Metal Fabricator (Level 3 Standard)

Welding and fabrication is found in the advanced manufacturing engineering and engineering construction sectors. The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out metal fabrication work using things such as rolled steel joists, columns, channels, steel plate and metal sheet etc.

Work includes manufacturing bridges, oil rigs, ships, petro-chemical installations, cranes, platforms, aircraft, automotive and machinery parts, sheet metal enclosures, equipment supports, and anything that can be fabricated out of metal. Fabricators can work alone or in teams, in factories or on operational sites. Fabricators use a large range of metals including steel, aluminium and titanium at a range of thicknesses from 0.5mm up to over 20mm. The size and weight of the fabrications can range from components that can easily be picked up by hand, to massive structures that require several cranes to manipulate.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with planners, supervisors, inspectors, designers, welders, pipefitters, fitters, machinists, riggers, steel erectors, stores personnel, painters and many others involved in manufacturing, production, maintenance and repair.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the quality and accuracy of their own work whilst ensuring it conforms to a relevant specification such as an engineering drawing or an international standard. Fabricators are also responsible for the health, safety and environmental (HS&E) protection of themselves and others around them.

In order to complete this fabrication Apprenticeship, you will be expected to complete an initial assessment in maths and English to ensure you are at a suitable level to work towards this qualification. To apply for this Apprenticeship, you must have obtained both maths and English at a Grade C (5) or above, prior to enrolment onto this course. Completion of the Fabrication and Welding Level 2 Apprenticeship would reduce the duration of this programme.  

For a comprehensive understanding of this fabrication programme and what it entails, please click here.

This fabrication Apprenticeship is taught at our London Road campus on a day release basis once a week. In addition, you will be visited at your workplace regularly by your assessor, for the duration of your apprenticeship to assess your work performance and review progress with your employer.  You will be required to sit an End Point Assessment, towards the final stages of your programme, to ensure you have obtained the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to do your job effectively.

Typically, this Apprenticeship will take 48 months to complete.

To be an apprentice fabricator you will need an employer who can offer you work and release you for your training. Once you have an employer in place, you can apply online. If after reading this fact sheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop in to one of our Advice Events, ring the Apprenticeship Team on 01743 260400 or email: apprenticeships@shrewsbury.ac.uk