Sheet Metal Workers

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

Sample of reported job titles:
Field Installer, HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer), Sheet Metal Fabricator, Sheet Metal Installer, Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic, Sheet Metal Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
  • Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
  • Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
  • Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
  • Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.

Technology Skills

  • Computer aided design CAD software:Applied Production ProFold
    ,
    Autodesk AutoCAD
    ,
    Computer aided design CAD software
    ,
    Corte Certo
    ,
    FCC Software AutoPOL Series
    ,
    PTC Creo Parametric
    ,
    QuickPen DuctDesigner 3D
    ,
    Revcad Software Sheet Lightning
    ,
    Siemens NX
    ,
    XY Soft Sheet Cutting Suite
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software:Applied Production ProFab
    ,
    Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
    ,
    JETCAM Expert
    ,
    Merry Mechanization SMP/IS
    ,
    Striker Systems SS-Profile
    ,
    WiCAM PN4000
  • Office suite software:Microsoft Office
  • Operating system software:Microsoft Windows
  • Spreadsheet software:Microsoft Excel
    ,
    Spreadsheet software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Handling and Moving Objects:Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Performing General Physical Activities:Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Assemble products or production equipment.
  • Create construction or installation diagrams.
  • Direct construction or extraction personnel.
  • Evaluate construction projects to determine compliance with external standards or regulations.
  • Fabricate parts or components.

Work Context

  • Spend Time Standing:89% responded"Continually or almost continually"
  • Face-to-Face Discussions:84% responded"Every day"
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:82% responded"Every day"
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls:81% responded"Continually or almost continually"
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable:78% responded"Every day"

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Building and Construction:Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Administration and Management:Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
  • 60%
    High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
  • 18%
    Less than a High School Diploma
  • 13%
    Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Multilimb Coordination:The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Visualization:The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Information Ordering:The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness:The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Interests

  • Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Values

  • Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
  • Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Initiative:Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  • Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
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