SOC 2020 code 5212 · Skilled trades occupations

Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations

Whether this occupation can be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa, its going rate, the job titles filed under the code, and the licensed sponsors advertising these jobs.

Skilled Worker rules for SOC 5212

Existing workers only

Since 22 July 2025, Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations (SOC 5212) can only be sponsored for people who were granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules in place before that date and have held it continuously since.

Going rate: £36,700
New entrant rate: £33,400
Major group: 5

Annual salaries for a 37.5-hour week, from Appendix Skilled Occupations (updated 3 Aug 2026).

The going rate in Appendix Skilled Occupations is £36,700 a year for a 37.5-hour week. It applies to people who can still be sponsored in this occupation.

Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker salary rules, when you can be paid less.

Job titles under SOC 5212

The ONS coding index files 210 job titles under this code; the first 200 alphabetically are below. A note in brackets is the setting the title applies to: the same title can sit under another code elsewhere. The code on a certificate of sponsorship follows the job’s duties, so check them with CASCOT or the employer.

Beam and frame erector

Beamer (shipbuilding)

Bolster maker (cutlery)

Bolter (metal trades)

Borer (shipbuilding)

Chain maker (forging)

Chair maker (foundry)

Chipper (shipbuilding)

Coach spring machinist

Coil smith (spring mfr)

Constructional machinist

Constructional plater

Core assembler (foundry)

Core maker (coal mine)

Core maker (metal trades)

Core shop worker (metal trades)

Die casting machinist

Driller (boiler mfr)

Drop stamper (forging)

Expander (boiler mfr)

Fly presser (forging)

Fork splitter (digging fork mfr)

Foundry pattern maker

Frame bender (shipyard)

Frame erector (shipbuilding)

Gas engineer's plater

Gate and railings fitter (iron)

Gear sharpener (mining)

Hand moulder (metal trades)

Hot presser (metal trades)

Hydraulic presser (forging)

Laminated spring maker

Marker (shipbuilding)

Marker-off (boiler mfr)

Marker-off (shipbuilding)

Metal stamper (forging)

Mould maker (foundry)

Mould man (steelworks)

Moulder (chemical mfr)

Moulder (metal trades)

Moulder and coremaker (foundry)

Oil rig worker (oil rig construction)

Ornamental iron worker

Pan smith (salt mfr)

Pipe founder's moulder

Pipe maker (foundry)

Pipe moulder (metal)

Plate moulder (metal)

Plater (chemical mfr)

Plater (construction)

Plater (edge tool mfr)

Plater (metal cutlery mfr)

Plater (metal trades)

Potman (metal mfr: die casting)

Presser (rolling mill)

Puncher (boiler mfr)

Puncher (shipbuilding)

Railway spring maker

Repair worker (coal mine: above ground)

Sample driller (steelworks)

Sand riddler (foundry)

Setter (metal cutlery mfr)

Shaper (clog iron mfr)

Ship-door and collar fixer

Shovel maker (steel)

Spring bender (spring mfr)

Spring fitter (forging)

Spring maker (carriage, wagon mfr)

Spring maker (railway locomotive mfr)

Stamper (galvanised sheet mfr)

Stamper (metal tube fittings mfr)

Stamper (rolling mill)

Test driller (steel)

Sponsors advertising metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations jobs

We have not read an advert we could place in this code since October 2025. We read visa sponsorship adverts from Reed and Adzuna every 4 hours.

From Appendix Skilled Occupations and the Temporary Shortage List (GOV.UK), the ONS SOC 2020 coding index, and job adverts we read and match to the Home Office register. We place an advert in a code from its title, so some adverts may be in the wrong code. Whether a person can be sponsored also depends on their own circumstances. This page is information, not immigration advice. Profile built 7 Oct 2026.

Questions about SOC 5212

Can metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa?

What is the going rate for SOC 5212?

The going rate in Appendix Skilled Occupations is £36,700 a year for a 37.5-hour week. It applies to people who can still be sponsored in this occupation.

Which job titles come under SOC code 5212?

The ONS coding index files 210 job titles under 5212, including aluminium moulder, axle setter, axle straightener, beam and frame erector, beamer, bench moulder, blacksmith, blacksmith-engineer. The employer chooses the code on the certificate of sponsorship from the job's duties, not its title.