What skills does a sheet metal worker need?

A sheet metal worker needs 20 essential skills including metal joining technologies, types of metal, metal thermal conductivity, rivet types, work ergonomically. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace sheet metal worker jobs?

The AI disruption score for sheet metal worker is 26/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Manufacturing & ProductionMetal, machinery and related trades workersISCO 7213

sheet metal worker

Sheet metal workers in construction use sheet metal to construct roofs, ducts for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, gutters and other metal structures. They read plans and determine the type and amount of materials to be used, then measure, bend, cut, shape, and attach pieces of sheet metal to create the required structure.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (20)

metal joining technologiesmetal joining technologiesThe various technologies used for the joining and assembling of fabricated metal workpieces.types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.metal thermal conductivitymetal thermal conductivityThe property of metals to conduct heat.rivet typesrivet typesThe various types of rivets used in manufacturing, such as solid head rivets, blind rivets, drive rivets, semi-tubular rivets, oscar rivets, flush rivets, and others.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.apply arc welding techniquesapply arc welding techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of arc welding, such as shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, and others.use metalworking toolsuse metalworking toolsUse the appropriate metalworking tools to manipulate metal objects or surfaces. Use adequate instruments to grind, smoothen or sharpen metals.apply spot welding techniquesapply spot welding techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of welding metal workpieces under pressure exercised by electrodes, such as projection welding, radius style electrodes spot welding, concent...inspect construction suppliesinspect construction suppliesCheck construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.align componentsalign componentsAlign and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.use sheet metal shearsuse sheet metal shearsUse specialised heavy duty shears to safely cut sheet metal objects.operate handheld riveting equipmentoperate handheld riveting equipmentOperate various kinds of tools and equipment used in riveting processes, such a pin hammer and a rivet set, handheld squeezers, a hammer and bucking bar, a pneumatic hammer, a rivet gun, and others.follow health and safety procedures in constructionfollow health and safety procedures in constructionApply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.interpret 3D plansinterpret 3D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.recognise signs of corrosionrecognise signs of corrosionRecognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.use safety equipment in constructionuse safety equipment in constructionUse elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident do...clip sheet metal objects togetherclip sheet metal objects togetherUse sheet metal clips to securely clip sheet metal objects together.interpret 2D plansinterpret 2D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.tend metal sawing machinetend metal sawing machineTend sawing machine designed for metal cutting processes, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...

Optional (29)

cutting technologiescutting technologiesThe variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.mechatronicsmechatronicsMultidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the ...roboticsroboticsThe branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and over...metal smoothing technologiesmetal smoothing technologiesThe various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces.automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.operate automated process controloperate automated process controlOperate process control or automation system (PAS) used to control a production process automatically.anchor sheet metalanchor sheet metalSet sheet metal objects securely into place using a variety of anchors.operate manual planeroperate manual planerOperate a non-automatic or semi-automatic, manual planer for cutting workpiece surfaces, making them levelled.apply brazing techniquesapply brazing techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of brazing, such as torch brazing, braze welding, dip brazing, and others.transport construction suppliestransport construction suppliesBring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.work in a construction teamwork in a construction teamWork as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible ma...ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.operate rust proofing spray gunoperate rust proofing spray gunOperate a semi-automatic or handheld spray gun designed to provide the surface of a workpiece with a permanent, corrosion-protective finishing coat, safely and according to regulations.maintain robotic equipmentmaintain robotic equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in robotic components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing rob...install heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration ductsinstall heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration ductsInstall ducts to deliver and remove air. Determine whether the duct should be flexible or not, and select the appropriate material based on projected usage. Waterproof and airproof the duct and insula...monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment...shape sheet metal objectsshape sheet metal objectsUse the appropriate tools and measurements to bend, fold and curve sheet metal objects into the correct shape.tend punch presstend punch pressTend a punch press, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.maintain mechatronic equipmentmaintain mechatronic equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in mechatronics components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storin...replace defect componentsreplace defect componentsRemove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.operate oxy-fuel cutting torchoperate oxy-fuel cutting torchOperate a cutting torch fueled by oxyacetylene gas safely to perform cutting processes on a workpiece.remove rust from motor vehiclesremove rust from motor vehiclesWash the surface of the chrome to remove the dirt by using sponge. Scrape the rust off from the more difficult areas using an abrasive material such as steel wool. Apply chrome polish to buff out mino...keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.process incoming construction suppliesprocess incoming construction suppliesReceive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.cut metal productscut metal productsOperate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.program a CNC controllerprogram a CNC controllerSet up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.set up temporary construction site infrastructureset up temporary construction site infrastructureSet up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water sup...operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.