Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

AI and automation will increasingly streamline machine operations, potentially reducing the need for direct manual intervention in setup and tending. Workers may shift towards supervisory roles, focusing on monitoring AI-driven systems, predictive maintenance, and quality control, requiring enhanced technical and analytical skills for troubleshooting complex automated processes.