Machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades

Tool and gauge inspectors maintain quality control standards in machine parts and tooling through testing and adjusting the equipment. They must be skilled at reading blueprints and charts, using algebra and geometry, testing parts on machines, and updating inspection records. To train as a tool and gauge inspector, you first need to be certified as [...]

Precision metal fabricators cut and shape metal. Their work includes interpreting blueprints, joining metal parts, and ensuring product quality. They operate various metal forming, shaping, and cutting machines. They can work with fabrication shops, manufacturing plants, or as contractors. Most work indoors, but some work on construction sites in unfinished buildings.

Motive power machinists operate precision metal cutting and grinding machines to make engine parts and other automotive vehicle parts. They may use lathes, milling machines, drills, shapers, boring mills, and grinders to install, adjust, repair, or replace a variety of vehicle parts.

Mould or die finishers use a variety of power and hand tools to shape, smooth, finish, and polish moulds or metal working dies. They use math skills to calculate and measure these pieces, and they must be able to read instructions and interpret blueprints. They inspect finished products to make sure the pieces have been [...]

Mould designers plan out the moulds that are used to shape plastic and other materials. They decide which type of mould should be used for a process, and then design the layout of the mould components. They then finalize the drawings of the mould design that will be used in manufacturing facilities to produce precisely [...]

A die designer is a highly skilled craftsperson who creates dies for stamping, forming, or forging presses. Tool and die makers use equipment such as lathes, drill presses, and milling machines to produce precision metal parts (tools, dies, and moulds). They must be knowledgeable about mechanics, metallurgy, mathematics, precision measurement, and blueprints.

Ironworkers reinforce buildings, highways, bridges, and other large structures with steel supports. They also reinforce concrete with metal bars or wire material for construction. Some ironworkers do fabrication work in factories, while others work outdoors on construction sites. They can be involved in manufacturing, construction, demolition, salvaging, and maintenance work.

Structural and ornamental ironworkers make and install metalwork such as curtain walls, iron gates and doors, stairways, and railings in buildings. Ironworkers must be able to read instructions and construction plans. They may inspect metalwork for deterioration and maintain it by aligning and welding new bolts or other metal pieces into place.

Residential (low rise) sheet metal installers have similar duties to sheet metal workers, but they work specifically in air handling or ventilation systems in low-rise residential buildings. The buildings these installers work in have specific ventilation systems and must be a maximum of four stories. They do not have duties involving manufacturing, fabrication, or metal [...]

Pressure systems welders use shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and flux cored arc welding processes to weld metal plates, tubes, and other structures in boilers and other pressure systems. They cut pipes and tanks and assemble these pieces, and may have to repair defective welds in boilers and [...]

Welders join and sever metals. They make metal parts used in construction, in manufacturing, for tools, and for equipment. There are many different types of welding, including arc, gas, and resistance. Welders must follow blueprints, develop patterns for projects, shape component parts, inspect component parts, and then weld parts together. They also build up worn [...]

Sheet metal workers cut, shape, and assemble sheet metal. Their work ranges from furnace and duct systems in homes, to oven and drying systems in auto plants, to heating and ventilating systems in office towers. They interpret blueprints, join metal parts, and ensure product quality. They can work for fabrication shops, for manufacturing plants, or [...]

Fabricate moulds by hand or machine. Finish the mould surfaces, fit together mould blocks.

Tool and die makers use lathes, drill presses, and milling machines to produce precision metal parts (tools, dies, and moulds) for manufacturing. They must be skilled at reading blueprints, setting up machinery using precise measurements, planning the full sequence of actions required to complete the part, fitting parts together using hand tools, and inspecting the [...]

Machinists set up and operate machine tools like lathes, milling machines, precision measuring tools, and power tools. They learn how to interpret blueprints, understand the properties of metal, and make very precise parts. Most machinists work in manufacturing plants or machine shops.

Construction boilermakers assemble and repair mammoth boilers, blast furnaces, pressure vessels, and power generating storage tanks. The size of these tanks means that they often work at great heights. Construction boilermakers work with hand and power tools. They often work in cramped, noisy conditions and can be exposed to chemical vapours.

Pattern makers create plans for assembling full-scale industrial products in factories for shipbuilding, automotive manufacturers, and parts manufacturers. They divide patterns into sections, mark materials for machining, form parts, and assemble parts. They work closely with engineering or drafting departments, as well as the production area.

Tool or tooling makers repair the specialized equipment used in manufacturing to build industrial and consumer products. They must be skilled at reading engineering drawings and specifications, setting up machine tools using computer programming, and testing tools such as gauges, jigs, and other mechanical devices to make sure they are cutting and shaping parts precisely.

Metal fabricators or fitters cut, shape, and assemble steel. Their products can be used in buildings, bridges, tanks, boilers, and pressure vessels. Metal fabricators make patterns and templates to ensure their work is precise. Some work in manufacturing plants, while others work outside on construction sites.

Reinforcing rodworkers reinforce concrete with metal bars or wire material for construction. This concrete is used in buildings, apartments, highways, bridges, and other large structures. Rodworkers must be skilled at reading blueprints, using power tools, and rigging and hoisting steel and other reinforcing materials.