Qualifications You Need for a Job in Metalworking

Are you thinking about going for a career in metal fabrication? Moving forward in your professional and educational life is a big decision, no matter what field you’re considering. To help you know what to expect, we cover some of the qualifications you need for a job in metalworking. With the help of these points, you can start acquiring the skills you need to get started in this field.

Educational Requirements

A high-school diploma or a GED is a requirement for almost all metal fabrication businesses’ entry-level positions. Most employers recommend or even call for a certificate or diploma from a community or technical college. When looking for higher-level jobs, you can expect the amount of education and experience necessary to rise as well. Employers may also require an associate degree in metal fabrication or an equivalent level of training in the field.

Recommended Experience

Similar to educational experience, metalworking shops can also require internships and apprenticeships. These experiences will give you firsthand practice in the field. Thus, these are the most direct ways of honing the education and techniques you learned and applying them to the job.

Advanced metal fabrication positions and even some entry-level jobs require a few years of experience on the job or in shadowing. This training will give you hands-on experience with the tools and equipment essential to metal shops. Even when a position doesn’t require them, internships or apprenticeships look great on a resume and can help you stand out from other applicants.

Skill Requirements

Education is mandatory for most metalworking jobs because of the invaluable skills you learn as a student. Math, reading, and critical thinking are examples of these skills. Communication and teamwork are also invaluable skills to metalworkers collaborating on workshop floors.

Some skills necessary for metalworking are more personal and may not come directly from classroom learning. You can pick up diligence, an eye for detail, precision, and good problem-solving skills through education. However, you can also gain them through real-world job experience. Moreover, it’s important to be physically fit and strong enough to operate the shop tools and machinery. Good eyesight is also ideal, though it’s not something that you can acquire through training.

Potential Jobs and Career Options

There are various metalworking careers to consider. After all, without metal fabrication, we wouldn’t have access to dozens or even hundreds of items that we use every day. Careers in sheet metal, welding, soldering, and metal machine operating are all options for applying your metalworking skills. Each position requires different levels of experience, which means that there’s mobility and flexibility to a career in metalworking.

Now that you know the qualifications you need for a job in metalworking, you can get out there and start applying or furthering your education. If you love the idea of a career that’s high-energy and provides room for growth, seek metal fabrication opportunities and education in your community.

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