Metal Fabrication

CampusStart DateTuition/Fees
MonctonSeptember 2025 (Blended Delivery)
 
Domestic | International

Program Overview

Steel is one of the world’s ultimate building materials. And working with metal is one of the oldest and most important trades. Since the early days of metal working, skilled fabricators have played a huge role in our evolution. Today, the work they do still impacts almost every facet of our lives. Steel fabrication is a big industry where you can build big things from buildings to ships, bridges and more. If you have an eye for precision, strong math skills and manual dexterity, you have the raw materials to be a great steel fabricator.

Our program immerses you in every step of the fabrication process. You’ll learn how to cut, form, bend, assemble, erect and weld metals. You’ll work with metal fabrication tools, machinery and modern technology to master the skills that will make you a great addition to any fabrication team specializing in your area of interest. Enroll today to become a skilled professional who can literally shape how things come together in the world.


Duration

The requirements for this diploma program may be achieved within two years of full-time study.


Admission Requirements

    Profile A

  • High School Diploma or Adult High School Diploma or GED Diploma of High School Equivalency or Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) or Essential Skills Achievement Pathway: Post-Secondary Entry High School Diploma

    NB Francophone High School Math Equivalencies
    International Student Admission Equivalencies


    Career Possibilities

    Steel fabricators can find work in fabrication shops and manufacturing facilities that produce products for a wide variety of industries. Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters fabricate, assemble, fit and install steel or other metal components for buildings, bridges, tanks, towers, boilers, pressure vessels and other similar structures and products.
     
    If you enjoy working with technology and machinery, metalworking and forging machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form light and heavy metal into parts or products. Heavy metalworking machine operators are employed by structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies, heavy machinery manufacturing companies and in the shipbuilding industry. Experienced steel fabricators also have opportunities to move into CAD design, project estimating and project management as their careers advance.

    Find career possibilities related to this program in Career Coach.



    Specific Considerations

    Some structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters may also be certified as skilled welders. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

    Technology Requirements
    NBCC is a connected learning environment. All programs require a minimum specification, including access to the internet and a laptop. Your computer should meet your program technology requirements to ensure the software required for your program operates effectively. Free wifi is provided on all campuses.


    Areas of Study

    • WHMIS
    • Occupational Health and Safety
    • Portable and Stationary Power Tools
    • Shop Safety
    • Benchwork
    • Fabrication Equipment
    • Material Preparation
    • Metallurgy
    • Cutting and Gouging Processes
    • SMAW Welding
    • Semi-Automatic Welding Processes (FCAW, GMAW)
    • Manual Welding Processes (SMAW, GTAW)
    • Layout and Developments
    • Blueprint Reading
    • Rigging and Hoisting
    • Mathematics
    • Communication for Trades
    • Work Practicum


    Program Courses

    Courses are subject to change.

    Students learn the practices related to safe use and care of hand tools and measuring and layout instruments. They identify structural steel shapes, know the practices used in cutting metals using hand or manually operating cutting equipment, follow standard practices for drilling, reaming, and threading metal and uses of fasteners.

    Prerequisites:

    • SECU1221G

    In this course, students learn to safely use oxyacetylene equipment to weld joints using various electrodes.
     

    Prerequisites:

    • IPTI1030H
    • SECU1221G

    This course orients students to the safe practices for handling materials in the workplace.

    The purpose of this course is to refresh skills in mathematics developed through secondary programs in areas deemed essential for the successful completion of the program. Although the topics covered in this course are common to any math program, every effort is made to illustrate their usage in the trades’ professions.

    In this course, the students are presented with a balance of theoretical mathematics and applied mathematics. Instructional emphasis is focussed on the information, principles and formulas required to perform trade related mathematical calculations.

    Prerequisites:

    • MATH1208D

    Students employ knowledge related to metallurgical principles in carrying out practices to control the expansion and contraction of metals.

    Prerequisites:

    • SECU1221G

    Students acquire safe handling skills in the use of portable power tools and small stationary power tools.

    Prerequisites:

    • IPTI1030H
    • SECU1221G

    Learners acquire the essential requirements for the use and maintenance of stationary power shearing equipment, and iron worker type equipment. They also learn how to operate manual, mechanical bending, and rolling equipment safely

    Prerequisites:

    • PRLP1058F

    Learners acquire the essential requirements for the use and maintenance of press brake equipment. They also learn the types and uses of roll forming equipment, and how to operate manual, mechanical bending, and rolling equipment safely.
     

    Prerequisites:

    • META1142A

    The purpose of the practicum is to provide learners with a direct, supervised practical experience. Such an experience enables learners to apply the knowledge acquired during their training directly to their field of study. The practicum exposes the learners to the trade environment and participants are expected to become members of the team in the industry site to which they are attached.

    This course provides an introduction to the meaning of community service.  Students learn how community service can enhance a student’s educational experience, personal growth, employability, and civic responsibility. Students participate in one day of volunteering to enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and to help the New Brunswick Community College realize its vision of transforming lives and communities. 

    In this course, students focus on applying communication skills in reading, writing, speaking, document use, and critical thinking to make occupation-specific communication effective and efficient while developing computer-related skills necessary to be successful in college and on the job.
     

    In this course, students focus on acquiring job search skills to gain a work-term placement as well as employment while also, developing interpersonal communication skills needed to grow their career.
     

    This course is designed to provide students with the skills to sketch and read blueprints to extract information. Students learn to interpret information from blueprints and use proper instruments and techniques to produce drawings.

    Upon completion of this course, students will understand the theory required for the interpretation and use of welding symbols and abbreviations.

    Upon completion of this course, students know the theory required to interpret and perform detailing practices on various structural components, as per detail drawings.

    Prerequisites:

    • PRLP1063C

    Upon completion of this course, learners will implement skills commonly used to sketch simple drawings.
     

    Prerequisites:

    • PRLP1058F

    Upon completion of this course, learners will implement skills commonly used to sketch detailed drawings.
     

    Prerequisites:

    • PRLP1099A

    A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.

    Shielded Metal Arc Welding (S.M.A.W) is one of the oldest and most common welding process.  Through a combination of classroom theory and hands-on shop time, students learn the basic principles and techniques associate with S.M.A.W.  At the end of this course, students will be able to select and safely use the proper equipment to strike and maintain an arc.
     

    Prerequisites:

    • IPTI1030H
    • SECU1221G

    This course builds upon the knowledge and skills covered in WDSO1125.  It covers Shielded Metal Arc Welding (S.M.A.W.) procedures for the deposit of all position fillet welds.

    Prerequisites:

    • WDSO1125E
    • SECU1221G

    This course is designed to introduce the student to the gas metal arc welding/flux-core arc welding (GMAW/ FCAW) processes.

    Prerequisites:

    • WDSO1126D
    • SECU1221G

    This course prepares students for depositing groove welds in the flat and horizontal position with Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Flux-Core Arc Welding (FCAW) processes and Metal-Core Arc Welding (MCAW) processes.

    Prerequisites:

    • WDSO1127D


    NOC Codes

    72104 - Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
    72105 - Ironworkers
    72106 - Welders and related machine operators
    94105 - Metalworking and forging machine operators


    Disclaimer: This web copy provides guidance to prospective students, applicants, current students, faculty and staff. Although advice is readily available on request, the responsibility for program selection ultimately rests with the student. Programs, admission requirements and other related information is subject to change.

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