Aluminum fabricators are most in demand when they have a combination of education and training in the area of metal working. This occurs through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience, which does not necessarily take place in a formal education setting. Apprenticeships are available to some aluminum fabricators in order to become more highly skilled in the field. If you desire to become an aluminum fabricator, certain skills are required such as the ability to work with machinery, to understand diagrams and to work with your hands.
A high school diploma is often required to be an aluminum fabricator, and many high schools offer metal working classes that can be helpful towards getting a job after graduation. Certain junior colleges and technical schools offer programs in fabricating that range from a few months to two years long. Take these classes to gain an edge over other potential employees that an organization is interviewing, as they teach more advanced knowledge related to metal working than will be found only through on-the-job training. Upon graduation, aluminum fabricators are often recruited into positions or can be referred to potential employers by advisers at the school, which is a helpful way to get a foot in the door of a company.
Apprenticeships are another possibility to become an aluminum fabricator, and these take place within facilities that are already doing metal work. The apprentice is assigned to an advanced aluminum fabricator for a period of time to learn the basics needed to become an aluminum fabricator. After a certain amount of time, the apprentice is able to work unsupervised, but this varies depending on the policies of the organization. This is a more hands-on approach in the path to become an aluminum fabricator than attending a college or technical school. Find apprenticeships by seeking out companies doing metal work and inquiring about whether they take on any apprentices within their facilities.
In order to become an aluminum fabricator, you must have certain natural skills such as the ability to work with your hands, as this is what you will be doing a good portion of the time. The ability to understand diagrams is also necessary to be able to work unsupervised with complex machinery. An overall satisfactory level of physical condition is required to avoid injuries and lift the requisite weight necessary to do the job correctly.