myfuture :: Occupation Information - Metal Trades Assistant

Metal Trades Assistant
( Welder (2nd and 3rd Class) )


	Duties and Tasks Quick Facts Work Conditions Personal Requirements Related Industries Labour Market Related Jobs Earnings Related Courses Further Information State Specific Information	Adjusting a vertical borer to exact measurements
	Metal trades assistants assist metal engineering tradespeople by performing routine tasks.

Duties and Tasks

Metal trades assistants may:

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 workpieces to and from sites or workbenches
hand tools to tradespersons and hold tools not immediately required
clean and prepare working surfaces.

Quick Facts

Learning Area	Industrial Arts
Work Demand	Including dusty or polluted environment Including full use of hands/fingers Including heavy lifting Including mainly indoor work Including noisy environment Including physical effort Including standing for long periods
Work Field	Metal, Electrical and Automotive
Work Interest	Practical or Mechanical
Skill Level	Semi-skilled Jobs

Work Conditions

Metal trades assistants 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 and special eye shields. See Welder - First Class under the Engineering Tradesperson - Fabrication entry for more information.

Personal Requirements

enjoy technical and engineering activities
good with hands
enjoy working with metal
able to work as part of a team
physically fit.

Related Industries

Polymer Product and Rubber Product Manufacturing
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Construction Services

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Metal Production Assistants

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Metal Production Assistants (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Work Opportunities websites

Earnings

Income of persons working full-time, 2006

Engineering Production Process Workers
Income per Week	Number	Share (%)

$1000 or more	2,402	19.7
$400 - $599	3,696	30.3
$600 - $799	3,484	28.5
$800 - $999	1,826	15.0
Less than $400	797	6.5

This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006

Engineering Production Process Workers
Employment Status	Weekly Income ($)

Full-time	791
Part-time	331

This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Australian Industry Group
Australian Industry Group (QLD)
Australian Industry Group (VIC)
Education and Training Adviser, Australian Industry Group (Head Office)
Engineering Employers Association, South Australia
Manufacturing Skills Australia (National Office)

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Adjusting a vertical borer to exact measurements