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Shopfitter

Do you want to become a Shopfitter? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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Shopfitters are skilled workers who convert shopfitting design drawings into reality. They produce and install shopfronts and entrances, fit out the interiors of shops and stores, and construct and install exterior and interior fittings for other buildings, such as banks, offices and hotels. Shopfitters may be:

• metal and aluminium fabricators
• wood machinists who operate high-tech computer-controlled machines
• shopfitting joiners who work in the joinery workshop
• shopfitting fixers who work on site assembling the components
• 'setters out' who produce accurate scaled drawings of a job.

Shopfitting joiners and fixers use saws, hammers, planes, chisels, screwdrivers, set squares and measuring tape. They also use power tools such as drills and planers.

The basic working week is usually 40 hours, but overtime is often available and working up to 60 hours a week is not uncommon. Shopfitters work either in an office, a workshop, a machine shop or a paint shop. They may also have to travel to work on site.

Joiners, machinists and metal fabricators may need to wear basic safety equipment, such as safety helmets and protective footwear. They may also use goggles and ear defenders.

Salaries range from £9,000 for an apprentice, to around £22,500 for an experienced worker. A shopfitter should:

• have good practical skills and an eye for detail
• be able to take accurate measurements and calculate quantities of materials
• be physically fit
• work well as part of a team
• be aware of safety issues.

Entrants usually join specialist shopfitting companies to work as shopfitting joiners, wood machinists or metal and aluminium fabricators. Apprenticeships may be available.

Shopfitters can work towards the following NVQs/SVQs:

• Level 2 in Shopfitting (Site Work)
• Level 3 in Shopfitting (Bench Work)
• Level 4 in Site Management
• Level 5 in Contract Management.

It is possible for a shopfitter to progress to a supervisory or managerial role, or to transfer from the workshop to working on site.

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