Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Cladding Fitter

🎯 Role Definition

The Aluminum Cladding Fitter (also written Aluminium Cladding Fitter) is a specialist façade installer responsible for accurately measuring, fabricating, assembling and installing aluminium cladding systems and associated metalwork on commercial and residential buildings. This role combines on-site setting-out and installation of rainscreen, composite and curtain wall panels with hands-on sheet-metal work, sealing and finishing to ensure weatherproof, thermally efficient and visually high-quality façades. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical ability with aluminium systems, a thorough understanding of fixings and expansion detailing, and a consistent focus on site safety and quality control.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Apprentice Cladding/Sheet Metal Trainee (NVQ/SVQ apprenticeship)
General Fabrication / Sheet Metal Worker
Roofing, Glazing or Carpentry tradesperson moving into façade work

Advancement To:

Senior/Lead Cladding Fitter or Façade Foreman
Site Supervisor / Works Supervisor (Façade and Envelope)
Façade Project Manager / Contracts Manager
Specialist Aluminium Fabrication Team Leader or Estimator

Lateral Moves:

Curtain Wall Installer
Composite Panel Installer
Architectural Metalwork Fabricator
Glazing Technician / Installer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Accurately read, interpret and act upon architectural and fabrication drawings, elevation details, section details and installation schedules to set out aluminium cladding, rainscreen and composite panel systems in accordance with manufacturer instructions and project specifications.
Carry out detailed site surveys and templating for aluminium panels, flashings, copings, soffits and trims, measuring and recording dimensions for bespoke fabricated components and communicating adjustments back to the workshop.
Fabricate and modify aluminium panels, brackets, rails and flashings using hand tools, abrasive saws, folding brakes, guillotines and bench machines to produce to-line and to-tolerance components.
Install aluminium rainscreen systems, including carrier rails, brackets, subframes, ventilated cavity management and external cladding panels, ensuring correct vertical and horizontal alignment and consistent joint tolerances.
Install composite aluminium panels (ACM/ALC), aluminium sheet cladding and specialist profiles using appropriate mechanical fixings, pop rivets, stainless steel screws and concealed fix systems as specified.
Fit and seal perimeter details, flashings, copings, transoms and mullions to create weather-tight junctions between cladding systems and adjacent building elements such as windows, curtain walling and rooflines.
Set out and install thermal break components, insulation support trays and cavity barriers to maintain continuity of the thermal envelope and comply with U-value and fire-stopping requirements.
Use laser levels, plumb lines, spirit levels and setting out tools to ensure façade flatness, joint alignment and panel plane precision across elevations and interfaces.
Perform on-site cutting, drilling, grinding and finishing of aluminium components to achieve neat edge profiles, mitres and mitred junctions consistent with architectural intent.
Carry out quality checks on completed work, identify defects or misalignments, implement remedial actions or report to site supervision and ensure all cladding work meets company quality plans and manufacturer tolerances.
Coordinate with curtain wall, glazing and roofing trades on site to sequence work correctly, manage interface details and avoid damage to installed elements or vapour/air-tightness systems.
Install and maintain temporary edge protection, scaffold access and manage safe use of MEWPs/scissor lifts as part of cladding installation operations in compliance with site RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements).
Apply specialist sealants, gaskets, tapes and adhesives correctly to internal and external joints ensuring appropriate bead sizes, tooling and compatibility with aluminium surfaces and neighbouring materials.
Complete fabrication templates and site reports, return accurate marks back to the workshops and update site drawings as-built for handover packs and snagging records.
Assist with the coordination and management of cladding deliveries, inventory control and stock checks for aluminium panels, fixings, brackets and consumables to keep installation programmes on track.
Conduct and document daily pre-start inspections of hand tools, power tools, fall protection and PPE; report defective equipment and ensure all plant is in safe working order prior to use.
Implement site-specific fire-stopping, cavity barrier and compartmentation details in accordance with relevant regulations (e.g., building regulations, fire strategy) and product approvals.
Work to tight tolerances and complex geometries on curved or bespoke aluminium façades, including on-site bending, templating and specialist joint execution to match architect designs.
Carry out snagging and rectification works for completed façade sections, documenting completion and ensuring all remedial actions are verified and signed-off prior to handover.
Mentor and support junior fitters, apprentices and site assistants, providing on-the-job training in safe working practices, set-out, finishing and tool use to raise team capability.
Liaise with site management, subcontractors and client representatives during inspections, progress meetings and HSE briefings to resolve technical queries and ensure timely completion of cladding milestones.
Maintain accurate daily time sheets, labour records and materials usage logs to support project costing, invoicing and effective site resource planning.

