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Did You Know? [Convicts]"were assigned to Iron Gangs and worked in leg-irons - an iron collar around each ankle was joined together by a length of chain. Weighing up to 6 kg these could only be put on or removed by a blacksmith." (Source: Great North Road)

 

 

Manufacturing & Production

 

 

Sheet metal workers use drawings and specifications to determine materials and tools needed to fabricate various products. They work with thin sheet metal such as steel, aluminium, copper or brass. They use a variety of hand and power tools to cut, shape, bend and join the sheet metal to form the final product. They may use hammers, grinders or cutting torches to cut and shape the material; then join using bolts, rivets or welding. They may also be involved in finishing the final product by filing or polishing. Increasingly they are involved in the setting up and use of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines.

A sheetmetal worker (light fabrication) manufactures a variety of products and components using thin sheetmetal materials. A sheetmetal worker uses hand tools, power tools and other machines to mark out, cut, shape and join a variety of sheetmetal materials. They work with galvanised steel, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and brass. Sheetmetal workers shape and form the cut material into products by operating sheetmetal shaping and forming machines such as brake presses, and folding, bending and rolling machines.

ANZSCO ID: 3222

Alternative names: Sheet metal worker, Sheetmetal worker (light fabrication),

Specialisations: Metal Spinner, Sheetmetal Patternmaker

Knowledge, skills and attributes  

• the ability to work accurately

• good practical skills
  the ability to read engineering drawings and follow instructions

• good maths skills to work out cutting speeds

• an understanding of the strengths and properties of metals

• basic computer skills.

(Source: Westberg Sheetmetal)

Duties and Tasks

• studying blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine job, material and equipment requirements

• selecting metal stock, such as stainless steel, galvanised iron, mild steel, aluminium and copper, and checking sizes, gauges and other dimensions of metal stock against specifications

• marking out metal stock with reference points and lines, using templates, gauges and other measuring instruments

• cutting metal stock along guidelines using hand and power shears, guillotines and drills

• shaping and forming cut metal stock into products using folding and bending machines, rollers, presses and hammers

• fitting and assembling components into final products by welding, riveting, soldering, brazing and otherwise joining

• finishing products by polishing, filing, sanding and cleaning assembled products

• may repair damaged sheetmetal products and components

• may specialise in fabrication, or on-site assembly and installation, of sheetmetal products

• may produce aircraft sheet metal components requiring advanced drawing and calculating skills

• may specialise in decorative copperwork

Working conditions

Sheet metal workers may work in an environment that is hot, noisy and dusty, usually in a workshop or production area. They must be safety-conscious and will usually have to wear protective clothing and equipment. They may be required to stand all day, or work in confined spaces or at heights.
Sheet metal workers work 38 hours per week; this could be normal hours or shift work. If employed by a mining company, for example in the Pilbara, they may work on a Fly In/Fly Out basis.

Tools and technologies

Sheet metal workers need to become proficient with hand and power tools relevant to the trade. They may also be involved in the programming, setting up and use of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a qualified sheetmetal trades worker, you usually need to complete an apprenticeship. The sheetmetal worker (first class) apprenticeship usually takes 48 months to complete and is available as a school-based apprenticeship.

 

  Manufacturing & Production

 

 

Engineering Production Workers perform a range of production process tasks to refine and treat metals and mineral ore, fire ceramics, and operate plant to produce and finish metal products such as rods, tubing and structural shapes, and moulds for casting.

ANZSCO ID: 7123

Specialisations: Alumina Refinery Operator, Arc Welder, Brake Press Operator, Computer Numeric Control Machine Operator, Foundry Operator, Furnace Operator (Metals), Kiln Operator (Metals), Metal Rolling Mill Operator, Sheetmetal Worker (Second Class), Tool Setter, Turret Punch Operator.

 

 

 

(Source: Your Career)

 

Duties and Tasks

• interpreting engineering production drawings

• setting up, operating and adjusting production plant to shape metal stock and castings and cut sheet metal

• operating welding and electroplating plant

• operating furnaces and quenching plant to smelt and change the structure of metals

• using kilns and ovens to fire ceramics

• processing mineral ore and operating metal rolling plant

• casting molten metal and operating plant to draw metal wire through dies

• operating computer-controlled production plant

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as an Engineering Production Worker without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Training is available through VET (Vocational Education and Training). A course in engineering studies, competitive systems and practices, manufacturing technology or resource processing might be helpful.

