72104

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 72 › 721 › 7210

Definition

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters fabricate, assemble, fit and install steel or other metal components for buildings, bridges, tanks, towers, boilers, pressure vessels and other similar structures and products. They are employed in structural steel, boiler and platework fabrication plants and by heavy machinery manufacturing and shipbuilding companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Study engineering drawings and blueprints, determine the materials required, and plan the sequence of tasks to cut metal most efficiently
Construct patterns and templates as guides for layouts
Lay out reference points and patterns on heavy metal according to component specifications
Rig, hoist and move materials to storage areas or within worksite
Assemble and fit metal sections and plates to form complete units or subunits using tack welding, bolting, riveting or other methods
Set up and operate various heavy-duty metal-working machines such as brake presses, shears, cutting torches, grinders and drills, including computer numerical control (CNC) equipment, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill or otherwise form heavy-metal components
Install fabricated components in final product.

Example job titles

•metal fabricator
•plater
•platework fitter
•shipfitter
•shipfitter apprentice
•steel fabricator
•structural steel fitter

Overview

Under Canada's NOC 2021 classification, NOC 72104 encompasses structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters. This occupation is classified under TEER 2, making it eligible for key economic immigration pathways such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) managed through the Express Entry system. Individuals in this role are employed by structural steel fabrication and platework shops, shipbuilding companies, and heavy equipment manufacturers where they fabricate, assemble, and fit steel and other metal components for structures like buildings, bridges, and vessels.

To meet the official Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requirements for NOC 72104, candidates typically need to complete a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or possess a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade alongside some high school or college courses. Trade certification is compulsory in Alberta and Quebec, and while voluntary in other provinces, obtaining it or a Red Seal endorsement can significantly enhance employment prospects. Typical duties include reading blueprints, operating metal-working machines like shears and punches, and assembling metal parts using welding or tack welding techniques.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official and up-to-date program requirements, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian immigration consultant.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.