Are you interested in the mechanical engineering fields? This Certificate will prepare you for work in trades traditionally referred to as fabricators, sheet-metal workers, boilermakers, steel construction, and fitter-welders. It provides a solid foundation in engineering and fabrication skills such as measurement, tools, materials and metals, engineering sketching and drawing, trade calculations, welding processes, fitting, assembly, scaffolding, basic fabrication operations, forces and stresses, pressure vessels, pattern development, computer numerical control, job costing and first aid, occupational health and safety. Students may choose to specialise in Heavy or light fabrication or steel construction or building services. The Heavy Fabrication strand is intended for fabricators working with heavier gauge plate, sections and pipes, to produce a wide variety of products including pressure vessels. The Light Fabrication strand is for fabricators working with sheet metals and lighter gauge plate, sections and pipes to produce a large variety of metal products. The Steel Construction strand is similar to the Heavy Fabrication strand, but is specifically for fabricators who manufacture and install structural steel components for building and civil engineering projects.

This qualification is to provide the mechanical engineering, construction, manufacturing, and fabrication industries with people who have sufficient underpinning knowledge, understanding, and practical skill to work under limited supervision as operators or trade assistants within their chosen discipline. It is designed for people already working in the industry or people intending to complete a pre-trade qualification before entering the industry. Graduates of this qualification will be able to work (under limited supervision) in an operator or trade assistant role in their area of specialisation, in the mechanical engineering, construction, mechanical building services, manufacturing, or fabrication industries. Roles may include: Building Services technician, CNC Machine Operator, Mould and Core Maker, Furnace Operator, Machine Operator, Specialist Production Welder, Metal Worker/Fabricator, Ducting Fabricator, Pipe Fitter/Welder, Metal Polisher and Pattern Maker Trade Assistant.