Pennsylvania's metal fabrication pathway develops students' expertise in cutting, shaping, and joining metal materials. Pennsylvania's diverse fabrication industry serves structural steel, mechanical equipment, aerospace, and other sectors. Students learn metal properties, cutting techniques, joining methods, finishing, and quality control while developing practical skills with fabrication tools and equipment.
Metal Fabrication at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Pennsylvania's Metal Fabrication standards emphasize material selection, cutting, joining, and quality control. The framework requires proficiency with fabrication equipment and techniques. Students must understand metal properties and precision standards.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Metal Fabrication Fundamentals |
| Cutting and Forming Operations |
| Welding and Assembly |
| Advanced Metal Fabrication |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓NOCTI Welding
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- ✓OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- ✓Forklift Operator Certification
- ✓Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - Inventor
- ✓MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT)
- ✓MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Metal Fabricator
Entry LevelSalary range: $45,830 - $57,810
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Work-based learning includes apprenticeships with structural steel companies, fabrication shops, and manufacturers.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Pennsylvania CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Pennsylvania Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Pennsylvania's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Pennsylvania standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Pennsylvania
Industrial Maintenance
Pennsylvania's industrial maintenance pathway develops students' expertise in maintaining manufacturing equipment and facility systems. Manufacturing facilities across Pennsylvania require skilled maintenance technicians to keep production equipment operational. Students learn equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, electrical and mechanical repair, safety procedures, and maintenance management while developing practical skills with industrial equipment.
ManufacturingSheet Metal Fabrication
Pennsylvania's sheet metal fabrication pathway develops students' expertise in cutting, bending, and joining sheet metal materials. Pennsylvania's fabrication industry serves construction, HVAC, automotive, and other sectors. Students learn layout, cutting techniques, bending operations, joining methods, and quality control while developing practical skills with sheet metal tools and equipment.
ManufacturingWelding Technology
Pennsylvania's Welding Technology pathway prepares students for high-demand careers in manufacturing, construction, and fabrication. The program covers multiple welding processes including SMAW (stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), and flux-cored arc welding, along with cutting techniques, blueprint reading, and metallurgy. Students develop skills in various welding positions and with different materials, from mild steel to aluminum and stainless steel. Training emphasizes weld quality, inspection procedures, and adherence to American Welding Society (AWS) codes. Pennsylvania's CTCs provide well-equipped welding facilities with excellent student-to-equipment ratios for comprehensive hands-on training. Pennsylvania's manufacturing and construction sectors create strong demand for skilled welders. The commonwealth's steel industry heritage combined with modern advanced manufacturing makes welding an especially valuable skill. The pathway offers immediate employment opportunities with competitive wages and clear advancement pathways.
ManufacturingReady to Build Metal Fabrication Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Metal Fabrication in Pennsylvania.