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- Make and glaze a variety of items for houses, such as windows and conservatories
- You could specialise in using a particular material
- Opportunities to move into supervisory, quality control or management positions.
As a window fabricator, you'll make and glaze frames for items like windows, conservatories, doors, screens, and curtain walling. You may specialise in manufacturing, using different types of materials like UPVC, aluminium, steel, timber, or wood and aluminium composite.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Reading and interpreting computer-aided drawings and plans
- Measuring and marking out
- Setting up machinery and equipment
- Using hand, power and machine to drill, cut and assemble frames
- Installing glass into frames and adding fittings like handles and locks
- Cleaning, inspecting and packaging finished products
- Loading and unloading delivery vehicles
- Completing paperwork, including job sheets and quality assurance documents
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll work to production schedules and targets to meet customer demand. There may be opportunities to go on site to do surveys, assist with fitting or do quality control jobs.
You could work in a factory, in a workshop, at a client's business or at a client's home. Your working environment may be physically active.
You'll need
To be a window fabricator, you'll need knowledge of maths; the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools; knowledge of building and construction; thoroughness and attention to detail; the ability to use your initiative; physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity; knowledge of manufacturing production and processes; and the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.
You may be able to do an intermediate apprenticeship in window manufacturing or fenestration fabrication. You could find an apprenticeship with a company that makes glazed items for homeowners or for business and industrial customers. Employers will set their own entry requirements but are likely to expect that you have an understanding of maths for working from plans and doing simple calculations.
You could begin as a general production operative or labourer with a window manufacturer and work your way up. There are courses you can do while working to help you get into more skilled fabrication jobs. You can also start out as a window fitter and move into fabrication work.
You can also apply directly for jobs. Employers set their own entry requirements, though you'll need maths skills for measuring along with good practical skills.
Experience of general manufacturing and trades like window fitting or joinery may also be useful.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move into supervisory, quality control, or management positions. You could work in other types of manufacturing or go into product sales. You could move into jobs where you might go on site to help fix problems with fenestration products, or do surveys for customers looking to buy new ones, like conservatories.