Overview
Labourers in metal fabrication remove excess metal and unwanted materials from metal parts, castings and other metal products and perform other labouring activities. They are employed in structural steel, boiler and platework fabrication plants, heavy machinery manufacturing plants, sheet metal fabrication shops, shipbuilding and other metal products manufacturing companies.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Read and interpret work orders
Operate metal cleaning equipment such as wheelabrators, deburrers and shotblasters to remove excess welds, rust, scale and other material from surfaces of metal parts, castings and other metal products
Polish metal products to mirror finish
Immerse metal products in cleaning solutions
Assist structural steel and platework fitters, sheet metal workers, metalworking machine operators or other metal workers
Transport raw materials and finished metal products manually or using hoists or other devices
Sort metal sheets and parts, scrap metal and other materials
Clean work areas and equipment
Load and unload vehicles using hand truck or dolly
May cut, grind or chip excess metal from metal products using hand tools.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$37,541
$49,012
$68,825
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
130expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education may be required.
Additional information
There is some mobility among occupations in this unit group.
Progression to metalworking machine operator positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.