What is a Fitter/Turner and How to Become One

A Fitter is a subsection of Engineering that fits together metal components to make machinery and other large scale equipment. There are a range of areas in which Fitters work including: preparing work to be done, assembling & installing and maintenance and repairing of machinery.

Some of the work that a fitter may be involved with includes repairing furniture, welding, plant room checks, hydraulics and lathes. Fitters need to be technically oriented, have good practical and co-ordination skills, able to work with others but also autonomously and be trade qualified.

Many Fitters also work as Turners who are workers primarily concerned with Lathe working with metal and wood to construct things such as cabinets and pipe. Fitters usually work with an experienced Engineer before becoming qualified and then move into a qualified position, work for a large company or become self employed.

To become a qualified Fitter an apprenticeship is usually undertaken in conjunction with completion of a trade certificate through a TAFE. To qualify a four stage certificate program in Engineering needs to cover things such as: power equipment, automotive manufacturing, fabrication and mechanical trade, production systems, toolmaking and computer numerical control, to name a few.

Fitters can demand a high salary depending on the experience level. Many work for a rate per hour wage rather than a salary per se, with the average yearly income being around $60K. As a supervisor one can demand more, up to $80K. The low level rate per hour would be around $27/hour but usually offers overtime and penalty rates above and beyond this figure, as per the industry guidelines relating to extra hours.

Find a position in the field of Fitting, Turning and Engineering and more information here.