Fitter
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A fitter was engaged on assembly, installation, maintenance, repair and dismantling of mechanical plant and equipment at the mines, oil works and refineries. The trade of a fitter was a qualified and skilled career that took many years to learn. An apprenticeship would usually start between the ages of 14 and 16 and last for 5 years. Once the apprenticeship was served the fitter would normally stay in this trade for the rest of their working life.
Wages & Working Hours
The average weekly wage of a fitter in 1886 was 26s 0d and the working hours were normally 57 hours over 6 days (Board of Trade Census of Wages).
In 1923 an apprentice fitter started on a weekly wage of 12s, which rose to 13s 6d in 1924, 15s in 1925, 18s in 1926 and to 22s in 1927 which was the final year of the apprenticeship.
Additional Resources
- Oral history transcript: Mr James Anderson
- Oral history transcript: Mr & Mrs Cameron
- Oral history transcript: Mr Archibald Fairley
- Oral history transcript: Mr Alexander Hunter
- Oral history transcript: Mr Thomas Hutchinson
- Oral history transcript: Mr & Mrs Paterson
- Oral history transcript: Mr Frank Stark
- Oral history transcript: Mr A. Taylor