Secondary Functions

Support site supervisors by preparing site-specific method statements, RAMS and material take-offs for aluminium cladding packages.
Participate in pre-installation coordination meetings and provide technical input to sequencing and temporary works plans.
Assist the procurement team with supplier technical queries, material substitutions and preparedness reviews for bespoke aluminium profiles.
Help collate as-built documentation, manufacturer warranties and maintenance guidance for client handover packs.
Assist with periodic maintenance, cleaning and repair of installed aluminium cladding during defects liability periods.
Contribute to continuous improvement by feeding back site-based lessons learned to design and fabrication teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven experience installing aluminium/aluminum cladding systems, rainscreen façades, ACM/composite panels and associated metalwork.
Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural and manufacturer technical drawings, including setting-out and dimension interpretation.
Sheet metal fabrication skills: cutting, folding, bending, trimming, and finishing aluminium components to tight tolerances.
Proficiency with hand and power tools used in cladding installation (circular saws, nibbler, grinders, pop rivet guns, drills, folding brakes).
Competence operating access equipment: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), scissor lifts and working from scaffold safely.
Knowledge of mechanical fixing systems and stainless steel fixings, torque requirements, expansion allowances, and concealed fastener systems.
Sealant and jointing expertise: applying silicone, polyurethane and polysulfide sealants, backer rods, tape systems and gaskets.
Experience with thermal break installation, cavity barriers, fire-stopping and insulation interface detailing for building envelopes.
Proficient use of site setting-out tools (laser level, theodolite, plumb bob) and templating for bespoke panel fabrication.
Experience with quality control, snags, rectification, and completion sign-off processes in façade contracts.
Ability to produce and interpret site fabrication templates, as-built drawings and material schedules.
Knowledge of health & safety regulations (CDM, PPE, working at height regulations) and adherence to site-specific RAMS.
Basic welding/tack-weld competency or familiarity with aluminium joining techniques is advantageous (where applicable to the role).
Familiarity with composite panel types (e.g., ACM) and their handling/storage requirements to avoid damage and surface contamination.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality, architecturally accurate workmanship.
Excellent problem-solving and on-the-spot decision-making skills when adapting shop drawings to site realities.
Clear communicator able to liaise with site supervisors, other trades and client representatives professionally.
Time management and organisational skills to meet tight programme deadlines and sequencing constraints.
Team player with leadership potential; ability to mentor apprentices and coordinate small installation teams.
Resilient and adaptable in outdoor and variable weather site environments.
Proactive approach to health & safety and willingness to raise concerns or propose safer working methods.
Customer-focused mindset for delivering neat finishes and meeting client expectations during handover.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Level 2 technical qualification or equivalent experience in a construction trade (e.g., NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Construction or Bench Metal, City & Guilds).

Preferred Education:

NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Cladding, Bench Joinery, Carpentry or Sheet Metal; aluminium cladding-specific manufacturer training or certificated façade installer course.
CSCS card (or local equivalent) and relevant training certificates (PASMA, IPAF for MEWPs, SSSTS/SMSTS desirable).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Carpentry & Joinery / Bench Joinery
Sheet Metal Fabrication / Architectural Metalwork
Construction, Building Services or Façade Technology courses

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–7 years’ practical experience fitting aluminium/aluminum cladding, rainscreen systems, or comparable façade systems on commercial projects.

Preferred:

5+ years of direct aluminium cladding installation experience on medium to large-scale projects with demonstrable project history, manufacturer approvals and evidence of completed snag-free handovers.