Next Generation Mold Makers
There’s a quiet urgency rippling through the U.S. manufacturing world: Who will build the tools of tomorrow?
The mold manufacturing industry is vital to everything from automotive to consumer products. As almost everyone knows, we are facing a skilled labor shortage. As veteran mold makers retire, mold manufacturers must look ahead and ask a critical question: Where will the next generation come from?
Who Are the Next Mold Makers?
Most of them will come from Generation Z, the cohort of young people born between 1997 and 2012. This is a generation that’s tech-savvy, purpose-driven, and eager for real-world experience over desk jobs. Many are choosing alternative paths to traditional four-year college degrees, making skilled trades a powerful opportunity.
But they’re not coming to mold manufacturers by default. We’ll need to earn their interest.
What Motivates Gen Z?
To attract Gen Z to careers in mold making, it’s important to understand what they care about:
Hands-on learning – They want to build, fix, and create in the real world.
Clear career paths – They want to know where the job can take them.
Tech integration – CNC machines, CAD software, and automation excite them.
Purpose and impact – They want to know their work matters.
How to Attract and Retain Them
1. Start with awareness.
Most students, and their parents, don’t know what mold making is or that it can be a high-paying, high-tech career. Partner with high schools, trade schools, and community colleges. Host shop tours, give talks, and offer internships.
2. Build modern apprenticeship programs.
The traditional “watch and learn” model needs an upgrade. Structured training with real mentorship, clear progress steps, and competitive wages will go a long way.
3. Create a culture they want to join.
Today’s younger workers value respect, diversity, and a healthy work-life balance. A supportive environment with room to grow is more attractive than one where new hires are thrown in the deep end.
4. Leverage technology in training.
Gamified learning, digital simulations, and hands-on CNC exposure can speed up learning and keep young apprentices engaged.
5. Highlight real success stories.
Showcase young mold makers who’ve built great careers. When students see someone like them succeeding, the trade becomes real.
Time Is Not on Our Side
The skilled trades gap is growing. According to industry reports, thousands more of toolmakers will retire in the next decade, with too few trained professionals ready to take their place. If mold manufacturers wait, it may be too late.
This is more than a workforce issue, it’s a national competitiveness issue. The ability to build precision tooling is a strategic advantage. And it starts with people.
Let’s Build the Future
At Diemaster, we believe the future of American manufacturing depends on the next generation of mold makers. That’s why we support training, mentorship, and outreach to grow the skilled trades workforce.
Because when we invest in people, we invest in what matters most: a stronger, smarter manufacturing future.
