Essential Skills (Essential Skills) Summary

Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.

Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.

For full descriptions of the Skills for Success including their components and proficiency levels see: Skill components and proficiency levels – Canada.ca.

The following summarizes how such skills are used in this trade. Note that the summaries below are based on the previous model (Essential Skills), and will be adapted in the next iteration of the Red Seal Occupational Standard to match the Skills for Success model.

• 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).

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