Think of ships, storage tanks, boilers or any other metal fabricated product, and you have entered a boilermaker's work environment.

There are nearly 4,000 boilermakers working in Western Australia, and almost all are male. Around 62% work in the Perth metropolitan area, 8% in the South West, 7% in the Pilbara, 8% in the South East with the remainder spread throughout the State's other regions.

Although the majority of boilermakers are male, this shouldn't deter females from seeking an apprenticeship in this trade.

Each year, several hundred people undertake an Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication) apprenticeship specialising in boilermaking.

Boilermakers are highly skilled in making and repairing all types of fabricated metal products. They make and repair vessels or containers which hold liquids and gases that create steam and are able to withstand the pressure that builds inside. One such vessel is a boiler, which supplies steam to drive huge turbines in electric power plants and to provide heat and power in buildings, factories and ships.


Full Steam Ahead

Before repairing or making a fabricated metal product, a boilermaker studies design drawings and creates full size patterns or templates. After the various sized and shaped pieces are marked out on metal, it's time to cut, using hand tools, flame cutting torches or a guillotine. The sections of metal are then shaped or bent and accurately lined up, before they are welded together.

If the pieces are very large or heavy, then cranes are used to assemble them. Using hammers, grinders and cutting torches, boilermakers remove any irregular edges so the metal pieces fit together properly. They then join them by welding, bolting or riveting.


Getting It Just Right

Boilermakers also align and attach other components such as water tubes and valves, and then test the product for any leaks or other defects. And, because vessels such as boilers generally have a long shelf life of up to 35 years, a boilermaker is involved in their maintenance and updates components such as boiler tubes to make them even more efficient.

If this all sounds like a long and drawn out process, that's because it can be. Just ask former boilermaker, John McGarry:

''It can be time consuming with a project sometimes taking weeks, but when you see the end product, it's very satisfying.''


Good With Your Hands

If you enjoy working with your hands, are physically fit and able to visualise how an object should look from a drawing, you may have the aptitude for working as a boilermaker. An interest in and understanding of welding and working with metals in the area of structural engineering is also important according to an experienced boilermaker.

Most boilermakers train in both boilermaking and structural fabrication and so may also be involved in fitting, assembling and joining aluminium and steel in the construction or repair of towers, bridges and ships.

Potential employees need to be very aware of personal and workplace safety as a boilermaker's work environment can be hazardous. They often use potentially dangerous equipment, such as a power grinder and oxy-acetylene (torching) equipment.

Boilermakers work indoors in large workshops, or on construction sites during heavy engineering construction such as shipbuilding or mineral processing plant equipment.


In Western Australia, most boilermakers work in the manufacturing, construction and mining industries. However, there is currently a high demand for these tradespeople in the oil and gas industry thanks to projects such as the North West Shelf Gas Project in the Burrup Peninsula. Shortages for qualified boilermakers exist nationally and, according to a Metals, Manufacturing and Services Industry Training Council spokesperson, there will be a high level of activity in those industries that employ boilermakers for several years yet. BHP has also commenced work on its billion dollar 'C project'.


The starting salary in this occupation is about $29,000 per year which may go higher than $58,000 depending on where boilermakers find employment. Salaries may exceed this for people working offshore. There are also self-employment opportunities in this occupation for experienced tradespersons who have sufficient capital and skills to establish a business and purchase equipment.

To become a qualified boilermaker you must complete a Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication) apprenticeship. For further information on obtaining an apprenticeship, please contact the Australian Apprenticeships Hotline on 13 38 73 (local call cost).

You may be able to commence your vocational training in school, while you complete your secondary education. Modules of the Certificate II in Engineering Production can be undertaken at this level. For more information on how you can do this, you can contact your school's career counsellor or vocational education coordinator.

Another pathway into the occupation worth considering is through the traineeship in Engineering Production, which can lead on to the apprenticeship. For further information, please contact the Australian Apprenticeships Hotline on 13 38 73 (local call cost).

The off-the-job training for both traineeships and apprenticeships is available through a number of TAFE colleges and private training organisations. Check out the TAFE and NTIS sites below for further information.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses available throughout WA.

Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (WA)
GPO Box J667 Perth WA 6842 Ph: (08) 9223 0800 Fax: (08) 9225 4744 Email: amwuwa@amwu.asn.au URL: http://www.amwu.asn.au

Metals, Manufacturing and Services Industry Training Council
PO Box 667 Wembley WA 6913 Ph: (08) 9284 1333 Email: merswa@ozemail.com.au URL: http://www.mersitab.com.au

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