Sheet Metal Fabricator

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
• Assemble products or production equipment.
• Fabricate parts or components.
• Install building fixtures.
• Install green structural components, equipment or systems.
• Install plumbing or piping.
• Install roofing materials.
• Mark reference points on construction materials.
• Position structural components.
• Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.

Typical Working Conditions
People who work in this career often:

• Standing.
• Having face-to-face discussions.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
• Working with a group or team.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Working indoors in non-environmentally controlled conditions.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Frequent decision-making.
• Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
• Responsibility for others’ health and safety.

Tools & Technology used by Sheet Metal Fabricators

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Sheet Metal Fabricators

• Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Mathematics—Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Teaching—Teaching others how to do something.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Managing People—Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Managing Time—Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Sheet Metal Fabricators

• Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Building and Construction—Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Production and Processing—Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing high growth compared to other careers. There will be a need for about 3,123 new Sheet Metal Workers to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least a high school degree, and a few professionals attend some college.

View the local post-secondary education options for this career from Central Lakes College.

Spotlight on Central Lakes College

• Why consider CLC?
• Virtual Campus Tours: Brainerd Campus, Staples Campus
• Learn more about the CLC Honors Program.
• Attend CLC, and you may never need to buy a textbook.

If you have a physical, mental, developmental, or cognitive condition that requires educational support, learn about support options at CLC.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Accounting
• Algebra I and II
• Blueprint Reading
• Business Computer Applications
• CAD Design
• Drafting
• Electronics
• Geometry
• Physics
• Technical Writing
• Trigonometry
• Woodworking

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise