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.
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.
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.

These can be useful from school:
Ideally, NCEA Level 2 in Maths
Apprenticeship
Higher learning
Higher learning
Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications – tailored to your businesses specific needs.
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:
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.