SOLAS Metal Fabrication study plan

SOLAS Metal Fabrication · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Metal Fabrication (craft apprenticeship programme)

Map the SOLAS Metal Fabrication apprenticeship standard and the full craft domain into a personal topic checklist with weightings
Identify and set up the core reference set: approved workshop texts, PPE requirements, and safe bench practice rules
Define a weekly shop-practice slot and a logbook format for recording measured tasks
Complete a baseline self-assessment across fabrication sub-topics and score each area 1-5

A one-page baseline audit listing every fabrication sub-topic, a confidence score, and the three weakest areas flagged for early attention

Week 2

Interpret orthographic and isometric fabrication drawings, including dimensioning, tolerances, and weld symbols
Produce a hand-sketch and a cut list from a supplied drawing without external help
Calculate bend allowances and flat-pattern lengths for simple sheet components
Check your cut list against the drawing and correct any discrepancies

A verified cut list and flat-pattern sketch for a bracket assembly, checked against the source drawing with errors annotated

Week 3

Demonstrate safe setup and operation of measuring, marking-out, and cutting tools
Mark out and cut mild-steel plate to a tolerance of plus or minus 1 mm
Prepare and execute a square butt joint and a fillet joint for practice welding
Record tool settings, consumable choices, and defect observations in the logbook

Two marked-out and cut practice pieces within tolerance, with a logbook entry documenting settings and defects

Week 4

Apply distortion-control techniques including tack sequencing, back-step welding, and clamping strategy
Fabricate a small frame or box section from prepared components to drawing dimensions
Measure distortion before and after welding and compare against acceptance limits
Diagnose the two most common defects found in your own work and propose corrective actions

A completed frame or box component with a distortion measurement report and a written corrective-action note

Week 5

Select and apply appropriate welding processes and consumables for given joint types and materials
Produce weld samples that meet visual acceptance criteria for bead profile and fusion
Inspect your own welds against a checklist and classify each defect by type and severity
Explain the metallurgical effects of heat input on common fabrication steels

A weld-sample portfolio of at least four joints with a self-inspection sheet classifying defects and acceptance decisions

Week 6

Assemble a component using jigs, fixtures, and alignment checks to specified tolerances
Perform dimensional verification with calipers, squares, and levels and record results
Apply surface preparation and finishing steps appropriate to the material
Review the assembly against the drawing and document any non-conformance

An assembled and finished component with a dimensional verification sheet showing all recorded measurements against tolerances

Week 7

Complete a timed mock practical assessment covering marking out, cutting, and assembly
Complete a written mock test on fabrication theory, drawing interpretation, and safety
Review every incorrect answer and map each error back to a sub-topic on the baseline audit
Re-score the baseline audit to measure progress since week 1

A scored mock practical and written test with an error log linking each mistake to a revision action

Week 8

Revise only the lowest-scoring sub-topics identified in the week 7 error log
Re-perform the two weakest practical tasks under assessment conditions
Consolidate safety, PPE, and workshop-conduct knowledge into a one-page reference
Finalise the logbook and portfolio for review against the apprenticeship evidence requirements

A final revision pack containing the corrected error log, re-scored audit, and a complete portfolio index ready for review

Week 2: You can read a fabrication drawing and produce an accurate cut list without assistance

Week 4: You can fabricate a small frame to within stated dimensional tolerances and explain how you controlled distortion

Week 6: You can assemble and verify a component against a drawing, with all measurements recorded and non-conformances documented

Week 8: You score at least 75 percent on the written mock and pass all practical tasks within the stated tolerances under timed conditions