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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7522

Cooper

A cooper is a person who builds barrels and related products made of segments of wood, such as wooden buckets. The cooper shapes the wood, fits hoops around the segments, and shapes the barrel so that it holds its contents, which today is largely premium alcoholic drinks.

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Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

bend staves

char barrels

manipulate wood

make barrel heads

finish barrels

About cooper

A barrel holds liquid without glue or sealant, which is the main difficulty of the trade. The staves are cut and shaped so that they fit closely when the barrel is drawn together. The cooper bends the barrel staves, works the wood, works from a knowledge of wooden barrel production and uses woodworking tools to reach that fit.

Cutting is exact rather than approximate. The cooper cuts wood and adjusts the cutting size.

The inside of the barrel is part of the product. The cooper chars the barrels, toasting or charring the inner surface, which changes what the wood gives to the liquid stored in it, and cleans the wood surface. For a barrel intended for spirits or wine the treatment of the inside is as much the point of the work as the vessel being watertight.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (14)

wood moisture contentwood moisture contentThe amount of water contained in wood materials. The effect of wood moisture on the size and physical characteristics of the wood. Suitable moisture contents for different uses.woodworking toolswoodworking toolsThe various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.manufacture of wooden barrelsmanufacture of wooden barrelsThe processes involved in the production of wooden barrels such as material selection, shaping, toasting, fitting, planing and sanding.wood cutswood cutsDifferent ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given ...types of woodtypes of woodTypes of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.bend stavesbend stavesUse various techniques to give the wooden planks the desired curve, such as softening the wood in steam tunnels and then replacing the working hoops with stronger hoops.char barrelschar barrelsPlace the barrels in the gas burner where a flame is blasted inside each of them to scorch the interior.manipulate woodmanipulate woodManipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.make barrel headsmake barrel headsUse a machine to punch holes in the staves, insert dowel pins into the holes, place the staves on a guide and press them together. Place the assembled staves in the rounder to obtain a circular shape....finish barrelsfinish barrelsPour water into the barrel to let it cool, replace working hoops with permanent iron hoops using manual techniques and machines, drill a hole on the side and plug it. Fix fittings such as taps and val...adjust cut sizesadjust cut sizesAdjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.sand woodsand woodUse sanding machines or hand tools to remove paint or other substances from the surface of the wood, or to smoothen and finish the wood.clean wood surfaceclean wood surfaceUse a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.assemble barrelsassemble barrelsSelect the shaped wooden planks, place them inside the working iron hoop and put a loose hoop at the top to hold the planks together.
Optional (22) — show
airtight storageairtight storageAirtight storage techniques to prevent the entrance or escape of air or gas and to discourage moisture and vermin intrusion.metalworking toolsmetalworking toolsThe equipment and tools used in metalworking processes, such as welding or soldering torches, saws, deburring files, and metal drills.types of containerstypes of containersThe manufacturing process of different types of containers, such as boilers and pressure vessels, and what they are used for.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.answer requests for quotationanswer requests for quotationMake up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.manipulate metalmanipulate metalManipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.ensure correct goods labellingensure correct goods labellingEnsure that goods are labeled with all necessary labeling information (e.g. legal, technological, hazardous and others) regarding the product. Ensure that labels respects the legal requirements and ad...perform machine maintenanceperform machine maintenancePerform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.sharpen edged toolssharpen edged toolsIdentify dull edges to sharp tools, or any defect in the edge. Use appropriate equipment to safely and effectively sharpen the tool. Maintain and protect sharpened tools. Report irreparable faults to ...tend boring machinetend boring machineTend a boring machine, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.check quality of raw materialscheck quality of raw materialsCheck the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.recognise signs of corrosionrecognise signs of corrosionRecognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.operate thickness planer machineoperate thickness planer machineFeed wood materials into the thickness planer, after which a surfaced board is retrieved. Avoid 'sniping' by using an additional piece of wood with the same thickness.perform minor repairs to equipmentperform minor repairs to equipmentConduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.design objects to be crafteddesign objects to be craftedSketch, draw or design sketches and drawings from memory, live models, manufactured products or reference materials in the process of crafting and sculpting.operate drilling equipmentoperate drilling equipmentOperate a range of drilling equipment, pneumatic as well as electrical and mechanical. Tend drilling equipment, monitor and operate it, according to regulations. Safely and efficiently drill holes usi...apply wood finishesapply wood finishesUse a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.recognise signs of wood rotrecognise signs of wood rotCheck whether a wood element shows signs of rot. Aurally inspect the wood by testing what sound it makes on impact. Check for visual signs of rot.maintain barrelsmaintain barrelsReplace damaged pieces such as rotten planks, barrelheads, and fittings.operate wood sawing equipmentoperate wood sawing equipmentOperate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.store productsstore productsKeep products in a safe place in order to maintain their quality. Ensure the stock facilities meet hygiene standards, regulating temperature, heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a cooper do?

Coopers build barrels and related products made of segments of wood, like wooden buckets. They shape the wood, fit hoops around them, and shape the barrel to hold the product, which contemporarily is usually premium alcoholic beverages.

What skills does a cooper need?

A cooper needs 14 essential skills, including wood moisture content, woodworking tools, manufacture of wooden barrels, wood cuts, types of wood.

Will AI replace cooper jobs?

The AI disruption score for cooper is 23/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: ensure correct goods labelling, order supplies, answer requests for quotation. Most resilient: metalworking tools, manipulate metal, finish barrels.

AI Replacement Risk

23/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills14

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