Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
Occupation · NOC 2021 72104 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 72104
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 871
- Median wage, Canada
- C$29.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 801
OC<CANSTRUCTURAL<METAL<AND<PLATEWORK<FABRICA 721048<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6
About this occupation
Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters fabricate, assemble, fit and install steel or other metal components for buildings, bridges, tanks, towers, boilers, pressure vessels and other similar structures and products. They are employed in structural steel, boiler and platework fabrication plants and by heavy machinery manufacturing and shipbuilding companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Example job titles
- metal fabricator
- plater
- platework fitter
- shipfitter
- shipfitter apprentice
- steel fabricator
- structural steel fitter
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Study engineering drawings and blueprints, determine the materials required, and plan the sequence of tasks to cut metal most efficiently
- Construct patterns and templates as guides for layouts
- Lay out reference points and patterns on heavy metal according to component specifications
- Rig, hoist and move materials to storage areas or within worksite
- Assemble and fit metal sections and plates to form complete units or subunits using tack welding, bolting, riveting or other methods
- Set up and operate various heavy-duty metal-working machines such as brake presses, shears, cutting torches, grinders and drills, including computer numerical control (CNC) equipment, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill or otherwise form heavy-metal components
- Install fabricated components in final product.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in structural steel and platework fabrication is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for metal fabricators (fitters) is available, but voluntary, in all provinces.
- Trade certification for marine technicians is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
- Trade certification for piledriver and bridgeworker is available in British Columbia.
- Trade certification for boiler and related equipment assemblers and structural metal fabricators (non-construction) is available, but voluntary, in Quebec.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified metal fabricators (fitters) upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 51 |
| 2022 | 157 |
| 2023 | 165 |
| 2024 | 175 |
| 2025 | 161 |
| 2026 | 19 |
- Herman 123 LTD42
- Avantis Marine North America Inc.40
- Corporation Micro Bird inc38
- Irving Shipbuilding Inc35
- Sucro Can Canada Inc35
- Fabrication Beauce Atlas inc.29
- Modular Fabrication Inc24
- Gabadi Services Canada Inc.21
- LES ATELIERS BEAU-ROC INC.21
- City Welding Sudbury (2015) Limited20
- Waiward Industrial Limited Partnership20
- Niik Steel Inc.20
- Marmen Énergie inc.18
- Suerteksa Canada Inc.17
- Telco Steel Works Ltd.17
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 145 |
| 2025 | 95 | 15 |
| 2024 | 60 | 55 |
| 2023 | 50 | 20 |
| 2022 | 10 | 15 |
| 2021 | 15 | 5 |
| 2020 | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | 5 | 15 |
| 2018 | 5 | 125 |
| 2017 | 0 | 150 |
| 2016 | 40 | 10 |
| 2015 | 65 | 0 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 65 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 150 |
| 2018 | 130 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 70 |
| 2024 | 115 |
| 2025 | 110 |
| 2026 | 170 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 20 |
- Provincial Nominee Program80
- Canadian Experience Class70
- Federal Skilled Trades25
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$21.00 | C$29.00 | C$43.30 |
| Alberta | C$22.00 | C$33.00 | C$44.00 |
| British Columbia | C$24.00 | C$35.00 | C$46.15 |
| Manitoba | C$18.00 | C$24.00 | C$30.80 |
| New Brunswick | C$20.00 | C$25.75 | C$40.24 |
| Nova Scotia | C$21.49 | C$30.00 | C$42.00 |
| Ontario | C$20.00 | C$27.48 | C$37.00 |
| Quebec | C$20.00 | C$26.80 | C$43.46 |
| Saskatchewan | C$21.00 | C$28.00 | C$38.50 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 801
- Vacancies advertised
- 1,302
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$27.51
Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more