Recreation model maker

Description

Recreation model makers design and construct recreation scale models from various materials such as plastic, wood, wax and metals, mostly by hand.

Minimum qualifications

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a recreation model maker.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Recreation model maker is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Recreation model maker career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to recreation model maker.

brush maker
doll maker
toymaker
frame maker
router operator

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of recreation model maker. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of recreation model maker with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

prosthetic-orthotics technician
bridge inspector
toys and games shop manager
industrial robot controller
clothing process control technician

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of recreation model maker.

  • Toys and games industry: Types of products available in the games and toys industry and of the major suppliers in the field.
  • Similitude: The theory and art of predicting prototype performance from scale model observations.
  • Toys and games safety recommendations: Safety instructions of games and toys, according to the materials they are composed of.
  • CAD software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
  • Toys and games trends: Latest developments in the games and toys industry.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of recreation model maker.

  • Perform toys finishing: Put the finishing touches to toys such as painting details, adding embroideries or markings, mounting hair, eyes and teeth.
  • Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
  • Ensure quality of final product: Ensure that finished products meet or exceed company specifications.
  • Apply a protective layer: Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.
  • Assemble toys: Fit body parts and accessories together using different tools and techniques depending on the toy materials such as gluing, welding, screwing or nailing.
  • Design scale models: Design imitations of products such as vehicles or buildings which accurately represent the dimensions of the product in a smaller format.
  • Inspect toys and games for damage: Identify damage and cracks in games and toys in the store; take appropriate actions to remedy.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of recreation model maker. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Types of plastic: Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.
  • Types of wood: Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.
  • Metal smoothing technologies: The various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of recreation model maker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Finish plastic products: Finish the product by sanding, branding and polishing the plastic surface.
  • Manipulate plastic: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of plastic.
  • Mark designs on metal pieces: Mark or engrave designs on metal pieces or pieces of jewellery, closely following design specifications.
  • Join metals: Join together pieces of metal using soldering and welding materials.
  • Join wood elements: Bind wooden materials together using a variety of techniques and materials. Determine the optimal technique to join the elements, like stapling, nail, gluing or screwing. Determine the correct work order and make the joint.
  • Manipulate metal: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.
  • Maintain plastic machinery: Maintain machinery and equipment for making plastic goods, to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order. Perform routine maintenance on equipment and adjust when necessary, using hand and power tools.
  • Manipulate wood: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
  • Repair metal sheets: Repair bent or torn sheet metal.
  • Repair plastic machinery: Repair broken components or systems of machinery and equipment used for making plastic products or parts, using hand and power tools.
  • Stain wood: Mix ingredients to create a stain and apply a layer to the furniture to give it a specific colour and finish.
  • Create smooth wood surface: Shave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.
  • Manipulate glass: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.
  • Sand wood: Use sanding machines or hand tools to remove paint or other substances from the surface of the wood, or to smoothen and finish the wood.
  • Operate plastic machinery: Operate machines and equipment used for creating plastic parts and products such as injection, extrusion, compression or blow moulding machines.
  • Cut metal products: Operate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.
  • Fabricate metal parts: Fabricate metal parts, using equipment such as drill presses and engine lathes.
  • Sell toys and games: Sell and provide information and advice on a wide range of toys and games, taking into account different age groups.
  • Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
  • Operate wood sawing equipment: Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.

ISCO group and title

7522 – Cabinet-makers and related workers


References
  1. Recreation model maker – ESCO
Last updated on October 13, 2022

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