How many of us pause to consider the skilled hands that spent hours putting together our prized LED TVs or MacBook computers? The nimble fingers belong to fabricators – diligent people tasked with assembling products and the parts that go into them. Aside from using their hands, these workers also rely on tools and machinery to make engines, computers, aircrafts, toys, electronic devices and other products.

Dan Davis, editor-in-chief of thefabricator.com, says it’s the thrill of thinking critically in a specified window of time that excites fabricators most.

"Based on conversations with metal fabricators, I would say the most rewarding part of the job is the ability to work with your hands and solve problems,” he says. “They listen to customers and figure out how to make a metal part work for a particular application. Every day represents new jobs and new challenges. They aren’t stuck behind a desk.”

Fabricators might work in the ship and boat building industry, but the majority of them are employed in the architectural and structural metals product manufacturing industries. Unlike industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers, fabricators typically don’t maintain and repair equipment or machinery; their chief job is to assemble and build.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -16.4% employment growth for fabricators between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 9,800 jobs will be lost.

Fabricators best gain experience through on-the-job training – a move strongly urged by Davis. He also says the best way to break into the fabricator profession is to pursue the right courses.

“In high school, this might involve industrial technology and drafting courses. In community college, this is likely to involve metal fabricating and welding classes,” he says. “At the college level, mechanical engineers and general industrial technology graduates can find work in metal fabricating facilities.”

While a high school diploma or its equivalent is sufficient to work for most fabrication companies, some employers may require an associate’s degree. Entry-level fabricators receive on-the-job training that might involve employer-sponsored technical instruction. Some employers might require their workers to take that a step further, mandating specialized training or an associate’s degree. Jobs involving electrical, electronic and aircraft and motor-vehicle products might require more formal learning at technical schools. Certifications from organizations like Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International, and IPC are not required generally, but they can bolster a fabricator’s résumé and give a leg-up in the job hunt.