How to become a Metal Trades Assistant
Metal trades assistants assist metal engineering tradespeople by performing routine tasks.
Personal requirements for a Metal Trades Assistant
- Enjoy technical and engineering activities
- Good with hands
- Enjoy practical and manual activities
- Able to work efficiently
- Able to work as part of a team
- Safety-conscious
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job.
Duties & Tasks of a Metal Trades Assistant
Metal trades assistants may perform the following tasks:
- Position and hold metal stock or products to enable work to be carried out
- Perform assembly and dismantling operations, such as screwing or bolting
- Solder or spot-weld components using electrical spot or butt welding machines
- Operate power hammers, presses or other cutting and shaping tools and machines
- Transport tools, materials and work pieces to and from sites or workbenches
- Hand tools to tradespersons and hold tools not immediately required
- Clean and prepare working surfaces.
Working conditions for a Metal Trades Assistant
They may specialise as boilermakers' assistants, fitters' assistants, metal forgers' assistants, metal moulders' assistants, or as second-class or third-class welders. The work involves standing and lifting. Welders work in workshops or production areas. Their work is at times carried out in confined spaces. Potential employees must demonstrate awareness of personal and industrial safety and wear supplied protective clothing, including special eye protection. See the Welder - First Class specialisation under the Engineering Tradesperson - Fabrication entry for more information.
Specializations
Metal Trades Assistant
Metal trades assistants assist metal engineering tradespeople by performing routine tasks.
