Boilermakers
Boilermakers construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. They align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Their work involves the use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. They assist in testing assembled vessels and direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Moreover, they inspect repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.
After a high school degree, you have to complete an under graduation degree (bachelor of science). To become a boilermaker, you need to complete both theoretical and practical training. The certification (Certificate III in Engineering- Fabrication Trade) will usually be integrated with on the job training by completing an apprenticeship with a qualified boilermaker. This usually takes three to four years. It is advisable to learn on the job from an experienced boilermaker. During training, workers learn how to use boilermaker tools and equipment on the job.
Boilermaker's job roles are working as specialists in boilers, tanks, and vats that hold fluids and gases under high-pressure forces. Boilermaker jobs are needed in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing sectors, including mining, construction, shipbuilding, and aviation and boilermaker salary can range from five-six digits.
As boilermaker training is physically demanding, workers must have the necessary stamina, coordination, and manual dexterity to complete the job. For a progressive boilermaker career path, one needs to be unafraid of confined spaces and heights. You must be well equipped with both mechanical and technical skills.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- B.A. Geography
Tasks
- Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.
- Bolt or arc weld pressure vessel structures and parts together, using wrenches or welding equipment.
- Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.
- Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
- Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.
- Bell, bead with power hammers, or weld pressure vessel tube ends to ensure leakproof joints.
- Lay out plate, sheet steel, or other heavy metal and locate and mark bending and cutting lines, using protractors, compasses, and drawing instruments or templates.
- Install manholes, handholes, taps, tubes, valves, gauges, or feedwater connections in drums of water tube boilers, using hand tools.
- Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
- Straighten or reshape bent pressure vessel plates or structure parts, using hammers, jacks, or torches.
Progression Routes
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