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ITI Fitter / Machinist
Skilled Trades & ITI2-year ITI trade in mechanical fitting. Factory + workshop jobs.
What they actually do
Fitters assemble + maintain mechanical components — bearings, gears, valves, pipework. Work in manufacturing units, railways, refineries, ship yards.
A typical day
- Component fitting + assembly
- Maintenance + breakdown repair
- Reading drawings + tolerance work
- Quality + safety checks
How to become a ITI Fitter / Machinist
2 viable paths.
Class 10 → ITI Fitter / Turner / Machinist (2 yr)
Direct ITI; NCVT/SCVT cert on completion.
ITI → Apprenticeship → Permanent
Apprenticeship at PSU / private converts to permanent.
Qualifications
- Class 10
- ITI Fitter (NCVT)
- Apprenticeship completion
Skills that matter
- Tool + machine operation (lathe, milling)
- Drawing interpretation + tolerance
- Measurement instruments (vernier, micrometer)
- Safety + PPE
Salary bands by experience
Wide bands — real salary depends on city, employer, performance. Pick the midpoint for planning.
- Apprentice₹1 - ₹2 LPA stipend
- Permanent worker₹2.5 - ₹5 LPA
- Skilled senior + supervisor₹4 - ₹10 LPA
Career growth + employers
Apprentice → Operator → Senior Operator → Foreman / Supervisor
Top employers (informational, not endorsement)
- Railways, BHEL, SAIL, HAL (PSU)
- Maruti, Tata Motors, Mahindra (auto)
- L&T Heavy Engineering, EID Parry, ISGEC (heavy)
Honest pros + cons
Pros
- Short entry path
- Manufacturing renaissance + PLI driving demand
- PSU recruitment via apprenticeship route
Cons
- Physical work + shift hours
- Pay ceiling lower than diploma/BTech
- Some plants in remote locations
Demand outlook
Strong. Manufacturing demand growing 8%+ yearly with PLI schemes.