Skip to content
ESCO occupation

sheet metal worker

Back to ESCO occupations

Sheet metal workers in construction use sheet metal to construct roofs, ducts for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, gutters and other metal structures. They read plans and determine the type and amount of materials to be used, then measure, bend, cut, shape, and attach pieces of sheet metal to create the required structure.

7213.4 ISCO 7213 ESCO source
Competences
50
Groups
4
Essential
20
Optional
30

Competences and skills

50 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 4 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Cross-sector

4 competences
metal joining technologies

The various technologies used for the joining and assembling of fabricated metal workpieces.

ESCO source
metal thermal conductivity

The property of metals to conduct heat.

ESCO source
rivet types

The various types of rivets used in manufacturing, such as solid head rivets, blind rivets, drive rivets, semi-tubular rivets, oscar rivets, flush rivets, and others.

ESCO source
types of metal

Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 16 competences

Occupation specific

2 competences
clip sheet metal objects together

Use sheet metal clips to securely clip sheet metal objects together.

ESCO source
use sheet metal shears

Use specialised heavy duty shears to safely cut sheet metal objects.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

2 competences
interpret 2D plans

Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.

ESCO source
use metalworking tools

Use the appropriate metalworking tools to manipulate metal objects or surfaces. Use adequate instruments to grind, smoothen or sharpen metals.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

12 competences
align components

Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.

ESCO source
apply arc welding techniques

Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of arc welding, such as shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, and others.

ESCO source
apply spot welding techniques

Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of welding metal workpieces under pressure exercised by electrodes, such as projection welding, radius style electrodes spot welding, concentric electrodes spot welding, and others.

ESCO source
follow health and safety procedures in construction

Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

green
ESCO source
follow safety procedures when working at heights

Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

ESCO source
inspect construction supplies

Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

ESCO source
interpret 3D plans

Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.

ESCO source
operate handheld riveting equipment

Operate various kinds of tools and equipment used in riveting processes, such a pin hammer and a rivet set, handheld squeezers, a hammer and bucking bar, a pneumatic hammer, a rivet gun, and others.

ESCO source
recognise signs of corrosion

Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.

ESCO source
tend metal sawing machine

Tend sawing machine designed for metal cutting processes, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.

ESCO source
use safety equipment in construction

Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

ESCO source
work ergonomically

Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

ESCO source
Optional knowledge 5 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Cross-sector

5 competences
automation technology

Set of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.

digital
ESCO source
cutting technologies

The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.

digital
ESCO source
mechatronics

Multidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the design of products and manufacturing processes. The combination of these areas of engineering allows for the design and development of "smart" devices and the achievement of an optimal balance between mechanical structure and control.

ESCO source
metal smoothing technologies

The various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces.

ESCO source
robotics

The branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and overlaps with mechatronics and automation engineering.

digital
ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 25 competences

Occupation specific

2 competences
anchor sheet metal

Set sheet metal objects securely into place using a variety of anchors.

ESCO source
shape sheet metal objects

Use the appropriate tools and measurements to bend, fold and curve sheet metal objects into the correct shape.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

6 competences
maintain mechatronic equipment

Diagnose and detect malfunctions in mechatronics components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing mechatronics components in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.

ESCO source
maintain robotic equipment

Diagnose and detect malfunctions in robotic components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing robotic components in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.

digital
ESCO source
process incoming construction supplies

Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.

ESCO source
set up temporary construction site infrastructure

Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.

ESCO source
transport construction supplies

Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.

ESCO source
work in a construction team

Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

17 competences
apply brazing techniques

Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of brazing, such as torch brazing, braze welding, dip brazing, and others.

ESCO source
cut metal products

Operate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.

ESCO source
ensure equipment availability

Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.

ESCO source
install heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration ducts

Install ducts to deliver and remove air. Determine whether the duct should be flexible or not, and select the appropriate material based on projected usage. Waterproof and airproof the duct and insulate it against temperature influence to ensure maximum efficiency and prevent contamination with mould. Make the correct connections between the ducts and endpoints.

ESCO source
keep personal administration

File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.

ESCO source
keep records of work progress

Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

ESCO source
mark a metal workpiece

Handle and operate a punch and hammer to mark a metal work piece, for example for the purpose of carving a serial number, or for drilling to mark the exact place where a the hole should be places in order to keep the drill steady.

ESCO source
monitor automated machines

Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

digital
ESCO source
operate automated process control

Operate process control or automation system (PAS) used to control a production process automatically.

digital
ESCO source
operate manual planer

Operate a non-automatic or semi-automatic, manual planer for cutting workpiece surfaces, making them levelled.

ESCO source
operate oxy-fuel cutting torch

Operate a cutting torch fueled by oxyacetylene gas safely to perform cutting processes on a workpiece.

ESCO source
operate rust proofing spray gun

Operate a semi-automatic or handheld spray gun designed to provide the surface of a workpiece with a permanent, corrosion-protective finishing coat, safely and according to regulations.

ESCO source
operate soldering equipment

Use soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.

ESCO source
program a CNC controller

Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.

digital
ESCO source
remove rust from motor vehicles

Wash the surface of the chrome to remove the dirt by using sponge. Scrape the rust off from the more difficult areas using an abrasive material such as steel wool. Apply chrome polish to buff out minor scratches.

ESCO source
replace defect components

Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.

green
ESCO source
tend punch press

Tend a punch press, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.

ESCO source