Hiring and Sponsoring Sheet metal workers (SOC Code 5211)

Sheet Metal Workers, classified under SOC Code 5211, are skilled tradespeople who play a crucial role in the manufacturing and construction industries. Their expertise lies in transforming sheet metal into a variety of finished products through an array of processes. Key aspects of their role include:

• Interpreting Drawings and Specifications: Examines technical drawings and specifications to assess job requirements effectively.
• Precision Marking: Utilizes templates, measuring instruments, and tools to mark out layout lines and reference points with accuracy.
• Sheet Metal Forming: Applies hand or machine tools to bend, roll, fold, press, or beat cut sheet metal into desired shapes.
• Assembly and Joining: Assembles prepared parts, expertly joining them by bolting, welding, or soldering to create robust structures.
• Finishing Touches: Completes the product through grinding, filing, cleaning, and polishing to ensure a high-quality finish.
• Repairing Metal Parts: Skilled in repairing damaged metal components, such as copper sheets and tubes, using techniques like beating, riveting, soldering, welding, and fitting replacement parts.
• Quality Control: Performs final checks on products to ensure conformity with specifications and quality standards.

With the increasing demand for manufacturers and construction projects, the need for proficient sheet metal workers is on the rise, prompting many companies to seek skilled talent from both local and international sources. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding the process of hiring and sponsoring sheet metal workers under the UK's immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Sheet metal workers?

SOC Code 5211 refers to sheet metal workers who specialize in shaping and assembling metal components through various processes. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining drawings and specifications: Assessing job requirements to ensure accurate execution of designs.
• Marking out layout lines: Using templates and measuring instruments to define reference points for cutting and shaping.
• Bending, rolling, folding, and pressing: Utilizing hand or machine tools to manipulate sheet metal into desired forms.
• Assembling prepared parts: Joining components through bolting, welding, or soldering to create finished products.
• Finishing products: Applying techniques such as grinding, filing, cleaning, and polishing to enhance the quality of the final work.
• Repairing damaged metal parts: Restoring items like copper sheets and tubes through processes such as beating, riveting, soldering, welding, and replacing parts as needed.
• Checking final products: Ensuring conformity with specifications to maintain high-quality standards.

Sheet metal workers play an essential role in the manufacturing and construction industries, contributing to the creation of diverse metal products and structures.

Eligibility to Hire Sheet metal workers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Sheet metal workers must possess a combination of skills and qualifications to effectively meet job demands. These may include:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in interpreting and analyzing technical drawings and specifications to accurately assess job requirements.
• Measuring Instruments Proficiency: Ability to use templates, measuring instruments, and various tools to mark out layout lines and reference points.
• Tool Operation: Experience in using hand or machine tools to bend, roll, fold, press, or shape sheet metal according to specifications.
• Assembly & Joining Skills: Competence in assembling prepared parts and expertly joining them through methods such as bolting, welding, or soldering.
• Finishing Techniques: Knowledge of finishing processes including grinding, filing, cleaning, and polishing to complete the final product.
• Repair Skills: Capability to repair damaged metal parts, utilizing techniques such as beating, riveting, soldering, welding, and fitting replacement parts.
• Quality Control: Attention to detail and thoroughness in checking the final product to ensure conformity with established specifications.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 5211 and that the sheet metal worker’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

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

Sponsoring Sheet metal workers: 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 Sheet metal workers under SOC Code 5211.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Sheet metal workers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Sheet metal workers 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 Sheet metal workers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Sheet metal workers 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 Sheet metal workers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorshipfor a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Sheet metal workers 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 Sheet metal workers

Before the Sheet metal workers 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 Sheet metal workers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Sheet metal workers 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 Sheet metal workers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Sheet metal workers’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 Sheet metal workerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Sheet metal workers

Sponsoring Sheet metal workers under SOC Code 5211 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 Sheet metal workers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Sheet metal workers under SOC Code 5211 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.