Marks out, shapes, forms and joins sheetmetal and other materials to make products and components.

Studies blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine job, material and equipment required; selects metal stocks, such as stainless steel, galvanised iron, mild steel, aluminium, copper and other metals, and checks sizes, gauges and other dimensions of metal stock against specifications; marks out metal stock with reference points and lines, using templates, gauges and other measuring instruments; cuts metal stock along guidelines using hand and power shears, guillotines and drills; shapes and forms cut metal stock into products using folding and bending machines, rollers, presses and hammers; fits and assembles components into final products by welding, riveting, soldering, brazing and otherwise joining; may repair damaged sheetmetal products and components; may specialise in fabrication, or on-site assembly and installation, of sheetmetal products; may produce aircraft sheet metal components requiring advanced drawing and calculating skills; may specialise in decorative cooperwork.

• Works indoors with good ventilation to disperse gases and other by-products.
• Patterns may be made of metal, wood, clay, plastic or epoxy resins. Many will have an engineering base and the work environment may be dirty or noisy.
• A variety of personal protective equipment including safety glasses, ear muffs, overalls, and steel-capped boots will be used as appropriate.

• The physical demand for this job is medium.
• Standing is constantly required, frequently on concrete floors. Walking is frequently required. Sitting is not required. Bending is occasionally required.
• Stretching up or across, squatting, crouching or kneeling and twisting of the body or neck are likely on an occasional basis. Lifting and carrying is frequently required but is unlikely to exceed medium physical demand.
• Repetitive movements are frequently required especially in the use of hands and arms for sanding, grinding, shaping and cutting.
• Use of a wide range of engineering, moulding, hand, power and machine tools and equipment is required, to suit the specific pattern being constructed.
• Mental skills include technical, practical and organisational skills.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.