Trade Programs: Steel Fabricator

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a Steel Fabricator do?

A steel fabricator works with unfinished steel in the fabrication, assembly, repair and maintenance of both moveable and stationary structures. This individual is a skilled worker who prepares the steel for the finished product for further assembly and construction by another tradesperson, such as a sheet metal worker or industrial welder.

As well as reading and interpreting drawings and sketches, a steel fabricator must be able to use hand and power tools to perform the following functions to both ferrous and non-ferrous metals:

• Lay out steel for cutting
• Burn the metal
• Saw, cut, shear and punch holes in metal using drills and other power tools
• Shape, form and straighten metal with the use of heat and flame
• Fit and ream metal to specifications
• Rivet, bolt and grind metal
• Weld, with both electric arc and oxyacetylene welding equipment
• Prepare, prime and paint structural pieces and plates of steel

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship is four years of three levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training. The fourth year of training is devoted entirely to acquiring on-the-job experience.

What in-school technical training do I need?

In apprenticeship, you must attend periods of in-school training. Subject areas of study include:

• Trade-related mathematics, science and communications
• Blueprint reading and sketches
• Rigging procedures and precautions
• Safety
• Electric arc welding
• Steel fabrication-theory and practical
• Fasteners and connections
• Layout of structural shapes
• Steel stock and production
• Preparation of material for fabrication
• Assembly and fitting of steel
• Inspection of work
• Cleaning and painting
• Handling procedures
• Making templates: wood, paper and metal
• Beam layout
• Building and fitting of frames
• Pattern development
• Effects of heat
• Building girders, trusses and chutes

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 1:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

Senior Years Apprenticeship Option: Begin your apprenticeship training in high school. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A Grade 12 or equivalent high school academic standing is required including a recommended course(s) in Science. If you are 19 years or older and do not hold a high school diploma, you can also qualify as a Mature Student. Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a “Red Seal” endorsed interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

Your “Red Seal” endorsed Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson in this trade is recognized throughout Canada.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

When not attending technical courses, the rate of wages for an apprentice shall not be less than the provincial minimum wage plus a percentage which increases by 10 per cent every six months over the length of the apprenticeship.

So, during the first six months of an apprenticeship, the minimum wage is the provincial minimum wage plus 30 per cent. In the first six months of the fourth year of an apprenticeship, the minimum wage is the provincial minimum wage plus 90 per cent. In the last six months of the fourth and final year of an apprenticeship, the minimum wage is the provincial minimum wage plus 95 per cent.

Apprentices who work for unionized employers are entitled to the wage rate in the collective agreement if this rate exceeds the pay rates specified in the trade regulation.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits. In total, the value of the benefits can range from 20 per cent to 30 per cent over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule

What are the career prospects?

The trade of steel fabrication is closely connected with both construction and industrial trades in the pre-fabricating of frames, plates, girders and chutes to be used later in the assembly process. The work is conducted primarily indoors, in small fabricating shops or large factories. Steel fabricators may find employment with railways, steel manufacturing companies, heavy duty equipment manufacturers, machine shops and metal fabricator shops.