Sheet Metal Workers

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A typical pathway is to finish secondary school courses in math, drafting, and shop or technology classes, then look for an entry job or apprenticeship with a sheet metal contractor, fabrication shop, or construction firm. Many people learn on the job while also taking classroom training through employer or trade-school programs, but the exact route can vary by province, employer, and whether the work is shop fabrication, on-site installation, or servicing and maintenance. Early experience with tools, measuring, reading drawings, and safe hands-on work can be helpful.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Read engineering and architectural drawings, sketches and work specifications to be performed, and lay out, measure and mark sheet metal according to drawings or templates
• Develop patterns for sheet metal using computer-assisted design and drafting (CAD) software package
• Operate light metalworking machines such as shears, brakes, punches, and drill presses, including computer numerical control (CNC) equipment to cut, bend, punch, drill, shape or straighten sheet metal
• Operate computerized laser or plasma cutting equipment to cut sheet metal
• Install and use rigging and hoisting equipment
• Fit and join sheet metal parts using riveting, welding, soldering and similar equipment to fabricate products such as ventilation shafts, exhaust hoods, eavestroughs, partition frames, air and heat ducts, material handling systems, roof decking and sheet metal buildings
• Install sheet metal products according to specifications and building codes
• Grind and buff seams, joints and rough surfaces
• Inspect product quality and installation to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Sheet metal workers may specialize in on-site installation or shop manufacture of sheet metal products, or servicing and maintenance of installed equipment and systems.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career