First-Year Apprentice Metal Fabricator

• As a Red Seal tradesperson, career potential is unlimited.
• It all starts with apprenticeship; a unique opportunity to earn and learn while building your career.
• Building the life you want starts with acquiring skills that are in demand.

British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) Apprenticeship Services is launching a major industry-wide drive supporting small and medium construction employers to hire and register first-year apprentices.

This province-wide recruitment drive is administered by BCCA as part of the BCCA Apprentices Services campaign. BCCA is launching a 22-month campaign funded by the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to enable small and medium-sized employers in BC’s construction industry to hire and register first-year apprentices. As part of the service to employers, BCCA will build a pool of qualified jobseekers, provide culture training via its Builders Code program, and mentorship support through its new Building Builders initiative. Additional apprenticeship supports, advice, and resources will also be made available to successful job applicants.

About the Opportunity

British Columbia has an increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, resulting in rewarding employment opportunities. As a first-year apprentice, you will be starting a career path towards obtaining your SkilledTradesBC trade certification and Red Seal endorsement. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on training while receiving a competitive wage for your work!

A typical day as a metal fabricator could include working in a specialty fabrication shop, on an assembly line, or on-site (such as construction sites, ship-building projects, or municipal operations). Metal fabricators build, assemble, and repair products made of metals for use in a wide variety of manufacturing and construction industries. They are also experts at determining suitable metals and methods for accomplishing the desired finished product.

Day-to-day as an apprentice you could be:

• Performing physical labour related to shop/site cleaning and inventory tasks
• Practicing worksite safety and hazard prevention.
• Reading and interpreting drawings and specifications
• Operating heavy-duty and computer numerical control (CNC) metalworking machines
• Applying fabricator or fitter methods such as bolting and riveting, oxyfuel cutting, and arc tack welding
• Using shop equipment, including overhead cranes, forklifts, drilling and threading equipment, grinders, power saws, angle rolls, plate rolls, punches, shears, press brakes, and power benders

About You

BCCA Apprenticeship Services is looking for applicants interested in pursuing a career in construction as a first-year apprentice metal fabricator. The ideal candidate should be interested in starting a career path towards certification as a Red Seal metal fabricator and should be motivated to learn, reliable, and hardworking.

To succeed as a first-year apprentice metal fabricator, you:

• Are willing to follow safety guidelines at all times
• Enjoy working on your feet all day, often for long periods
• Communicate, work well with others, and follow directions well
• Enjoy working indoors or outdoors in all seasons
• Like to solve problems and build solutions
• Have good dexterity and like to work with your hands
• Are physically fit with stamina for repetitive tasks
• Are in good physical condition with good endurance
• Understand basic math
• Have experience using hand and power tools
• Have strong attention to detail

Other qualifications can include (but are not required):

• Valid BC driver’s license and reliable vehicle
• Hands-on experience in working with metal, automotive, or marine parts
• Familiarity with welding or mechanical tasks
• High school diploma and/or completion of the metal fabricator foundation or level 1 training from a SkilledTradesBC recognized post-secondary institution in BC
• Prior experience in construction (hobbies, summer jobs, or volunteer activities), agriculture or forestry, manufacturing, marine services or fisheries, municipal work, or other non-construction trades are a bonus
• Occupational First Aid training or SiteReadyBC certification

The Benefits of Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship offers a pathway to a successful career in construction. You will earn an income while gaining work-based training hours, education, and certification. Apprentices are eligible for government grants, tax credits, and employment insurance while attending training. This can help you offset the cost of training and certification and allow you to complete your apprenticeship and minimize student debt.

For more information on the benefits of apprenticeship, see SkilledTradesBC’s Apprentice Guidebook.

The starting hourly rate for first-year apprentices is usually between $17-$22/hour. It is determined by each employer and can vary depending on skills, location, and your experience. As a first-year apprentice new to a trade it is customary to begin at the bottom of the pay range but as you ‘earn and learn’ on the job, your pay will increase as you progress in your apprenticeship.

If this sounds like you, and you want to start your career in construction, we encourage you to apply today!