Essential Skills Summary
Essential skills are needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.
Through extensive research, the Government of Canada and other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine essential skills. These skills are used in nearly every occupation and throughout daily life in different ways.
The application of these skills may be described throughout this document within the skills and knowledge which support each sub-task of the trade. The following are summaries of the requirements in each of the essential skills, taken from the essential skills profile.
Reading
Metal fabricators (fitters) require reading skills to gather information from forms and labels. They also need to read to understand more complex texts such as equipment and policy and procedure manuals, specifications, codes and standards.
Document Use
Metal fabricators (fitters) locate and interpret information in several types of documents such as labels, signs, forms, lists, tables, technical drawings and specifications. They interpret fabrication drawings to determine how ferrous and non-ferrous materials should be cut and assembled by integrating plan views, elevation and section drawings as well as synthesizing information from other prints about adjacent components of the fabrication. Metal fabricators (fitters) also prepare documents such as sketches and forms.
Writing
Writing skills are used by metal fabricators (fitters) to write short texts. Examples of written work include logbook entries, quality assurance reports and production problem reports.
Oral Communication
Metal fabricators (fitters) discuss equipment maintenance and repair with suppliers, and specifications and plans with co‑workers, supervisors and general contractors. They may mentor, supervise and direct the work of apprentices. Because of constant noise, metal fabricators (fitters) may also communicate through hand signals, gestures and sometimes notes.
Numeracy
Numeracy skills are very important in the everyday work of metal fabricators (fitters). Mathematical skills are used in taking measurements, doing material layout, using formulas, preparing cut lists and preparing jigs according to specifications in fabrication drawings.
Thinking
Metal fabricator (fitters) may suggest modifications to project designs to correct flaws, for example when fabrication drawing specifications do not take into account the space needed for welds. They need the ability to think spatially and visualize in three dimensions. On the job they are required to problem solve on a regular basis, such as trouble shooting equipment problems and making repairs.
Working with Others
Metal fabricators (fitters) generally work independently to fabricate and fit metal structures following fabrication drawing specifications, though working as a team may be essential to complete large projects. Metal fabricators (fitters) co-ordinate work with supervisors, co-workers, quality control staff and with workers from other trades such as millwrights or welders.
Digital Technology
Metal fabricators (fitters) may input parameters for CNC equipment such as press brakes or cutting tables. They may also use computer technology during pattern and template development. They may need to have a basic knowledge of CAD software to prepare layouts and interpret plans and drawings.
Continuous Learning
Metal fabricators (fitters) have a need to engage in ongoing learning to acquire information about health and safety, new products, metal fabrication procedures, metal properties and quality assurance standards. They must maintain skills and certification according to industry and jurisdictional regulatory authorities. New learning is acquired as part of regular work activities, by participating in industry specific training sessions, reading trade journals and talking to other metal fabricators (fitters).