Sheet Metal Worker
What is the work like?
Sheet metal workers make metal products for the engineering, construction and manufacturing industries, including pipes, cylinders, panels and containers.
As a sheet metal worker in light engineering, you would work with relatively thin metal sheeting to produce items, for example the car panels used in vehicle manufacturing.
On a typical job, you would:
- mark out sections following engineering drawings and instructions
- shape and cut out sections using a combination of hand tools and computer-controlled machines, like presses and rollers
- finish items with tools like grinders and polishers to smooth down rough edges.
Depending on the job, you may also assemble sections, using riveting, welding and bolting methods.
In heavy industry, where you might be known as as a plater, you would use thicker metal plate sections to build up structures, for instance ship hulls or drilling rig platforms.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
One of your main routes to becoming a sheet metal worker is to start on the National Apprenticeship Scheme for Engineering Construction (NASEC). You must be aged 16½ to 21 to apply for the offshore technician apprenticeship; for the Scheme's other apprenticeships, you must be 17 or over and complete the training before your 24th birthday.
To be eligible for a NASEC apprenticeship, you would need GCSEs (A-C) in maths, English and a science, or equivalent qualifications. Qualifications in engineering drawing, metalwork or other practical subjects may be useful.
You can find details about the apprenticeships by contacting NASEC Administration.
As an alternative, you could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for this job. Courses include:
- BTEC First Certificate in Engineering
- BTEC National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering (has options in Fabrication and Welding)
- City & Guilds (2800) Certificate in Engineering levels 1 and 2 (has options in platework and welding)
Your local further education college should be able to give you more information about their engineering courses.
For details about careers in sheet metal work, see the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) website.
What further training and development can I do?
You would normally receive on-the-job craft training once you start work as a sheet metal worker. You may be able to combine this with part-time study at a college or, in the case of a larger employer, at their company training centre.
As a NASEC apprentice, you would complete up to three years’ on-the-job training, working alongside experienced sheet metal workers. You would work towards the NVQ in Engineering Construction at Level 3. This qualification has several options, depending on your particular area of work, for instance fabricating steel or welding plate.
The Level 3 award includes the CCNSG Safety Passport (Client/Contractor National Safety Group). The passport covers 10 units, including health and safety law, fire precautions, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) principles and first aid.
You can find information about the award plus training providers on the ECITB's dedicated CCNSG website.
If you are working in this area but do not have formal qualifications, you could gain recognition of your skills and experience through the TECSkills initiative. ECITB has developed this route, so that sheet metal workers could gain a relevant NVQ. See the TECSkills website for more details.
If you specialised in welding, you could take up training courses with the Welding Institute (TWI), which offers training and qualifications in different welding techniques.
Where can I go for more information?
Great Abington
Cambridge
CB21 6AL
Tel: 01223 899000
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
NASEC Administration: 01923 402155
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
Engineering Construction Technician
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for sheet metal workers are between £14,000 and £16,500 a year.
- Experienced workers earn between £17,000 and £23,000.
- Workers with supervisory responsibilities can earn up to £25,000 a year.
Shift work and overtime may increase these rates.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work 37 to 39 hours a week, which may include shift work.
Most of your work would take place in a workshop or factory where conditions could be noisy, hot and dirty. You would wear protective clothing at all times and use safety equipment for some jobs, for example when welding.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- practical skills for using tools and equipment
- good concentration levels for cutting, welding and using tools safely and accurately
- numeracy skills for making measurements
- some basic computer skills
- an understanding of technical drawings
- the ability to picture how finished products will look
- the ability to work without direct supervision and to work as part of a team
- good physical fitness
- a good head for heights for some work
- normal colour vision.
What opportunities are there?
You can find jobs in sheet metal working and plating with firms like automotive, aerospace and ventilation equipment manufacturers. You will also find opportunities with companies that build large structures, such as oil rigs, pipelines and storage tanks.
You would find most sheet metal work jobs in the Midlands, north-east, south Wales, London and the south-east of England. Plating jobs tend to be in Scotland and the north of England.
Your promotion options may include jobs like site supervisor or foreman/forewoman, which could then lead into middle management. You could also move up to engineering technician level with further training. See the profile for Engineering Construction Technician.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
SCENTA
JustEngineers.net
The Engineer Online
Engineering Jobs Network
Jobcentre Plus
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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