Is metal fabrications a good career path?
If you are thinking of a career in fabricating metals or in manufacturing for that matter, one question that you might be asking is “Is metal fabrications a good career path?” Well, it is indeed a good career path to explore and will prove to be worthwhile. What I am saying is that the pay is not the only thing to consider when you are making an educated decision on a career path.
To start with, there is the need to analyze how you think, what your strengths are, and your weaknesses. You also need to study what the job market is like. This is because the future prospects of metal fabrications, regardless of the type of industry that you are considering are pretty good.
Metal fabrications, at least five years ago, were mainly used by large industrial companies. They would get contracts from various government agencies and would install the wiring and other hardware needed in these installations. Afterward, they would assemble the products and ship them to their destinations.
However, with the advent of computer technology, and the introduction of advanced machines in the manufacturing plants, it has become possible to fabricate smaller products at a much faster rate. There are even some companies that would design and create new electronic components, and sell them to customers worldwide.
A good career path in this industry would involve working for one of these companies. If you have the necessary skills and the certification, then this could prove to be very lucrative. You would be responsible for designing the layouts for different parts and hardware. In this case, there is no need to worry about installing wires and connecting hardware. All the designs would be done by, you would just have to ensure that everything is installed properly.
However, you should keep in mind that being an employee in one of these companies is not without any risks. If you are working with toxic chemicals, then you might get affected in some way. If you are not careful enough, then there is a possibility of inhaling some dangerous fumes from the chemicals that are used. In the same way, if you do not pay close attention, there is a chance of being electrocuted. In some extreme cases, some patients have even suffered brain damage.
However, if you have the training and you are interested in this field, then you can work as a graduate engineer or as a member of the staff in fabrications companies. There are various companies that would hire you on a permanent basis if you have the required credentials.
You would find that there is a lot of competition among graduates in this field and it is important that you stand out and prove yourself to the larger extent. The best way to do this is to take up challenging assignments that would put you in the spotlight and ensure that you bring out your best work.
Of course, if you do not have the right set of skills and qualifications, you would find it difficult to secure a good job in this field. Before taking up work in this industry, it is important that you research the market well so that you know which companies are hiring. The internet is one of the best resources for this purpose.
Apart from studying, you would also be well advised to practice welding on the job. This will help you understand what is metal fabrications and would give you an idea about what kind of job you are suited for. You can always use the internet to look up job vacancies and collect relevant information so that you can apply for a job in this industry.
Types of Metal Work Jobs
- Metal Fabricator
- Machinist
- Welder
Types of Welders
There are a variety of different positions as a welder, including:
- Full Welder
- Shop Welder
- Welder Helper
Other jobs in metal fabrication include:
- Millwright
- Sheet Metal Mechanic
- Sheet Metal Layout Technician
- Industrial Mechanic
