Program Overview

Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship

The metal fabricator apprenticeship involves making products and components from raw or semi-finished materials by cutting, shaping, and joining sections of metal together. You may also carry out repairs on manufacturing equipment and machinery in addition to welding.

Industry Overview

The fabrication and welding industry is embedded in every aspect of our lives, from the cars we drive to the construction of the buildings we work in. Welding, sheet metal fabrication, and engineering industries require well-trained people capable of operating a broad range of welding equipment in a variety of techniques.

Program Details

Throughout this apprenticeship, you will benefit from a mix of classroom learning and practical work which will teach you how to fuse together different metals using appropriate welding techniques.

Units of Study

Units could include:

• Fabrication welding – manual and automatic
• Fabrication welding – manual plate working
• Preparing and using semi-automatic MIG, MAG, and flux-cored arc welding equipment
• Producing sheet metal components and assemblies
• Preparing and using manual TIG or plasma-arc welding equipment
• Preparing and using metal arc welding equipment

You and your employer will be given the opportunity to select additional units that will help you gain the skills to progress within your organisation.

Career Opportunities

This apprenticeship trains you for a variety of roles such as:

• Fabrication welder
• Sheet metal worker
• Plater
• MIG or TIG welder
• Pipe welder

Entry Requirements

You will need both of the following:

• GCSE English language C or 4 or above
• GCSE Math C or 4 or above

Applicants are also required to successfully complete a series of assessments at the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, as well as an employer recruitment and selection process to secure a place on an apprenticeship programme.

Health Considerations

Many jobs within engineering have components that can impact the physical health of the person carrying them out. Employers and training centres have a duty to carry out risk assessments and reduce hazards by implementing policies and protective equipment. However, a number of conditions can mean that certain jobs within engineering may not always be the best option for you.

If you are interested in the Metal Fabricator apprenticeship and have the following conditions, you will need to discuss your chosen area further:

• Colour blindness
• Dyspraxia
• Asthma
• Epilepsy.