You’ll have an exceptional ability to turn drawings and specifications into finished metal parts. You’ll be able to bend pipes, cut threads, and press metal with extreme accuracy. You may need to coordinate your work with other specialists – such as engineers and electrical technicians – to create complex machines and infrastructure.

Australia’s heavy haul trains can move 28,000 tonnes of ore up to 800km each journey. These powerful and complex machines require regular inspection, maintenance, and repair to keep valuable resources flowing to ports and manufacturing plants. Rail fitters become experts at repairing and manufacturing the thousands of parts needed to keep these beasts on the rails. With luck, parts can be shipped to workshops for repair. But sometimes repairs must take place trackside with just the tools and equipment available. This means fitters need to get creative while making sure their work is safe and reliable.

As an apprentice, you’ll learn your trade from experienced trainers and senior technicians. You’ll spend time in classrooms, workshops, and maintenance yards as you complete your training and start your career. Once qualified, you’ll often be in a workshop or maintenance yard with other tradespeople, technicians and engineers. You may work alone or in remote areas in some roles.

Fitters typically need a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade. If you don’t have experience or qualifications, there are many apprenticeship opportunities which provide you with all the training you’ll need. You’ll complete a vocational training course and receive a certificate level qualification while you work. Sometimes you can become a fitter if you have extensive metal fabrication experience. Fitters may go on to specialise in diesel engines, plant maintenance, or manufacturing.