Hiring and Sponsoring Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations (SOC Code 5212)

Metal Plate Workers; Smiths; Moulders and Related Occupations - SOC Code 5212

Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders, and related occupations are skilled tradespeople who play a vital role in the manufacturing and construction industries. Their expertise encompasses various metalworking techniques and processes essential for forming and finishing metal components. 

• Key Responsibilities:
  • Examine drawings and specifications to determine operational requirements.
  • Mark out metal plates with guidelines and reference points.
  • Cut metal plates using hand or machine tools.
  • Utilize machine tools to bend, curve, punch, drill, and straighten metal as needed.
  • Employ hydraulic jacks to position and align metal for welding and bolting.
  • Rivet together metal plates and girders to create sturdy structures.
  • Create mould units from sand, loam, or plaster, fitting cores into moulds for casting.
  • Seal seams with caulking compound and smooth welds to ensure high-quality finishes.
  • Repair and fix metal doors, collars, portholes, tank covers, and hatch covers.
  • Heat metal for forging, positioning it on an anvil or work surface.
  • Operate presses or hammers, adeptly repositioning workpieces to achieve desired shapes.
  • Use forging tools, including hammers and punches, for shaping and cutting metal.
  • Temper and harden forged pieces through quenching in oil or water.
  • Fit and secure horseshoes, ensuring proper alignment and strength.
  • Scoop molten metal from furnaces into dies or die casting machines.

As the demand for skilled metal craftsmanship continues to grow, employers across industries are seeking talented professionals to fill these crucial roles. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in understanding the hiring and sponsorship process of metal plate workers under the UK’s immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations?

SOC Code 5212 refers to metal plate workers, smiths, moulders, and related occupations. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining drawings and specifications: Determining operational requirements from technical documents.
• Marking and cutting metal: Guiding and shaping metal plates using hand or machine tools.
• Bending and shaping metal: Utilizing machines to bend, curve, punch, drill, and straighten metal as necessary.
• Aligning for welding: Using hydraulic jacks to position and align metal platework or frames for welding, bolting, and riveting.
• Creating moulds: Making mould units from sand, loam, or plaster by hand or machine and fitting cores to create hollow cast parts.
• Finishing metal products: Sealing seams with caulking, smoothing welds, and fixing metal components like doors and covers using various hand and power tools.
• Forging metal: Heating metal for shaping and positioning it on an anvil or work surface, using presses or hammers to rework pieces as needed.
• Shaping by hand: Employing hand forging techniques with tools like hammers and punches to shape and cut metal accurately.
• Tempering and hardening: Adjusting the metal's properties by quenching forged pieces in oil or water.
• Fitting horseshoes: Securing horseshoes onto horses.
• Casting metal: Scooping molten metal from a furnace into dies or die casting machines for production.

Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders, and their counterparts are integral to manufacturing and construction industries, contributing to the creation of durable and essential metal products.

Eligibility to Hire Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations (SOC Code 3411)

Job Description for Metal Plate Workers; Smiths; Moulders and Related Occupations (SOC Code 5212)

1. Job Requirements

Candidates applying for metal plate worker positions must possess the necessary skills and qualifications to effectively perform tasks associated with metalworking. Requirements include:

• Technical Skills: Demonstrated ability to examine technical drawings and specifications to identify operational requirements.
• Metal Cutting: Proficiency in marking out metal plates and executing cuts using both hand and machine tools.
• Machine Operation: Experience in utilizing machine tools for bending, curving, punching, drilling, and straightening metal plates.
• Welding and Assembly: Knowledge of using hydraulic jacks for positioning metal work and experience in welding, bolting, and riveting metal plates and girders.
• Mould Creation: Ability to create mould units using materials such as sand, loam, or plaster, with experience in fitting cores to form hollow parts in casting.
• Finishing Techniques: Skills in sealing seams with caulking compounds, smoothing welds, and performing various finishing tasks on metal plates using hand and power tools.
• Forging Proficiency: Experience in heating metal for forging, operating presses or hammers, and shaping metal using forge tools.
• Metal Tempering: Knowledge of tempering and hardening forged pieces through quenching processes.
• Additional Skills: Familiarity with fitting and securing horse shoes and operating die casting machines by scooping molten metal from furnaces.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to safety practices and possess physical stamina to handle the demanding nature of metalworking tasks. Relevant experience in the metalworking field can enhance eligibility for this role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations under SOC Code 5212.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations

Before the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupationss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations

Sponsoring Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations under SOC Code 5212 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Metal plate workers; smiths; moulders and related occupations under SOC Code 5212 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.