Mechanical Fitter: What is the work like?

Mechanical Fitters and Engineers work throughout the engineering sector, servicing and repairing machinery and equipment on a range of industrial sites such as coal fired power stations, nuclear power station and petrochemical sites.

Fitters work on mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and computerised systems to guard against the failure of components or to install new plant.

Your work as a mechanical fitter would fall into one of two areas - preventative (planned) maintenance and emergency (breakdown) maintenance.

Typical duties would include:

• Fabricating and assembling components into finished mechanical goods
• Marking out, cutting and drilling products with power tools
• Carrying out basic servicing and repairs to mechanical equipment
• Applying treatments to products - like using heat to harden components
• Cleaning parts using chemical solutions
• Installing plant and systems

Working in preventative maintenance, your duties might involve:-

• Making scheduled checks on machinery and parts, finding and fixing faults and recalibrating instruments
• Regular maintenance work such as oiling, cleaning and identifying parts in need of minor repairs
• Carrying out scheduled overhaul and replacement of parts that have reached the end of their working life

Emergency maintenance tasks might include:

• Responding immediately to machinery breakdowns
• Fixing faults on site or arranging for replacement equipment to be installed

You would use manufacturer's technical manuals and diagrams to help locate faults and carry out the work with a range of testing instruments and tools, including welding equipment. You would normally work closely with engineering technicians and shift supervisors. You might also carry out basic quality checks as part of your work.

Mechanical Engineering Fitter: What are the hours I will be expected to work?

You will normally work 37 to 40 hours, five days a week. Shiftwork and overtime are common, with extra hours often being needed to meet deadlines or seasonal peaks during power station outages.

Your work could be indoors in a power station or outdoors in all weathers. While repairing equipment on, for example, a petrochemical site you may have to deal with high temperatures or fumes. You will always wear protective clothing, which could include overalls, hats and safety boots, and use safety equipment at all times.

Mechanical Engineering Fitter: What general skills and interests will I need?

• Good practical skills
• Good problem solving skills
• An understanding of technical manuals and engineering diagrams
• Communication skills
• The ability to work quickly under pressure, and to deadlines
• The initiative to work on your own or as part of a team
• Good eyesight and normal colour vision
• A knowledge of health and safety issues
• A willingness to work on a variety of tasks
• A reasonable level of fitness
• The ability to concentrate during repetitive tasks

Mechanical Engineering Fitter: What kind of work might this lead to?

There is a steady demand for experienced fitters with engineering and manufacturing companies in most areas of the United Kingdom. There are also opportunities to work abroad on contracts for multi-national companies, particularly in the EU, the USA, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Mechanical Engineering Fitter: What kinds of qualifications will employers look for?

A common way into this type of work is to start as an engineering apprentice.