Metal Fabricator
Apprenticeship

Level 3

A Metal Fabricator’s role is to carry out metal fabrication work using things such as rolled steel joists, columns, channels, steel plate and metal sheet etc. The Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship teaches the skills and knowledge required to become a skilled fabricator.

Work for qualified Metal Fabricators can include 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. They 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.

Core Knowledge

Apprentices will learn the following core knowledge:

The importance of complying with statutory, quality, organisational and health and safety regulations
General engineering mathematical and scientific principles, methods, techniques, graphical expressions, symbols formulae and calculations
The structure, properties and characteristics of common materials
The typical problems that may arise within their normal work activities/environment
Approved diagnostic methods and techniques used to help solve engineering problems
The importance of only using current approved processes, procedures, documentation and the potential implications if they are not adhered to
The different roles and functions in the organisation and how they interact
Why it is important to continually review fabrication and general engineering processes and procedures
The correct methods of moving and handling materials
Processes for preparing materials to be marked out
The tools and techniques available for cutting, shaping, assembling and finishing materials.
Allowances for cutting, notching, bending, rolling and forming materials
Describe Pattern development processes, tooling and equipment
Describe Cutting and forming techniques, tooling and equipment
Describe Assembly and finishing processes, tooling and equipment
Inspection techniques that can be applied to check shape and dimensional accuracy
Factors influencing selection of forming process
Principles, procedures and testing of different joining techniques (Mechanised or Manual)
Equipment associated with Manual or Mechanised joining techniques including maintaining equipment in a reliable and safe condition
Consumables used in Manual or Mechanised joining
Effects of heating and cooling metals
Metallurgy associated with joining
Different types of Welds and joints
How to interpret relevant engineering data and documentation

Core Skills

Apprentices will learn the following core skills:

Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements
Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements
Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation)
Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity
Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment
Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment
Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel
Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity
Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location
Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques
Cut and form Metal for the production of fabricated products
Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements
Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity
Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment
Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirement

Entry Requirements

Individual employers are able to set the recruitment and selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. In order to optimise success, candidates will typically have 4 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or equivalent, including Mathematics, English and a Science.