Sheet Metal Worker

Sheet metal workers make a wide range of items using pieces of flat metal up to three millimetres thick. They include panels and other parts for motor vehicles and aeroplanes, street signs, ventilation ducting, tables, trolleys and storage systems, and stainless steel products. Sheet metal workers often work with mild steel, but may also work with other ferrous metals, such as stainless steel or galvanised steel, or non-ferrous metals, such as aluminium, copper, brass and pewter. Working from engineering drawings, they mark out shapes on the metal before cutting them out. Some work on benches using hand-powered tools. Increasingly, sheet metal workers use computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting and pressing machines when producing quantities of metal sheets for mass-produced items.

Sheet metal workers normally work standard full-time hours, Monday to Friday. This may include shifts and overtime is common. They work alone or in small teams at a bench in a factory or workshop. The work involves standing, bending and lifting. They wear protective clothing and equipment, including ear protectors, boiler suits, gloves, helmets, glasses and safety boots.

Salaries range from around £14,000 to £27,000 a year.

A sheet metal worker should:

• have practical hand skills for using tools and equipment
• be able to understand technical drawings and visualise the appearance of finished products
• have good concentration for cutting, welding and using tools safely
• be comfortable using computer-operated machinery
• have good eyesight and, for some types of work, normal colour vision.

Sheet metal workers are employed throughout the UK, but are concentrated in the more industrial areas. They are employed in a range of manufacturing industries including engineering, aerospace, shipbuilding and the motor vehicle industry. There is currently a shortage of skilled workers.

Entry routes include craft training at work through an Apprenticeship in engineering or a fast-track Advanced Apprenticeship under the National Apprenticeship Scheme for Engineering Construction (NASEC). Other routes include studying courses at colleges leading to City & Guilds, BTEC, EAL or ABC awards or NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in fabrication and welding.

The Diplomas that may be relevant for this area of work are engineering and construction and the built environment. The Diploma in manufacturing and product design (MPD) may also be useful. Adults can train through the National Skills Development Scheme (NSDS).

Sheet metal workers who have completed their craft training may be able to progress to engineering technician training.

Further details