Fenestration fabricator

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This apprenticeship has been retired

Overview of the role

Manufacturing fenestration products such as windows, doors, shop fronts and walls.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the construction sector. Fenestration refers to the design, construction, or presence of openings in a building it can include windows, doors, louvres, vents, wall panels, skylights, storefronts, curtain walls, and slope glazed systems. Fabricators may supply directly to homeowners (retail/domestic market), the new-build market (house builders) or the commercial and public sector (local authorities, offices, shops, schools and hospitals etc). They can also supply the commercial refurbishment market.

The broad purpose of this occupation is to manufacture finished fenestration products such as conservatory roofing, curtain walls, glazed doors, glazed screening, roof lanterns, roof lights, patent/slope glazing, secondary glazing, shop fronts and windows. They usually specialise in a particular material – aluminium, timber, steel or uPVC and a range of products. They cut and assemble profiles together. Depending on the product they may add glass units, ancillary items for example, fixings and fastening, handles, hinges, locks and louvers, along with weatherproofing for example, gaskets, seals, membranes and sealants. Regardless of the product or material, it involves working to a specification, in line with quality standards, health and safety and environmental considerations.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the production/general manager whom they report to and depending on the size of the organisation customers (internal/external), other fabricators, delivery personnel, design office, internal stores and suppliers.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing their own work, with minimal supervision, ensuring they meet set deadlines. They may work as part of a team, with responsibility for a specific aspect of the fabricator process, contributing to the production of the overall product.

Typical job titles include:

Aluminium/upvc fabricator Double glazing window factory fabricator Fabricator Production operative Windows/doors fabricator

Occupation duties

Duty	Criteria for measuring performance	KSBs
Duty 1 Receive, unload, check and store materials and components, for example profile material, glass units and ancillary items ready for the fabrication process; ensuring all materials are present and in good condition.	• Efficient and timely preparation for the fabrication process • Damage to materials minimised • Compliance with Health and Safety, including manual handling • Compliance with company procedures • Shortages minimised	K2 K3 K6 K7 K9 K10 K19 S10 S11 S13 S15 S16 S18 B1 B2
Duty 2 Identify and confirm fabrication requirements against work instructions/specifications.	• Correctly identified fabrication requirements using instructions and specifications that are assigned to the job	K1 K4 K5 K11 K21 K22 S1 S2 S10 S11 B3 B4 B6 B7
Duty 3 Use fabrication equipment such as machines, hand and power tools; conducting equipment and/or machinery checks and adjustments in preparation for fabrication, including calibrations for accuracy of machine operation.	Compliance with manufacturer’s instructions to check and adjust machinery	K5 K6 K12 K13 K14 K15 S5 S7 S10 S11 B1
Duty 4 Measure, cut, drill and prepare the profile length of various materials (aluminium, uPVC, wood etc.) that will form the finished product.	• Accuracy of work • Speed of work • Compliance with company procedure and method statements correctly • Compliance with Health and Safety	K4 K6 K8 K12 K13 K14 K18 K20 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S10 S11 B1 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 5 Manufacture the product including mullions (vertical bars) and transoms (horizontal bars) using the relevant jointing method and/or machinery.	• Compliance with instructions or specifications and fabrication manuals • Speed to ensure the production programme is maintained. • Compliance with Health & Safety	K1 K4 K5 K6 K7 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K17 K20 S2 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 B1 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 6 Assemble the product including opening frames, sashes or vents if applicable using fabrication methods such as crimping, sawing, welding, machining, bending and beading.	• Compliance with instructions or specifications and fabrication manuals • Speed to ensure the production programme is maintained. • Compliance with Health & Safety	K1 K4 K5 K6 K11 K12 K14 K15 K16 K17 S2 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 B1 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 7 Fix ancillary items to the product, for example handles.	• Compliance with work instructions, specifications and fabrication manuals. • All work carried out to agreed production programme.	K1 K3 K4 K5 K6 K11 K12 K16 S1 S2 S7 S8 S9 S10 S17 B1 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 8 Check and inspect the product (such as windows, doors etc.) for any damage or imperfections in the frame or paintwork. Rectifying any defects, passing it on to appropriate colleagues or reporting the issue.	• Compliance with works instructions, specifications and fabrication manuals. • All work carried out to an agreed production programme.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K9 K10 K11 K17 K18 K20 K21 S2 S10 S11 S12 S13 S16 S17 S18 B2 B3 B4 B7
Duty 9 Clean and finish the product using appropriate materials and chemicals safely and ensuring the finished product functions correctly.	• Compliance with health & safety, including manual handling. • Compliance with work instructions, specifications and company procedures. • All work should be carried out to an agreed production programme.	K1 K2 K6 K18 K20 S1 S2 S4 S10 S11 S18 B1 B2 B3 B5 B6
Duty 10 Protect and/or tape finished product and store ready for transportation.	Compliance with regulations or company procedure.	K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K10 K12 K19 K20 S1 S2 S10 S11 S14 B1 B2 B3
Duty 11 Complete documentation, for example worksheets, quality and environmental records.		K1 K3 K4 K5 K8 K9 K10 K17 K20 K21 K23 S2 S10 S11 S16 S17 S18 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The role of fabrication in the fenestration industry. Key markets for fenestration products - domestic, commercial, public sector and their requirements. Different types of products and their purpose, including specialist products for enhanced performance, safety, security and fire rating. Back to Duty

