SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Boat Builder
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  • Fiberglass Laminator
  • Fiberglass Technician
  • Fiberglasser
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  • Lamination Technician
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What do Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators do?

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators are skilled professionals who specialize in the production and assembly of fiberglass products. They work with composite materials, primarily fiberglass, which is a combination of glass fibers and resin, to create various items ranging from automotive parts to boat hulls, industrial tanks, and architectural components. These craftsmen are responsible for laying out, cutting, and molding the fiberglass materials, applying layers of resin, and manipulating the fiberglass to achieve desired shapes and structural integrity.

In their role, they utilize a variety of tools and techniques to ensure that products meet specific quality standards and design specifications. This includes processes such as hand lay-up, spray-up, and vacuum bagging. Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators must have a good understanding of the properties of different types of fiberglass and resins, as well as the safety protocols associated with handling these materials. Their work is crucial in industries where lightweight yet strong materials are essential for performance and durability.

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators often collaborate with engineers and designers to provide input on material choices and manufacturing techniques, ensuring that the final product not only meets aesthetic requirements but also functions effectively in its intended application. The career can involve working in manufacturing settings, construction sites, or even remotely, depending on the projects they are involved in. Successful professionals in this field often exhibit a strong attention to detail, physical stamina, and the ability to work with their hands in a variety of conditions.

What the work actually is

  • Release air bubbles and smooth seams, using rollers.
  • Spray chopped fiberglass, resins, and catalysts onto prepared molds or dies using pneumatic spray guns with chopper attachments.
  • Mix catalysts into resins, and saturate cloth and mats with mixtures, using brushes.
  • Check completed products for conformance to specifications and for defects by measuring with rulers or micrometers, by checking them visually, or by tapping them to detect bubbles or dead spots.
  • Pat or press layers of saturated mat or cloth into place on molds, using brushes or hands, and smooth out wrinkles and air bubbles with hands or squeegees.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

Knowledge

  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Chemistry Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma
Some college, no degree

A normal week

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Word processing software Microsoft Word
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Tools

  • Paint sprayers High-volume low-pressure HVLP spray guns · Paint spray guns · Pneumatic spray guns
  • Feed or drive rollers Fiber reinforced polymer FRP rollers · Pressure-fed roller applicators
  • Power screwguns Power drivers
  • Utility knives Trimming knives
  • Paint systems ovens Curing ovens

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators earn in South Africa?

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators do?

Release air bubbles and smooth seams, using rollers, Spray chopped fiberglass, resins, and catalysts onto prepared molds or dies using pneumatic spray guns with chopper attachments and Mix catalysts into resins, and saturate cloth and mats with mixtures, using brushes.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.