Careers in Metal Fabrication-What You Need to Know

When you look at that recycling bin cart or that garbage cart, do you think of the person who makes it? Metal fabricators are the professionals who make those products. Are you considering a career in the field of metal fabrication? If you are, you need to know the pros and cons of and the requirements to becoming one.

Metal fabrication is needed to create products from metal such as aluminum and stainless steel. This field requires a skilled metal fabricator, also known as a sheet metal worker or a sheet metal fabricator. As a metal fabricator, you are required to cut sheet metal or use machinery.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Below are the advantages and the disadvantages of being a metal fabricator:

Advantages—

• You do not need to undergo formal training
• You work with your hands
• You get paid while completing our apprenticeship
• There is limited paperwork

Disadvantages—

• You are required to stand for hours
• You have the risk of being injured because of the job’s nature
• Your work tends to be repetitive
• You are required to lift heavy items

Required Education

Metal fabricators work in industries such as electronics, automotive, and aerospace. They are meant to make parts and fit them together with machines and tools based on blueprints. Metal fabricators can also make finished products or assemble components. Remember, metal fabricating involved a high level of attention to detail.

You need to have a GED or a high school diploma to have entry level positions. Metal fabricators may have a technical diploma from a technical or a community school or a one year certificate of a related course. For more advanced metal fabrication, you need to have additional training or an associate’s degree in metal fabrication.

You also need strong math and reading skills. Interpretation of blueprints, knowledge of metallurgy, skill in reading, and skill in welding, are also required. You should also have good communication skills because most metal fabricators need to work with members of their teams.

If you want to know more, check out appalachianmachine.com. Perhaps someday, you will be able to create a garbage cart or a recycling bin cart of your own design.