Skip to main content
1080 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC, V3J 0M6| Phone: 604-939-9201| Contact Us
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)
Learning for a Lifetime
Staff Email my43 loginOffice 365 Legacy Webmail
Metal Fabricator (Fitter)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Occupation Description: 
Metal Fabricators (Fitters)​ build, assemble and repair products made of steel or other metals for use in a wide variety of manufacturing and construction industries. They must be familiar with the properties of metal and know how to operate specialized metalworking machines. Metal Fabricators can work for sheet metal fabrication and welding shops, and for manufacturers of structural steel, boilers, plate workers, heavy machinery and transportation equipment. They can work for shipbuilding companies and for welding, ironwork and sheet metal work contractors. Metal fabrication is a good foundational skill to have in many rapidly evolving industries, such as aviation. The work of a Metal Fabricator is often intricate and highly precise.

Application Process

November 1 to Spring Break
    • l​ook over all the information below and in the right column - get a good understanding of the pre-reqs, expectations, time commitment,    reading, math, trainin​g, etc
      • no questions... go ahead and apply for the program!
      • questions?... book an appointment with Benjamin King (district principal), to learn more
        • use the: Booking App, or
        • use the QR code in the right column
    • student completes the fillable "SD43 Application" (top link in the right column) by typing in answers and getting necessary signatures
    • submit to your counsellor at your high school

after S​pring Break to late April

    • Personal interview/conversation with Ben King at your school

​​mid-May into J​une

    • Ben King will:
      • email students conditional acceptances into the program
        • unsuccessful applicants will also are contacted
      • enroll the student at the training site(s)
      • ​​ensure counselors adjust students' timetables to reflect course/credits​
​Time Commitment
  • 2 intakes:  early September and early February​
  • 23 weeks long (no Spring Break for February​ intake)
  • 5 days a week:  Monday to Frida​y
  • 7.00am to 1.30pm or 1.30pm to 8.00pm

Student Cost

  • tuition-free, but students will need to pay about $400 for course materials, textbook, resources, etc

Location​​ & Transportation

  • BCIT "Burnaby Campus" - 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby
  • Transportation, to and from the training site, is the responsibility of the parent/guardian
    • Skytrain is the best transportation option
      ​(Skytrain to Brentwood Mall, transfer to bus for final stretch)

Pre-Requisites

  • Metal/Weld 11 and/or 12
  • a Math 11 (C+)
  • plan to complete English 12
  • good li​teracy and numeracy skills
  • excellent attendance + lates record while in high school
  • ability to stand on your feet for extended periods of time

Skills​

  • General
    • Athletic, Collaborative, Mathematical, Precise, and Tactile
  • Key Job​
    • Problem Solving & Math, Drawing & Specification Interpretation, Trade Tools & Equipment Use, Burning & Welding, and Fabricating & Metallurgy Techniques
​Student Eligibility
  • this program is made up different districts filling the 16 seats with all high school students -traditionally Coquitlam SD​43 has had 3-5 students enrolled per intake
  • students typically take this program in their grade 12 year after taking all the necessary/core grade 11 subjects... and a plan for English 12
  • students must begin a program prior to June 30 of their graduation year
    • ex 1:  a Program begins in March and runs for 23 weeks - this is okay for a current grade 12 student​ to apply to
    • ex 2:  a program will begin in September ​after a grade 12 has graduated - that current grade 12 can not apply as they will not be accepted​​
  • must have government-issued photo ID (ex: a driver's license, BC ​ID, passport) that is current/valid on the ​ITA exam date (last week or so of program)​
  • on intake date, students must be:
    • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and
    • an enrolled student in a high school (non-grad) in SD43​
  • unfortunately, international students are not able to enroll in this program

 Metal Fabrication Links
​
​​​​​