Overview of the role

Manufacturing anything that can be fabricated out of metal such as bridges, oil rigs and ships.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in a range of sectors such as advanced manufacturing engineering, engineering construction, and maritime. 

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 or repair of bridges, oil rigs, ships and submarines, 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.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts 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 will be responsible for the quality and accuracy of their 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.

Typical job titles include:

Metal fabricator

Occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Work safely at all times complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, organisational and environmental requirements

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 2 Plan and prepare for the METAL fabrication activities before commencing work

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 3 Check materials conform to the specified grades, dimensions and thicknesses identified on detailed engineering drawings.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 4 Use the correct methods for the moving and handling resources and materials

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 5 Set up, check AND adjust the equipment for use in the safe and reliable fabrication of METAL products or components and maintaining the equipment in a reliable and safe condition throughout

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 6 Interpret technical drawings, patterns, templates and specifications to mark out, produce and assemble complex fabricated products to meet the required specification and quality requirements

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 7 Use appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to shape and form (HOT or COLD) metal materials, demonstrating and applying knowledge of material properties and characteristics throughout.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 8 Monitor resources and activities throughout the fabrication of products or components, identifying areas for improving the production process where possible

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 9 Cutting, drilling, shaping and preparing METAL materials during fabrication activities using manual and power tools, thermal and laser cutting, as required calculating dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments/equipment

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 10 Operate appropriate tools and equipment to join metal parts using a range of mechanical fasteners and fixing techniques required by the specifications appropriate to the fabrication activity being carried out and in accordance with approved joining procedures and quality requirements

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 11 Operate joining equipment to join metal parts using a range of appropriate techniques to the standards required by the specifications for the fabrication activity being carried out

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 12 Inspect and test joins for security against required standard

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 13 Carry out quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 14 Deal with problems that occur within the fabrication activity in line with responsibilities of the role

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 15 Restore the work area and equipment to a safe and reliable condition on completion of the activity

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 16 Complete documentation at the appropriate stages of the work activity

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The importance of complying with statutory, quality, organisational and health and safety regulations. Back to Duty

K2: General engineering mathematical and scientific principles, methods, techniques, graphical expressions, symbols formulae and calculations. Back to Duty

K3: The structure, properties and characteristics of common materials. Back to Duty

K4: The typical problems that may arise within their normal work activities/environment. Back to Duty

K5: Approved diagnostic methods and techniques used to help solve engineering problems. Back to Duty

K6: The importance of only using current approved processes, procedures, documentation and the potential implications if they are not adhered to. Back to Duty

K7: The different roles and functions in the organisation and how they interact. Back to Duty

K8: Why it is important to continually review fabrication and general engineering processes and procedures. Back to Duty

K9: The correct methods of moving and handling materials. Back to Duty

K10: Processes for preparing materials to be marked out. Back to Duty

K11: The tools and techniques available for cutting, shaping, assembling and finishing materials. Back to Duty

K12: Allowances for cutting, notching, bending, rolling and forming materials. Back to Duty

K13: Describe Pattern development processes, tooling and equipment. Back to Duty

K14: Describe Cutting and forming techniques, tooling and equipment. Back to Duty

K15: Describe Assembly and finishing processes, tooling and equipment. Back to Duty

K16: Inspection techniques that can be applied to check shape and dimensional accuracy. Back to Duty

K17: Factors influencing selection of forming process. Back to Duty

K18: Principles, procedures and testing of different joining techniques (Mechanised or Manual). Back to Duty

K19: Equipment associated with Manual or Mechanised joining techniques including maintaining equipment in a reliable and safe condition. Back to Duty

K20: Consumables used in Manual or Mechanised joining. Back to Duty

K21: Effects of heating and cooling metals. Back to Duty

K22: Metallurgy associated with joining. Back to Duty

K23: Different types of Welds and joints. Back to Duty

K24: How to interpret relevant engineering data and documentation. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. Back to Duty

S2: Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. Back to Duty

S3: Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation). Back to Duty

S4: Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity. Back to Duty

S5: Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment. Back to Duty

S6: Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment. Back to Duty

S7: Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel. Back to Duty

S8: Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity. Back to Duty

S9: Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location. Back to Duty

S10: Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc. Back to Duty

S11: Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques. Back to Duty

S12: Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products. Back to Duty

S13: Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements. Back to Duty

S14: Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc. Back to Duty

S15: Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity. Back to Duty

S16: Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment. Back to Duty

S17: Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Personal responsibility and resilience – Comply with the health and safety guidance and procedures, be disciplined and have a responsible approach to risk, work diligently regardless of how much they are being supervised, accept responsibility for managing time and workload and stay motivated and committed when facing challenges. Back to Duty

B2: Work effectively in teams – Integrate with the team, support other people, consider implications of their own actions on other people and the business whilst working effectively to get the task completed. Back to Duty

B3: Effective communication and interpersonal skills – An open and honest communicator, communicates clearly using appropriate methods, listen well to others and have a positive and respectful attitude. Back to Duty

B4: Focus on quality and problem solving – Follow instructions and guidance, demonstrate attention to detail, follow a logical approach to problem solving and seek opportunities to improve quality, speed and efficiency. Back to Duty

B5: Continuous personal development – Reflect on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seek opportunities to develop, adapt to different situations, environments or technologies and have a positive attitude to feedback and advice. Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Other mandatory qualifications

High Level Qualification

Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge) OR Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)

Level: 3

Professional recognition

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

  • IMechE for Eng Tech
  • IET for Eng Tech
  • Royal Aeronautical Society for Eng Tech


Additional details

Occupational Level:

3

Duration (months):

42

Review

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

Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
Level: 3
Reference: ST0607
Version: 1.3
Date updated: 17/10/2024
Approved for delivery: 18 January 2019
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Typical duration to gateway: 42 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £27000
LARS Code: 399
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Alliance Structures, Alpha Manufacturing, Caswell, Hare, Harrisons Engineering, KMF, Laser Process, Roquette UK Ltd, Royal Air Force, Severfield, GTA England

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.3 Occupational standard and end-point assessment plan revised. 17/10/2024 Not set
1.2 End-point assessment plan revised. 13/06/2024 16/10/2024
1.1 Occupational standard and end-point assessment plan revised. 13/02/2024 12/06/2024
1.0 Approved for delivery 18/01/2019 12/02/2024

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