Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship

This occupation is found in the advanced manufacturing engineering and engineering construction sectors.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out metal fabrication work using things such as rolled steel joists, columns, channels, steel plate and metal sheet etc.

Work includes 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. Fabricators 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.

View our apprenticeship vacancies

As a metal fabricator, your daily work will include interacting with planners, supervisors, inspectors, designers, welders, pipefitters, fitters, machinists, riggers, steel erectors, stores personnel, painters, and many others involved in manufacturing, production, maintenance and repair.

An employee in this occupation, you will be responsible for the quality and accuracy of your own work whilst ensuring it conforms to a relevant specification such as an engineering drawing or an international standard. Fabricators are also responsible for the health, safety and environmental (HS&E) protection of themselves and others around them. You will learn all of the above in college, which you will then be able to put into practice and improve on in the workplace.

Whilst on programme, if successful, you will achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge).

As an apprentice, you can expect to undertake work based learning with an employer who will pay you a wage. Throughout the duration of your apprenticeship, you will attend college for one day per week.

The rest of your training will take place in-house at your workplace by your employer and a qualified assessor who will visit you on site who will complete assessments and progress reviews.

In order to complete the apprenticeship, you will undertake an End Point Assessment. It measures the knowledge, skills and behaviours each apprentice has developed and will include a practical observation and a professional discussion. This part of the apprenticeship is employer-led, so it will be your employer who decides if you are ready to undertake your End Point Assessment.

More detailed information can be found on the apprenticeship standard website (new window).

You will be required to attend an initial assessment in Maths and English and a short interview prior to enrolment, and you will be expected to have an C/4 or Level 2 Functional Skill in Maths and English to enter gateway in order for you to complete your End Point Assessment.

To start an apprenticeship you will need an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice. If you already have an employer please contact us. If you don't have an employer already, view our current apprenticeship vacancies.

You will be required to attend an interview at the College prior to enrolling onto an apprenticeship.

Possible careers:

• Fabricator and Welder
• Sheet Metal Worker
• Marine Welder

Information for Employers

Each apprenticeship needs to include 20% off-the-job training. This must amount to 20% of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship. Off-the-job training is learning undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. Off the Job Training should also be relevant to the knowledge, skills and behaviours detailed in the standard.

End Point Assessment

Each apprentice will need to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship.  It measures the knowledge, skills and behaviours each apprentice has developed. 

An apprentice can only take this assessment once all other aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed.  An apprentice needs to be completely ready to take this assessment and the employer and assessor will decide when the time is right.  A declaration will be signed by both the employer, apprentice and assessor.  If the apprentice fails the assessment, then there will be a re-sit charge, which is generally paid by the employer.

The EPA Consists of 2 discrete assessment methods:

1.     Professional Discussion

2.     Practical Observation