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Fabricator jobs in the United Kingdom

Metal/steel fabrication for workshop and (sometimes) site work: marking-out, cutting, assembly to drawings, fit-up, and quality checks. Welding (MIG/TIG/MAG) can be part of the role depending on the employer and test results.

Manufacturing & Industrial Mid-level Sponsorship: employer-dependent (indicative) English CV required
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Build / Upload CV (Required) Contact
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must already have the right to work in the UK, or apply only to roles where an employer can sponsor (this depends on the client, the role scope and compliance checks).
Typical gross pay (brutto) £15.00–£20.50 / hour (indicative, varies by test, shift, location)
Work pattern Days, rotating shifts, or nights depending on site demand
Core skills Measuring, marking-out, drawing reading, fit-up, safe tool use
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Note: Pay and conditions are shown in gross terms (before tax/NI). Final offers depend on employer, location, shift pattern, and trade test outcome.

What Fabricators typically do (UK workshop & site)

  1. Marking-out: interpret drawings, set datums, measure and mark accurately.
  2. Preparation: cut, drill, bevel, grind, deburr; prep parts for fit-up and welding.
  3. Assembly & fit-up: align components, clamp/tack, keep squareness and tolerances.
  4. Quality checks: verify dimensions, visual checks, report defects early.
  5. Safe delivery: follow SOPs, use PPE, keep tools maintained, protect materials.

Exact scope varies: structural steel, sheet metal, frames, platforms, brackets, industrial assemblies.

A realistic view of gross pay (brutto)

  • Indicative gross range: £15.00–£20.50/hour for many Fabricator profiles (site, shift and test dependent).
  • Experienced / tested profiles: may push above £20/hour gross, especially with night shifts or niche sectors.
  • Overtime: availability depends on production load; premiums are employer-specific.
How employers decide your rate
  • Trade test result (accuracy, time, weld quality if applicable)
  • Materials and thickness range you worked with
  • Shift pattern (days vs. nights/rotating)
  • Location and sector (structural, sheet, industrial)

Detailed requirements (competency checklist)

Area What is expected Evidence on CV (examples)
CV & communication English CV is mandatory. English level must be sufficient for safety briefings, instructions, and reporting issues. Role history, responsibilities, tools, materials, thickness range, and outcomes. Mention English level realistically.
Drawing reading Understand dimensions, views, basic symbols; follow a build sequence and maintain datums/tolerances. “Assembled frames/structures to engineering drawings; maintained tolerances; used datums and jigs.”
Measuring & marking-out Accurate measurement, marking, and verification (tape, square, calipers; role-dependent). Tools used; typical tolerance expectations; examples of mark-out tasks.
Fabrication tools Safe use of grinders, drills, saws, clamps; preparation steps (deburr, bevel, clean). Workshop equipment used; safety approach; material handling experience.
Fit-up & assembly Clamp/tack/alignment discipline; squareness checks; avoid distortion; keep assemblies consistent. Project examples: frames, platforms, structural members, sheet assemblies.
Welding (if part of role) MIG/MAG/TIG can be required; employers may test. Quality expectations depend on sector. Processes used; material types; thickness; production vs. coded work (only if true).
Safety & quality Follow site rules, PPE, housekeeping, defect reporting, and basic quality checks. Safety training, shift work experience, quality routines, inspection steps.
Eligibility Right to work in the UK (or a role/employer where sponsorship is possible). Employer decides based on compliance and role scope. State your current status accurately; highlight relevant documents/route if applicable.
Fast disqualifiers (avoid wasting your time)
  • No CV in English.
  • Cannot explain what you fabricated, to what drawings, and with what tools/materials.
  • Unwillingness to follow safety rules or poor attitude to quality checks.

UK work conditions (practical)

  • Holiday: statutory paid leave is typically 5.6 weeks per year (pro-rated by working pattern).
  • Working hours: the weekly average limit is commonly referenced as 48 hours; opt-out is voluntary (role-dependent).
  • Breaks: a minimum rest break applies when working longer shifts; exact policy is set by the employer within legal rules.
  • Nights: additional limits apply to night work averages; employers manage schedules for compliance and safety.

This section is informational; your contract and site policy govern the final details.

Screening & trade tests

  • Measuring/marking-out exercise (accuracy and method).
  • Assembly/fit-up to a simple drawing (sequence and tolerance discipline).
  • Weld test (only if welding is in scope): MIG/TIG/MAG as required.
  • Safety and quality questions (PPE, housekeeping, defect reporting).
Tip: Put your tools, materials (steel/stainless/aluminium), thickness range and typical products on the CV. It accelerates matching.

How to apply (MaViAl process)

  1. Build or upload your English CV.
  2. We review your fabrication profile and match it to current UK demand.
  3. If a client requests: trade test / interview.
  4. Offer stage: pay (gross), shifts, start date, and compliance checks.

Go to CV page (Required)

A short “role story” (anti-template narrative)

In UK fabrication environments, reliability is not only “speed” — it is repeatability. The strongest Fabricators are the ones who keep measurements clean, hold datums, prevent distortion, and communicate early when a drawing detail or material condition will affect build quality. That combination (accuracy + discipline + safe tool use) is exactly what trade tests aim to reveal.

Related roles in Manufacturing & Industrial

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FAQ — Fabricator jobs in the UK

Do I need an English CV to apply?

Yes. An English CV is mandatory. Without a CV, matching and client screening cannot be performed, so the profile is not considered.

What experience level is expected?

Most Fabricator roles expect practical fabrication experience: drawing-based assembly, accurate measuring/marking-out, and safe use of workshop tools. Welding can be required depending on the client and sector.

Are trade tests common?

Often, yes. Employers may test measurement/marking-out, fit-up to a drawing, and (if welding is in scope) a MIG/TIG/MAG weld test. Tests vary by employer and site rules.

Can non-UK candidates apply and is sponsorship possible?

Non-UK candidates can apply if they already have the right to work in the UK, or if an employer can and chooses to sponsor for a suitable route. Sponsorship is always employer- and role-dependent.

What gross hourly pay is realistic?

Indicatively, many Fabricator profiles cluster around the mid-teens to around £20+ per hour gross depending on experience, tests, sector, location and shift pattern. Overtime and night premiums (if offered) are employer-specific.

Next step: Submit your CV. Then MaViAl can screen your profile against current UK demand and client requirements.