Metal Fabricator marks off and fabricates structural steel and other metal stock to make or repair metal products and structures such as boilers and pressure vessels.
Metal Fabricators work in workshops or production areas that can be noisy, hot and dusty. They usually spend most of their day standing and often need to bend, crouch or climb. Some may be required to work in confined spaces or at heights, and shift work may be involved. They may work in a team or alone. Workshops are generally spacious, ventilated and well lit. Metal Fabricator must be aware of safety regulations and must wear protective equipment to minimise heat and noise levels, and to guard against corrosive chemicals.
Job duties
The duties of metal fabricator include:
·Studies blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine job requirements.
·Selects, cleans and prepares metal stock.
·Cuts marked out metal sections and shapes using hand tools, flame cutting torches and metal cutting machines.
·Shapes and bends metal sections and pipes using hand and machine tools, and by heating and hammering.
·Aligns parts to be joined using hand tools and measuring instrument.
·Joins metal sections using various welding techniques, bolting and riveting.
·Examines welds for width of bead, penetration and precision.
·Cleans and smoothes welds by filing, chiselling and grinding.
Employment Status
Metal fabricators work for engineering and construction firms, motor vehicle and other manufacturers, the minerals industry, shipyards, and electricity and gas supply authorities. Some are employed by federal, state or territory government departments, or local government authorities. They may work in metropolitan areas, large regional industrial centres, and on remote mining and processing projects. Job opportunities depend on the level of local and overseas demand for Australian-manufactured goods and for minerals and energy products, the rate of technological change, and the number of new projects in heavy engineering, mining or steel construction. With experience and further study, competent metal fabricators can upgrade their qualifications to technician, associate, technologist or engineer level.
TheEmployment Facts of Metal Fabricators in Australia:
Future Growth: Stable
Full-Time Share: 93%
Average full-time: 47
Weekly Pay: $1,541
Employment by state:
ACT: 0.4%
NSW: 23.2%
NT: 1.9%
QLD: 26.9%
SA: 7.4%
TAS: 2.5%
VIC: 17.4%
WA: 20.2%
Educational requirement
To become a metal fabricator, you usually have to complete an apprenticeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Education level:
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.2%
Bachelor degree: 1.4%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 2.7%
Certificate III/IV: 80.1%
Year 12 and below: 15.6%
Related Courses:
Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, Certificate IV in Engineering etc
https://joboutlook.gov.au/occupations/structural-steel-and-welding-trades-workers?occupationCode=3223