 

 

   Manufacturing & Production

 

 

A welder - first class constructs or repairs metal products by joining parts either manually (using a variety of welding methods, including electric arc, MIG and TIG welding or oxyacetylene welding) or by machine. These parts are used to complete structures and equipment (such as ships, bridges, pipelines, vehicles  and domestic appliances).

 

Welders shape, join and repair metal parts for use in machinery and other metal products and structures. They use a range of welding processes to apply heat or electrical current to metal parts to join them together.

ANZSCO ID: 322313

Specialisations: Special Class Welder

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Understanding of and ability to read blueprints: planning for any construction project revolves around blueprints, so it’s essential that you know how to read them. They will be your guide in any job, from parts fabrication to large-scale building, providing the information you need for ordering and working with material. You also need to be able to recognize errors or flag any necessary changes.

• Mathematical skills: Welding is a trade that requires precise numbers. You will use math every day as a welder, in reading blueprints, determining distances and angles and calculating the strength of each weld. Equipment calibration is vital knowledge and is also math-based.

• Knowledge of various welding techniques: Although there are apprenticeships available, employers are often looking for experienced welders. The best welders have good knowledge of many different welding methods. The most common are MIG (metal inert gas), TIG (tungsten inert gas), stick and flux-core, but some employers or industries may require more specialized skills.

• Ability to perform related fabrication tasks: The act of welding is only one part of a welder’s job. Other tasks can include torch-cutting, grinding, beveling, simple soldering and brazing. Having a thorough knowledge of these and other skills is indispensable in becoming a sought-after welder.

• Strong interpersonal skills: Welders encounter many people throughout their day. To work with other tradespeople, project managers, suppliers and clients, you need to be able to communicate efficiently. The ability to explain what you’re doing, why you’re doing it and how you’re doing it will help prevent misunderstandings and keep a job running smoothly. Having an approachable manner in your interactions will set you up as someone others want to work with again.

• Attention to detail: Having an eye for minute detail is crucial when you’re a welder. Small flaws can have a big impact, even to the point of causing a weld to fail completely. This could be caused by not prepping your material properly, letting your equipment get a little run-down or settling for just ‘good enough’ work.

• A good work ethic: As with any job, welding requires commitment. Clients and fellow tradespeople are depending on you to do your work so that the project can be finished on time. All the trades on a job site need to coordinate with each other, and having one person who isn’t putting in their all can hold up everyone’s work. A good work ethic is one of the strongest personal qualities you can bring to the table.
  

 

Duties and Tasks

• Aligns parts to be joined using hand tools and measuring instrument.

• Joins metal sections using various welding techniques, bolting and riveting.

• Examines welds for width of bead, penetration and precision.

• Cleans and smoothes welds by filing, chiselling and grinding.

Working conditions

Welders work in workshops, factories and a range of other industrial production and engineering environments.
In line with occupational health and safety requirements, welders use a range of personal protective equipment (PPE), which will vary depending on the specific work being carried out.

Tools and technologies

Welders need to be familiar with a number of different welding techniques and equipment. They work with a number of different metals, hand tools, power tools, specialist welding tools and heavy machinery. They are also required to wear PPE, which may include leather gloves or welding gauntlets, ear plugs, breathing apparatus, and welding masks or helmets.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a welder, you usually have to complete an engineering tradesperson fabrication (first class welder) apprenticeship. The apprenticeship usually takes 42 to 48 months to complete and is available as a school-based apprenticeship.

Welders can gain additional skills through post trade welding certificates aligned with Australian and international standards.

 

 

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)

 

Farrier

Diver Hyperbaric Welder Diver

Metallurgical Technician

Metallurgist

 

 

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Sheetmetal Trades Worker; Welder; ]
Your Career [Engineering Production Worker; Sheet Metal Trades Worker; Metal Fabricator; Welder (First Class); ]