Machine fitters

Overview

Machine fitters fit, assemble and otherwise build heavy industrial machinery and transportation equipment, including aircraft engines. They are employed in industrial machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Read and interpret blueprints, sketches and diagrams to determine assembly operations

  • Fit and assemble prefabricated metal parts to build heavy industrial machinery and equipment such as construction, farming, and processing machinery, railway vehicles and aircraft engines

  • Move and align subassemblies and components using lifting and transporting devices such as overhead cranes

  • Install major components such as gears, pumps, motors or hydraulic assemblies

  • Inspect parts, subassemblies and finished products to ensure quality.

Job titles

  • agricultural machinery builder
  • agricultural machinery fitter
  • aircraft engine assembly fitter
  • aircraft engine fitter
  • assembly fitter
  • assembly mechanic-fitter lead hand

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition

Annual salary

Low

-

Median

$88,000

High

-

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

10

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.

  • Completion of a mechanical apprenticeship program, such as millwrighting, machining, pipefitting, automotive service or heavy equipment repair or Completion of a four-year machine fitter apprenticeship program or Completion of five years of on-the-job training is usually required.

  • Completion of a two- to three-year college program in aircraft manufacturing or general fabrication is required for aircraft engine fitters.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Certification requirements

Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Machine fitters in B.C.

  • Skilled Trades Certification - Machine Fitters

Skilled Trades Certification - Machine Fitters

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a machine fitter in B.C., you may need a SkilledTradesBC certification demonstrating that you have completed the necessary technical training and work experience part of your apprenticeship program.

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Post-secondary programs in B.C.

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