Aircraft Sheet Metal Worker

OFO No: 653202


Other names for Aircraft Sheet Metalworker:

  • Aircraft Composite Structure Worker
  • Aircraft Composites and Structures Worker
  • Aircraft Composites Worker
  • Aircraft Life Support Fitter
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Airframes)
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structural)
  • Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (Mechanical)
  • Aircraft Metal Worker
  • Aircraft Plastics and Fiberglas Worker
  • Aircraft Restorer
  • Aircraft Sheetmetal Worker
  • Aircraft Structural Fitter
  • Aircraft Structure Worker
  • Aircraft Trimmer
  • Airframe Fitter
  • Airframe Mechanic

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – All about Sheet Metal Work

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

 

What is an Aircraft Sheet Metalworker?

Aircraft Sheetmetal Workers are in demand!

An Aircraft Sheet Metalworker may also be known as a Aircraft Structures Worker.

If being part of a team that builds aircraft thrills you, then becoming an Aircraft Sheetmetal Worker or Aircraft Structural Worker may be the job for you!

Job opportunities exist in the aviation industry in South Africa and abroad.

Aircraft Sheetmetal Workers are responsible for designing patterns, cutting, shaping and putting together the metal pieces of an aircraft.  This is done by soldering and welding pieces together. They, therefore, must know about the properties of different metals.

An Aircraft Sheetmetal Worker work indoors in very clean surroundings, under very noisy conditions.

What does an Aircraft Sheetmetal Worker do?

  • follows plans
  • designs templates/patterns for cutting metal
  • measures and calculates
  • cuts metal sheets
  • bends, shapes and hammers metal into correct shapes
  • solders and welds pieces together
  • constructs and installs
  • files, sands and smooths
  • inspects for quality control – pieces must fit together perfectly

Are you … ?

  • good with your hands?
  • interested in aircraft?
  • technical?
  • mathematical?  Have a good sense of geometry?
  • neat and accurate?
  • a person with good eye-hand co-ordination?
  • physical fit?

How do I become an Aircraft Sheetmetal Worker?

PATH 1

  • Apprenticeship
  • Trade Test

PATH 2

  • Learnership – Aircraft Composite Structures Technician Level 2, 3 and 4
  • Trade Test

PATH 3

  • National Certificate: Engineering Studies – N1, N2 and N3
  • These can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges
  • Workplace experience
  • Trade Test

PATH 4

  • Artisan Internship
  • Trade Test

PATH 5

  • RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
  • If you have already been working a long time as a Aircraft Sheet Metalworker without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
  • Trade Test

Here are some other examples:

  • DENEL CENTRE FOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT (DCLD):  (Kemptonpark)

Offer a 95-208 week apprenticeship as an Aircraft Structural Worker:

Minimum requirements:  Grade 10 (N1) with Mathematics and Science

  • TSHWANE SOUTH COLLEGE

Offers an Aircraft Sheet Metal Workshop training programme in partnership with AERO SUD Industries.

The training is presented on two levels

Basic Sheet Metal hand skills (2 weeks)
Aircraft Sheet Metal Technology (6 weeks)

TRAINING:

  • CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
  • Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
  • To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
  • CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Aerospace Operations Technician … or … Automotive Sheet Metal Worker

Is becoming an Aircraft Sheetmetal Worker the right career choice for me?