Sheet Metal Worker
Fabricate ventilation ductwork, enclosures, and precision sheet metal components from drawings — a specialist manufacturing trade with strong links to HVAC, aerospace, and food processing.
Moderate
Low
2–3 years via Level 3 apprenticeship or employer training with NVQ assessment; college Level 2 provides an entry foundation
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Sheet Metal Occupations; City & Guilds Level 2/3 Sheet Metalwork; B&ES (Building Engineering Services Association) qualification recognition; welding qualifications often added
possible
What you do
Sheet metal workers cut, bend, form, and join thin gauge metal sheet (typically steel, stainless steel, aluminium, or copper) into components and assemblies. In the building services sector, the dominant application is HVAC ductwork — fabricating rectangular, circular, and oval ventilation ducts, fittings, junctions, and attenuators from galvanised steel sheet using plasma cutters, guillotines, folders, rolls, and TDC (transverse duct connection) flanging machines. In manufacturing, sheet metal workers fabricate enclosures, covers, panels, chassis, and precision components. Food industry and pharmaceutical work requires stainless steel fabrication to hygienic standards, with polished internal surfaces and fully welded seams.
A Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Sheet Metal Occupations is the principal qualification. Entry is also via a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship (IfATE). City & Guilds offers Level 2 and 3 qualifications in sheet metalwork. Work is primarily workshop-based, with some ductwork installation taking place on construction sites. The Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA/B&ES) represents the mechanical and HVAC sector that employs most sheet metal workers.
Why this career is resilient
Every modern commercial, healthcare, and education building requires designed ventilation ductwork — and that ductwork must be fabricated and installed by workers with knowledge of pressure classes, joint types, and fire rating. While automated duct fabrication machinery handles repetitive standard sections, non-standard dimensions, complex curved fittings, and bespoke enclosures all require skilled manual work. The HVAC sector is growing rapidly due to building ventilation requirements post-pandemic, energy efficiency retrofits, and heat pump system installation. Stainless fabrication for food and pharmaceutical environments requires hygienic welding and finishing standards that cannot be achieved by unskilled workers.
A typical day
Morning: receive drawings for a new hospital ward HVAC contract — study the duct schedule, calculate blank sizes for rectangular spigot reducers, and programme the plasma cutter for the straight duct runs. Afternoon: fold and clip together a batch of rectangular ductwork on the bench, fix TDC flanges using the flanging machine, and seal all seams with mastic. End of day: hand over a completed stainless steel extract canopy hood to quality control — checking all weld seams for pinholes using dye penetrant test.
Routes in
Apprenticeship
Earn while you learn: work with an employer and study part-time, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Typically funded by the government and your employer.
Full-time college course
Study full-time at a further education college, usually for 1–2 years. You will need to fund yourself or apply for a student loan (available for Level 4+ courses).
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Sheet metal worker in ductwork fabrication: £26,000–£36,000. Stainless steel fabricator in food or pharmaceutical sector: £30,000–£42,000. Experienced ductwork fabricator and installer: £32,000–£44,000. Overtime common on large fit-out contracts.
Training costs: Apprenticeship: no tuition cost. Personal PPE (gloves, eye protection, hearing protection): £150–£300. Workshop machinery provided by employer. Some workers invest in personal hand tools (folders, snips, mallets): £200–£400.