Index
Intro
Boilermakers fabricate, assemble, erect, test, maintain and repair boilers, vessels, tanks, towers, heat exchangers and other heavy-metal structures. They are employed in boiler fabrication, manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, electric power generation and similar industrial establishments.
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Main Duties
Boilermakers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Read blueprints or specifications to plan sequence of operation
- Lay out plate, sheet steel or other heavy metal and mark bending and cutting lines on work piece using protractors, compasses and drawing instruments or templates
- Set up and operate heavy-metal working machines such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters and drill presses to cut, shape and form metal into parts or sections
- Fit and weld metal parts or sections together to fabricate boilers, vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, piping and other heavy-metal products
- Erect and install boilers and other heavy-metal products according to specifications using hand and power tools
- Repair and perform maintenance work on boilers and other heavy-metal products
- Direct activities of hoist or crane operators and other workers during fabrication, assembly, installation or repair of structures
- Test finished structures using a variety of methods.
Boilermakers may specialize in rigging and hoisting, preparation and layout, or welding aspects of the trade.
Employment Requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
or
A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in boilermaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. - Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified boilermakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
All Titles
- boiler fitter
- boiler installer
- boiler repairerboiler repairman, boiler repairwoman
- boiler repairman/woman
- boiler shop mechanic
- boilermaker
- boilermaker apprentice
- boilermaker, erection and repair
- boilermaker, maintenance
- boilermaker-welder
- construction boilermaker
- industrial boilermaker
- industrial construction boilermaker
- industrial heat exchanger boilermaker
- journeyman/woman boilermakerjourneyman boilermaker, journeywoman boilermaker
- maintenance boilermaker
- marine boilermaker
- pressure vessel boilermaker
- pressure vessel fabricator
Exclusions
- Ironworkers (7236)
- Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (7235)
- Supervisors of boilermakers (See 7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)
- Welders and related machine operators (7237)