monitoring. One core duty is to operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces. Its interest code is RCA. Realistic leads at 6.9 out of 7, so expect hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, with Conventional next at 3.7. 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

Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.

Main tasks

  • Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
  • Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
  • Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
  • Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
  • Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
  • Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking

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 are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operations monitoring and operation and control.

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 need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

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

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Some College Courses. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Clay Mixer
  • Glazer
  • Jigger Artisan
  • Jigger Machine Operator
  • Jiggerman

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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.