These days almost any product you buy at a store had its finishing touches put on by an assembler. Assemblers and fabricators construct finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make a wide variety of products, in many different settings. Assemblers and fabricators typically specialize. For example: Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles. Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers use bolts, rivets and soldering equipment to build parts of products like motors, computers, and sensing equipment that require the soft touch and fine motor skills of human hands. Fiberglass laminators and fabricators apply layers of fiberglass on molds to form structures for boats, cars, and other products. They wear respirators and protective clothing for safety. Most assemblers and fabricators work in manufacturing plants, where difficult tasks may be automated or aided by power tools. However, assembly work can still involve long periods of standing, sitting, or working on ladders. While some jobs involve exposure to chemicals or fumes… ventilation systems generally minimize harmful effects. Although a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training are enough for most jobs, experience and additional education or training is needed for more advanced assembly work.
What they do:
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
On the job, you would:
Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Hand and Finger Use
put together small parts with your fingers
hold or move items with your hands
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Cooperation
Initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.