If you are contemplating a career in the steel industry, you are investing in one of the most robust arenas for ongoing jobs. LinkedIn SA is advertising a large number of jobs in the steel industry at the time of writing.
From entry-level personnel to salespeople, managers, and highly qualified engineers, there is no shortage of employment opportunity and certainly no sign of the steel industry losing its prominence in our modern world.
The even better news is that there is a healthy demand for all manner of careers within the steel industry umbrella. Technicians and machinists are always in demand but also other careers such as HR (Human Resources), economists, and professional communicators.
Steel Industry Career Options
Reviewing some of the key careers in steel, remember that there are many fields and facets within each broad category that may interest you specifically.
Structural Engineering requires degrees and years of study but also means high salaries. The level involves working with steel to designing anything from Ships to structures like bridges, building tunnels, transportation, and equipment.
In Engineering, for instance, there are other specializations you could canvass, such as;
- Application engineering
- Environmental technology
- Material development
- Production techniques
- Rolling-mill operation research
- Marketing
In Steel Fabrication, other sub-specializations include:
- Welders – manual work but good quality essential
- Machinists – using either machine or hand tools for small to large-scale modifications
- Galvanizers – coating steel for specific purposes
Other careers in steel are computer-oriented such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) make use of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to control steel cutters. Familiar jobs in this field are:
- CNC Turner
- CNC Miller
- CNC Programmer
- CNC Machinist
In any career, having a progressive outlook will always serve you well. Look for ways to grow yourself and your department.
Local & International Careers in Steel
A major plus to bear in mind regarding the Steel industry is that your qualifications would find fertile soil anywhere in the world. Countries where the steel industry is prominent offer training and growth opportunities. SSAB in Sweden is a good example, so check it out if you’re going abroad.
In SA, iEducation has great articles on various qualifications along with all the ramifications to help you make an informed choice.
Either way, choosing a career in steel can lead to your acquiring a broader skill base or a specialist avenue, or a combination. The steel industry is one of the most developed and exciting fields of work and remains robust regardless of economic ups and downs.
Contact us and chat with our friendly personnel if you’re thinking of exploring a career in steel.