Fabrication

Fabrication

The fabrication programme provides a nationally recognised qualification that combines practical workplace training with technical knowledge. It equips people with the skills to work with metals using a variety of techniques, such as measuring, cutting, bending, welding, and assembling to manufacture components and structures. Training covers tasks based on design-engineer drawings, working safely with heavy and light metals, and following quality standards across heavy fabrication, light fabrication, and steel construction.

Benefits of these programmes


•   Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
•   A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
•  Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses
•  Coverage of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility
•  Build skills in measuring, cutting, bending, welding, assembling metal components, and interpreting technical drawings
•  Ability to fabricate heavy and light metal structures for applications ranging from architectural to structural engineering
•  Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

Programmes available

What do they do?

Fabricators work with metals. They make steel parts and structures: from kitchen sinks (light fabrication) to steel tanks (heavy fabrication) or even skyscrapers (steel construction fabrication). They are also called sheet metal workers, steel construction workers, boilermakers and fitter-welders.

A typical day

Normally an eight-hour day: sometimes working longer may be required.

Fabrication work is varied and can include working with metals to create specific products, working from design engineers' drawings, measuring, cutting, bending and welding metals, and testing the finished products.

Training is tailored to the type of work you do: heavy fabrication, light fabrication or steel construction.

Sound like you?

Study areas
  • English or Media or History.
  • Maths or Accounting or Economics.
  • Sciences or Workshop Technologies.
  • Computing or ICT or Information Management.
Attributes
  • Reasonable strength and fitness.
  • Confidence with IT, computers, technology.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Good work habits/time management.
Helpful experience
  • Analysing, researching or problem-solving.
  • Making or fixing things.
  • Working with machinery.
  • Working with computers.
Preferred work environments
  • Indoors (workshop or plant).
  • Outdoors.
  • Different places from time to time.

Pathway

School

These can be useful from school:

Ideally, NCEA Level 2 in Maths

  • Science (physics).
  • Technology (metalwork).
  • English.
  • Entry level jobs

    Apprenticeship

    • Fabricator (light, heavy or steel construction).
    Advancing jobs

    Higher learning

    • Specialist Fabricator.
    • Supervisor.
    • Leading Hand.
    • Workshop Supervisor.
    • Welding Supervisor.
    Senior jobs

    Higher learning

    • Foreman.
    • Site Supervisor.
    • Business Manager.
    • Business Owner.

    Ready to get Started?

    Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications – tailored to your businesses specific needs.

    How we work with you

    We work with industry experts to develop nationally recognised qualifications, mapping the skills needed and registering them with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Our team develop training plans to make it easy for you to grow your employee’s skills and productivity.

    Once your learner/s are signed into a training plan, you will be assigned a Competenz account manager who will:

    • Visit your business and your apprentices regularly throughout the year
    • Structure training into manageable chunks of learning
    • Set deadlines with apprentices to complete assessments (in full consultation with employers)
    • Co-ordinate access to online learning and arrange block courses
    • Assist apprentices to successfully complete their training programme.

    As an employer, you need to become familiar with your apprentice’s training programme and targets, and provide them with plenty of opportunities to develop and practise the required skills.

    Employers Hub

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    Onboarding guides
    Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays. These guides explain your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how you can help your apprentice succeed.
    See your business impact
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    Ready to get started?