Fabricating

Career information

What do they do?

Fabricators work with metals. They make steel parts and structures: from kitchen sinks (light fabrication) to steel tanks (heavy fabrication) or even skyscrapers (steel construction fabrication). They are also called sheet metal workers, steel construction workers, boilermakers and fitter-welders.

A typical day

Normally an eight-hour day: sometimes working longer may be required. 

Fabrication work is varied and can include working with metals to create specific products, working from design engineers' drawings, measuring, cutting, bending and welding metals, and testing the finished products.

Training is tailored to the type of work you do: heavy fabrication, light fabrication or steel construction.

Sound like you?

Study areas
  • English or Media or History.
  • Maths or Accounting or Economics.
  • Sciences or Workshop Technologies.
  • Computing or ICT or Information Management.
Attributes
  • Reasonable strength and fitness.
  • Confidence with IT, computers, technology.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Good work habits/time management.
Helpful experience
  • Analysing, researching or problem-solving.
  • Making or fixing things.
  • Working with machinery.
  • Working with computers.
Preferred work environments
  • Indoors (workshop or plant).
  • Outdoors.
  • Different places from time to time.

Pathway

School

These can be useful from school:

Ideally, NCEA Level 2 in Maths

  • Science (physics).
  • Technology (metalwork).
  • English.
  • Entry level jobs

    Apprenticeship

    • Fabricator (light, heavy or steel construction).
    Advancing jobs

    Higher learning

    • Specialist Fabricator.
    • Supervisor.
    • Leading Hand.
    • Workshop Supervisor.
    • Welding Supervisor.
    Senior jobs

    Higher learning

    • Foreman.
    • Site Supervisor.
    • Business Manager.
    • Business Owner.

    The logistics sector needs skilled people

    Learn more on the qualifications available.

    Find out more

    Available jobs

    Light Fabrication Apprentice
    Canterbury
    |
    Beststeel Ltd
    Learn more →
    Light Fabrication Apprentice
    Canterbury
    |
    Lysaght Ltd
    Learn more →
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