fabricator

A fabricator turns raw materials into finished components or products using a range of different skills. In most fabricator roles, this means working with metal. The details of the process will change depending on your workplace. 

Do you like having an overview of the whole process? In a smaller enterprise, you may be responsible for every step. On the other hand, in a larger business, you may be able to specialise in a single aspect of product creation. Nevertheless, as a fabricator, you generally carry out different tasks at every stage of the creation process:

• working from specifications provided by product designers, you begin by selecting and checking the materials you need for the job.
• once you have the materials, you cut out any necessary pieces and shape them.
• welding is an important part of a fabricator's skill set; you use it to join the pieces you've cut into the rough form of the product.
• finally, you finish the piece, smoothing out welds and making sure that it matches the specification.

Traditionally, fabricators use a combination of hand tools and more advanced technology such as welding power supplies and cutting torches. In the modern manufacturing sector, the role increasingly makes use of digital technology. So in addition to hand-shaping metal, you may also have the opportunity to learn to program the devices that produce your parts. 

Whether you use cutting-edge digital processes or more traditional methods, the goal remains the same. A fabricator's responsibility is to quickly and reliably produce components and products that meet the designer's requirements. If you like learning new tools and mastering new technology, a career in fabrication gives you lots of opportunities.

Fabrication work environments vary from small workshops to large factories. Many are busy and noisy, with multiple tasks going on at once. Are you able to maintain concentration and stay alert in fast-moving situations? As a fabricator, your attention to your surroundings and ability to keep up in a fast-paced workplace will beneficial in keeping keep you and your colleagues working safely.

Work schedules for fabricators vary from workplace to workplace. Many fabricator jobs have typical work schedules that fit into conventional office hours. 

However, in busy environments or when deadlines loom, you may work as part of a shift system, meaning you work evenings or weekends. 

If your responsibilities as a fabricator include repairs, short-notice jobs can lead to unpredictable working hours. 

The variety of different schedules available for fabricators mean that you can choose the working hours that are right for you.

If you’ve got experience in fabrication and want a new challenge, you can move on from fabrication in a number of different ways: 

• fabricators' skills overlap with those of welders, so a move into a metalworking career like mig welding or tig welding is possible. 
• if you want to use your creativity to develop products rather than build them, fabrication can be a gateway into product design. 
• another potential career path is a move into management, supervising a team of fabricators or running a workshop.

Finding your fabricator job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a fabricator is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!

The roles of fabricator and welder overlap in many ways. As a fabricator, it will be important for you to understand and be able to use welding technology. As a result, many jobs advertise themselves as "welder-fabricator" roles. However, although welding is important, it's only one technique in fabrication, alongside forging, cutting and more. Want to learn more about working as a fabricator? Then check out this article.

In manufacturing, a fabricator is anyone who produces components for products. However, because fabricator simply means "maker," some other trades use the term as well. For instance, workers who make windows and frames for installation are called window fabricators. Want to learn more about working as a fabricator? Then check out this article.

Fabrication is the production of components used to make products such as vehicles, buildings, electronics or more. It isn't product design, which is a related but separate field. Fabrication work is also not the same as assembly; assemblers create finished products from the parts fabricators make. Want to learn more about working as a fabricator? Then check out this article.

Fabricate comes from a Latin word meaning "to skilfully produce." It's sometimes simply used as a synonym for "maker" or "manufacturer." Within the modern manufacturing world, however, a fabricator is a specific role in the production process. Want to learn more about working as a fabricator? Then check out this article.

As a fabricator, you use dexterity and coordination to ensure precise work. You also rely on your knowledge of a range of techniques for cutting, shaping, joining and finishing metal and other materials. Modern fabrication processes also call for familiarity with product design software and similar digital tools. Want to learn more about working as a fabricator? Then check out this article.

Applying for a fabricator job is easy: create a randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!