What is a boilermaker and welder?
Boilermakers and welders are both manual jobs, but their roles are distinct. Boilermakers focus on the installation, maintenance, operation and repair of boilers and other large units. Welders, on the other hand, specifically join and manipulate metal components for many different purposes.
They are responsible for routine maintenance, repair and upgrading of structures to make sure they’re meeting efficiency and environmental standards.
What does a boilermaker and welder do?
Each job varies, depending on the industry and scope of the job, as well as the skills and experience of the individual. There’s a wide variety of tasks, but boilermaker and welders are likely to:
- Install, inspect and repair boilers, as well as evaluate their performance to eliminate leaks and defects
- Determine the requirements for a job by studying blueprints, specifications and fabrication drawings
- Use hand tools, metal cutting machines and flame-cutting torches to cut, bend, shape and align pipes and metal sections
- Use bolting, riveting and various welding techniques to join and align metal sections
- Utilise a range of equipment from robotic and automatic welders to handheld power tools
- Test and inspect welds using precision measuring instruments
- Polish, smooth and clean welds using grinding, filling, chiselling and acidic solutions to finish products
- Follow strict safety procedures and wear appropriate protective clothing
What qualification do I need?
To become a boilermaker and welder, you need to obtain a Certification III in Engineering – (Fabrication Trade). This nationally recognised qualification will allow you to specialise in either boilermaking or welding. Alternatively, you can pursue both specialties together.
You usually gain this educational qualification as part of a four-year apprenticeship to supplement the skills that you will learn as part of your certification.
Pathways to becoming a boilermaker and welder
As we mentioned above, to become a boilermaker and welder, you need to complete a Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade). You can do this through a Registered Training Organisation.
There are several pathways to becoming a boilermaker and welder. We’ve outlined the most common route to give you some insight into how you could become a boilermaker/welder.
CTF is also on hand with several resources, including funding and advice, to make your journey easier.
Start an apprenticeship
Starting an apprenticeship is likely the first step in your journey to becoming a boilermaker and welder. You can take on an apprenticeship or traineeship as a school leaver or as an adult.
Usually, undertaking your Certification III in Engineering – (Fabrication Trade) will be part of this apprenticeship.
Meet entry requirements
There are two main ways to apply for an apprenticeship in Western Australia. You can either speak to an employer directly or apply through an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider.
A pre-apprenticeship can boost your chances of being taken on as an apprentice, as well as improving your job prospects later. You might also be able to use your pre-apprenticeship as a credit towards your apprenticeship, reducing the time it takes for you to qualify.
The entry requirements for apprentices are as follows:
- Most providers require a minimum C grade in English and Maths or equivalent
- You must be over 18 years old, or have approval from a guardian if you are under 18 years old
- You have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- You need to be seeking an apprenticeship with full-time or part-time hours
Complete your training
Completing your training means you’ll gain skills and knowledge to:
- Work safely in metal fabrication, including the use of chemicals
- Perform complex measurements
- Use a variety of industry tools and machinery for different welding processes, including flux core arc, and work to quality standards.
- Perform heat treatments and testing, including inspections
- Set and edit computer-controlled machines and processes
- Operate lathes
Get licensed or certified
Once you have formally qualified as a boilermaker and welder, you will need to get your tickets.
Depending on the type of area that you would like to work in, you may also need high-risk work licenses or industry-specific certifications.
Once you’ve been certified and you’ve got your license, you’re ready to find full-time employment.
Working hours and conditions
Each job varies, but the role is likely to involve:
- Full-time hours. Overtime may be required depending on the project
- Work indoors or outdoors
- Physically demanding job
Skills and personal qualities for a successful career
Boilermakers and welders work in a physically demanding environment that involves exposure to heat, heavy machinery, and power tools at heights. The skills and personal skills to deal with this include:
- Good physical fitness and being comfortable working in confined spaces, heights and extreme environments
- Enjoying practical, hands-on work.
- Being able to work independently and take pride in accuracy, and employing critical thinking.
- Good mechanical and maths skills.
Which sectors can boilermakers and welders work in?
Boilermakers and welders have skills that are needed across a range of sectors, which allows them the freedom to work in the residential, civil, commercial or resources sector if they want to.
Residential Sector
While there is less need for boilermakers or welders in the residential sector, there is still work available. Generally, welders would be working with light steel or aluminium. Work may be limited, as most residential buildings use timber framing (which doesn’t require a boilermaker or welder).
Homes with steel framing or load-bearing beams and columns may require welders. There are also opportunities within custom metal fabrication, like internal and external staircases, balconies or decks.
Civil Construction
Job prospects for boilermakers and welders within civil construction are strong. They can expect to work with heavy structural steel and other large components, working on large infrastructure projects like fabricating and installing steel bridge supports, welding water pipelines or working on the creation of highways and tunnels.
Commercial Construction
Boilermakers and welders are in huge demand in the commercial sector. The construction of large buildings like schools, shopping centres and office towers provides opportunities for welding and installing steel frames, staircases and balustrades.
Unlike the residential sector, many commercial buildings do have steel frames, which require the specialist work of boilermakers and welders to construct and install.
Resources Sector
The resources sector also has huge demand for boilermaker jobs and welders on mining sites, oil and gas rigs and refineries. Often work will be done on-site (which can be remote) or at fabrication yards.
An example of the work required could be constructing and installing distillation columns, or storage tanks for crude oil or natural gas, or assembling and erecting modules for offshore oil and gas platforms.
Boilermakers will also be crucial for inspecting, maintaining, cleaning or repairing both internal and external components on the tanks and pieces of heavy-duty machinery.
Future Pathways and Opportunities for boilermakers and welders
Getting certified as a boilermaker and welder offers lots of different career options.
You could choose to specialise in advanced welding techniques, like pipe welding or underwater welding, or gain extra certifications for high-risk work, like rigging or pressure welding.
Another option is to advance into management, by working your way up to foreman, site supervisor or leading hand, planning daily operations and overseeing teams of welders and fabricators on-site.
Qualifying as a boilermaker or welder also gives you the chance to go into training or teaching at TAFE, although this will require further qualifications.
Alternatively, you could start your own business or work as a mobile welder or boilermaker, taking on contract work. The possibilities are endless.