K2: How glass and profiles are manufactured including raw materials and processes. Back to Duty

K3: Other functions that fabricators interact with, for example surveying, processing, despatch, installation, service engineers; their purpose and interdependencies. Internal and external customers. Back to Duty

K4: Materials used in fenestration fabrication - aluminium, timber, steel or uPVC; their mechanical properties, uses and design limitations. Ancillary items - for example fixings and fastening, handles, hinges, locks and louvers; their purpose and how/where they should interact. Weatherproofing products and systems - for example, gaskets, membranes, sealants, weather seals and drainage systems; their purpose, compatibility, conditions for storage and use (shelf life). Back to Duty

K5: Legislation, regulations and industry standards, including window energy rating standards, CE marking, secured by design, building regulations documents AD-K, Product Standard (BS 7412, 8529), British standard testing for temperature, tolerance and weld, Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals Regulations) and Quality Management System (ISO 9001) application in the workplace. Back to Duty

K6: Health and safety, including: Health & Safety at Work Act, Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV); how they must be applied in the workplace. Risk assessments and dynamic risk assessments. Back to Duty

K7: Safe handling/movement of profiles and product/Safe handling, movement and storage of glass. Problems or damage that can occur and avoidance methods. Which authority/licenses are needed to use moving and handling equipment, such as cranes, forklift trucks and manipulators (it is not a requirement to hold such authority/licenses). Back to Duty

K8: Environmental considerations: safe disposal of waste, minimising waste (re-use and re-cycle), energy efficiency. Back to Duty

K9: Limits of autonomy; reporting channels. Back to Duty

K10: Who they need to communicate with and when, and communication techniques; verbal, written and digital. Documentation requirements. Back to Duty

K11: System (manufacturers manuals) and specifications - what they are and how to interpret them; what to do if suspect the specification is wrong or have any queries about the specification Back to Duty

K12: Tools, equipment and plant used in fenestration fabrication, including saws, routers, welding machinery, electrical/hand drills, screwdrivers, cranes and manipulators. What they are used for, correct safe use and storage. How to conduct machinery and equipment checks and adjustments. Start-up and shutdown procedures including emergency stops. Use of CAD (computer-aided design) and CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) equipment in fabrication. Back to Duty

K13: Preparation techniques – planning work and resources. Back to Duty

K14: Techniques for measuring, marking, cutting and drilling materials to the required size and shape, accurately, safely and economically. Back to Duty

K15: Product assembly methods, including welding, fusing, crimping; order of processes. Back to Duty

K16: Techniques for fitting components, for example ancillary items, beading and glazing. Back to Duty

K17: Interim and final checking requirements– what needs checking (size, shape, design, components) and why. Back to Duty

K18: Types of errors that occur, investigation and rectification techniques, such as manual or mechanical adjustment. Back to Duty

K19: How to stack and store products and materials safely, effectively and securely. Problems or damage that can occur with stored resources and how to overcome them. Back to Duty

K20: Processes for handover to other functions/customers. Back to Duty

K21: Contractual arrangements, for example penalty clauses. Consumer rights – ‘satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.’ How the role contributes to commercial operations. Back to Duty

K22: Employment rights and responsibilities, including Working Time Directive, Employment Rights Act 1996. Back to Duty

