Metal fabricators (also known as fitters or plateworkers) work with ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including plate, tube and structural steel sections, to provide or repair component parts for bridges, buildings, towers, platforms, steel stairs, boilers, tanks, chutes, hoppers, stacks and other assemblies and structures made from metal. Metal fabricators set into place and mount these parts and components.

Although many of these structures can be enormous, metal fabricators need to work within close tolerances following blueprints and diagrams. If one piece is out two centimeters, the next will be out six centimeters, and the next twelve, and so on. Precision is vital. Their work often involves assembly, welding, cutting, shearing, bending, and /or bolting elements of structures together.

Metal fabricators are employed in a wide variety of work environments, including boiler fabrication plants, heavy-machinery manufacturing companies, platework fabrication plants, shipbuilding companies, structural-steel fabrication plants.

The work of metal fabricators can be both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in extreme weather. Safety is important, as they often work at great heights.

Apprenticeship Duration

3-4 years (5,400 benchmark hours) including both in-school (720 hours) and on the job training

Educational Requirement

Grade 12 or equivalency

In-School Training

Northern College offers the three levels of theoretical training required for the Metal Fabricator (Fitter) Apprenticeship Program. Theory and shop classes concentrate on welding and fabrication safety practices related to the trade. Included is the safe and correct use of hand and power tools, arc welding and cutting processes, material and process quality theory and practical exercises, blueprint reading, layout and fabricating methods, pattern and template development, project planning, and installation.

Introductory theory in metallurgy, codes and quality control methods are taught. This gives the student a good understanding of the complexities and engineering involved in fabricating structural steel components and manufacturing, high pressure, processing equipment, components for plants, and other industries that rely on quality fabrication.

Program of Study

Level I (10 weeks; 300hours) – Block A

WA1013 Welding Theory
WA1002 Welding Quality
WA1003 Blueprint Reading
WA1010 Welding and Cutting
WA1012 Trade Practices
WA1023 Trade Mathematics

The above subjects correspond to the following Apprenticeship reportable subjects: Trade Practices, Applied Blueprint Reading, Welding Theory I, Materials and Process Quality I, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Practical I, Gas Shielded Semi-Automatic Welding Practical I, and Thermal Cutting.

Level II (7 weeks; 210hours) – Block B

MF2012 Trade Practices
MF2002 Materials, Process Quality
MF2005 Layout and Fabrication
MF2004 Blueprint Reading
MF2022 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

The above subjects correspond to the following apprenticeship reportable subjects: Blueprint Advanced, Fabrication I, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Practical, Machine Operation, Material and Process Quality II, Pattern and Template Development I.

Level III (7 weeks; 210hours) – Block D

MF4003 Pattern and Template Development
MF4013 Project Planning & Shipping
MF4002 Installation
MF4006 Fabrication
CM1233 Trade Communications

The above subjects correspond to the following apprenticeship reportable subjects: Patterns and Templates Development II, Fabrication II, Project Planning, Preparation for Shipping, Installation.

For program information: