6 Frequently Asked Questions About a Career in Fabrication

Welder at Lee

Do you like to problem solve? How about creating things from scratch? If so, have you ever considered a career in industrial fabrication? Let’s take a closer look at some frequently asked questions to discover what it takes to be a fabricator at Lee Contracting.

1. How can I become a fabricator? After you earn a high school diploma, or equivalent:

• You can apply for a fabricator apprentice opening at Lee, where workers will receive on-the-job training.
• Some aspiring fabricators choose to self-educate by taking classes such as Blueprint Reading for Welders (https://www.vdci.edu/blueprint-reading-bundle), or other welding courses to learn the trade before beginning full-time. Please note: this is not a requirement to begin your career as a fabricator at Lee.
• Many people start out in one of Lee’s 13 different in-house trades and wish to learn the art of welding. We are committed to providing team members opportunities for growth, and employees can be transferred into the fabrication department to give them the opportunity to learn a new skill.
• If you have a passion for making things, as well as a good work ethic, that’s all that’s needed to be a successful welder at Lee.

2. What certifications are required? Lee does not require any certifications to become a fabricator. However, having more welding certifications may allow you to stand out as a more valuable employee.

3. What types of projects do industrial fabricators work on? One of the best parts about working at Lee is the diversity of projects. Some other fabricators specialize in certain industries (aerospace, structural steel, machine building, etc.), and others specialize in working with a specific material (mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, heavy plate, etc.). However, our fabricators do it all!

4. What are the different types of industrial fabrication jobs at Lee? In Lee’s weld/fab department, there are a variety of roles. We have equipment operators, fabricator apprentices, fabricators, fabricator foreman and install foreman. Even some of our former fabricators have grown in the company to become estimators, who play a crucial role in our new business process.

5. How can a welder stay safe on the job? Safety is a top priority at Lee. The first step in any fabrication project is to identify potential hazards and working toward eliminating or minimizing those risks before starting production. We also require our fabricators to wear all of the necessary Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing (PPE) to keep safe on the job.

6. What is it like working as a fabricator at Lee? A fabricator at Lee can expect to be challenged daily, with the intent to grow and expand their craft. Lee is one of the best places to be a fabricator due to the diversity of the work; you never know what you may be building next! At the end of the day, being a fabricator at Lee is challenging, yet fun and rewarding.

Interested in a career at Lee? Learn more about what it’s like to work at Lee and view our current job openings here: https://www.leecontracting.com/careers/