SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Sheet Metal Workers

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

  • Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installer
  • Field Installer
  • HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer)
  • HVAC Sheet Metal Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Specialist)
  • Sheet Metal Fabricator
  • Sheet Metal Installer
  • Sheet Metal Journeyman
  • Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic

What do Sheet Metal Workers do?

Sheet Metal Workers are skilled craftsmen who specialize in the fabrication, installation, and repair of products made from thin metal sheets. Their work includes constructing ductwork for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as manufacturing metal components for buildings, roofs, and industrial machinery. These professionals utilize various tools and techniques, such as cutting, bending, welding, and assembling metals, to create custom products that meet specific project requirements. Sheet Metal Workers often interpret blueprints and technical drawings to accurately shape and fit the materials, ensuring precision and quality in their constructions. These tradespeople play a crucial role in the construction and manufacturing industries, contributing to both residential and commercial projects. Their expertise is essential for ensuring effective airflow in ventilation systems, energy efficiency in buildings, and the overall structural integrity of metal installations. Additionally, Sheet Metal Workers must adhere to safety protocols and building codes, making their work both challenging and integral to the success of various engineering solutions.

What the work actually is

  • Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
  • Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
  • Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
  • Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.
  • Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • 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.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Visualization The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • 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.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • 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.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • 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
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Getting Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Computer aided design CAD software Autodesk AutoCAD · PTC Creo Parametric · Siemens NX · XY Soft Sheet Cutting Suite
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software Applied Production ProFab · JETCAM Expert · Striker Systems SS-Profile · WiCAM PN4000
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Operating system software Microsoft Windows

Tools

  • Punches or nail sets or drifts Center punches · Drifts · Hole punches
  • Metal folding machine Bar folders · Box and pan brakes · Slip roll formers
  • Shears Power shears · Ring and circular shears · Squaring shears
  • Rivet tools Dimplers · Pneumatic riveters · Pop rivet guns
  • Metal cutters Aviation snips · Hand notchers · Power notchers

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 Sheet Metal Workers earn in South Africa?

Sheet Metal Workers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Sheet Metal Workers do?

Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary, Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems and Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.

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.