What do artisans do?

Artisans do jobs similar to technicians but they generally have a more practical focus. Artisans are often considered the backbone, the main strength, in the engineering industry.

Technicians sometimes say that their jobs demand more responsibility than the position of an artisan.

A diesel mechanic works in the motor industry and must be able to work out what is wrong with an engine and then fix it. He must also know how to look after an engine so that it does not break down.

He needs to understand a detailed manual to repair engines. Most of the time he needs to know how to use all kinds of tools like torque wrenches and spanners. He must be familiar with testing equipment as well as measuring equipment.

A diesel mechanic is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the diesel engines of earthmoving equipment, trucks, generators, pumps, drill rigs, and even engines out at sea. this same trade, but in the metal industry, is called diesel fitting.

A welder joins two or more pieces of metal together but, in order to do this, she needs to know how metals react under different temperatures. There are also different welding processes. A welder must be able to spot weak areas in metallic joins and fix them.

Welders know about electrodes and filler-wire compositions and must know how to store and dry electrodes and fluxes. Welders often work on nuclear reactors. pressure vessels, motor cars, oil rigs, and turbine castings. To become a welder you need to have a standard 8 or N1 with mathematics.

A fitter and turner makes things with different materials. She has to work from drawings or models which means that she understands information in three dimensions. She will dismantle a machine, work out what is wrong, and have to make parts like shafts, threads, bushes, and couplings, and must pay great attention to detail to do a job well.

To apply for your apprenticeship as a fitter and turner you need to have a standard 8 certificate or N3 with mathematics. This is a higher requirement than most apprenticeships. If you want to be a turner, or someone who works on lathes, you need to have a Standard 9 or N2 with mathematics.

You need a Standard 8 or N2 with mathematics if you want to be a fitter, someone who assembles and repairs machines using files, hammers, hacksaws, pliers, and various measuring instruments.

An electrician must be able to make various electrical parts and read and understand diagrams of electrical circuits and wiring diagrams. An electrician also needs to know all the current wiring regulations.

He must be able to use electrical and electronic testing equipment and measuring instruments. Because electricians have to assemble, wire, install, and maintain various electrical components and equipment, they must know all about the various types of conductors and cables.

Boilermakers or structural platers have to be able to read a drawing and make parts for machines. He works with big sheets of metal and once he has worked out the diagram and measured and marked it on the metal, he cuts it with equipment such as cutting torches and guillotines.

Sometimes the metal has to be bent and this is done using bending brakes, rolling machines, or by heating it.

A millwright works in the electrical and mechanical fields. He carries out maintenance work on production machines, electrically-driven machines, and electrical control gear.

This means that he has to work out problems with the machinery, often by dismantling it and making temporary repairs. A millwright also needs to know how to install new machinery, particularly electrical equipment.