K23: Equality & Diversity in the workplace. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Select the correct type and quantity of materials and components for each task. Back to Duty

S2: Read and interpret specifications, diagrams and work instructions; follow instructions. Back to Duty

S3: Plan work. Back to Duty

S4: Prepare the work area effectively. Back to Duty

S5: Complete equipment and machinery checks and adjustments. Back to Duty

S6: Measure, calculate, mark and cut materials. Back to Duty

S7: Select and use manual methods and machinery/workplace technology. Back to Duty

S8: Join/assemble materials. Back to Duty

S9: Fix ancillary items to products. Back to Duty

S10: Follow health & safety and environmental policy and procedures. Back to Duty

S11: Identify risks and hazards in the workplace and control measures. Back to Duty

S12: Check and inspect work – interim and final. Back to Duty

S13: Identify and rectify any work that is incorrect or incomplete. Back to Duty

S14: Label product; protect and package product for safe transportation. Back to Duty

S15: Re-use, re-cycle and dispose of material, waste and scrap from the work area, as appropriate. Back to Duty

S16: Communicate with colleagues/customers; use common industry terminology appropriately. Back to Duty

S17: Complete workplace documentation. Back to Duty

S18: Report work outcomes and problems. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Has a health & safety-first attitude, for example, resists pressures to follow unsafe working practices. Back to Duty

B2: Professional, for example, develops good working relationships recognising dependencies, uses co-operative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity with limited supervision, shows respect for colleagues. Back to Duty

B3: Takes responsibility, for example, completes own work to required quality standards. Back to Duty

B4: Applies logical thinking, for example, uses clear and valid reasoning when making decisions related to undertaking the work instructions. Back to Duty

B5: Works effectively, for example, undertakes work in a reliable, tidy and productive manner. Back to Duty

B6: Applies time management, for example uses their time effectively to complete work to schedule and always arrives at, and ready to work on time. Back to Duty

B7: Adjustable when required, for example adapts to changes to work instructions or variations in workplace contexts and environments. Back to Duty

Qualifications

English and Maths

English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.

Additional details

Occupational Level:

Duration (months):

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

End-point assessment (EPA plan)

Rigorous robust and independent assessment undertaken by an apprentice at the end of training to test that the apprentice can perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the occupational standard

End-point assessment organisation (EPAO)

An organisation approved to deliver end-point assessment for a particular apprenticeship standard. EPAOs must be on the register of end-point assessment organisations

Holistic or synoptic

Assessment of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in an integrated way i.e. assessing several KSBs at the same time

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB)

What is needed to competently undertake the duties required for an occupational standard

Valid

Referred to in relation to assessment methods; fit for purpose

Change request policy

Most changes to an apprenticeship are made as a result of a holistic review of it. We prioritise the need for such reviews based on a range of factors. These include:

the time since the apprenticeship was developed or last reviewed (taking account of its typical duration)
the existence of any known problems with it (e.g. lower than expected starts, low achievement rate, high withdrawal rate, any issues with the availability of training or end-point assessment provision)
whether the apprenticeship is currently subject to a dispensation
the relative significance of the apprenticeship based on how many users it has

The availability of an employer group to support a review and its potential impact on any related technical education product also inform the timing of a review.

Details of apprenticeships that are currently being revised or adjusted are available in our revisions and adjustments status report.

Status: Retired

Level: 2

Reference: ST0744

Version: 1.0

Date updated: 15/02/2023

Route: Engineering and manufacturing

Typical duration to gateway: 18 months (this does not include EPA period)

Maximum funding: £6000

LARS Code: 512

EQA Provider: Ofqual

Fenestration fabricator assessment plan

File size: 351.2 KB

Employers involved in creating the standard: The Window Company Ltd, Sunray Construction, UK Glass Force, Nationwide Windows, Anglian Home Improvements, Eurocell, Synseal/Global Glass, Rehau, Saint Gobain, Prentice Glass, Independent Network (Veka), Cornwall Glass & Glazing, Everest, SAS (Senior Architectural Systems), VPS Evander, Continental Installations, Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems (Parkside Group), Safestyle, Emplas Window Systems Ltd, Glazerite UK Group Limited

Print the occupational standard (including PDF)

Version log

Version	Change detail	Earliest start date	Latest start date
1.1	Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised.	06/11/2024	Not set
1.0	Approved for delivery	27/09/2019	05/11/2024

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