This document, which is intended to serve as a guide for work force preparation program providers, details the Illinois occupational skill standards for programs preparing students for employment in jobs in the plastics molding industry. Agency partners involved in this project include: the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The document begins with a brief overview of the Illinois perspective on occupational skill standards and credentialing, the process used to develop the skill standards, and assumptions underlying the standards. Presented next are skill standards for 22 tasks typically performed by individuals employed in occupations in the plastics molding cluster. Each skill standard statement contains the following components: (1) the actual skill standard (including the conditions of performance, work to be performed, and performance criteria); (2) performance elements; and (3) performance assessment criteria. The following are among the tasks for which skill standards are provided: (1) maintaining a safe working environment; (2) handling various materials used in plastics molding; (3) using specific processing techniques (adjusting machine control parameters; troubleshooting; documenting process control changes; reporting shift production problems); (4) verifying part quality; and (5) performing secondary operations. Appended are the following: a glossary; lists of Illinois Occupational Skill Standards and Credentialing Council, Manufacturing Subcouncil, and Plastics Molding Skill Standards Development Committee members; and a list of necessary workplace skills. (MN)