How to become A Boilermaker

• Boiler Maker 
• Boilersmith
• Boiler Fabricator 
• Boilermaker Welder 
• Boilermaker Mechanic
• Boilermaker Technician

What do Boilermakers do?

A Boilermaker would typically need to:

• Fabricate, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers, vats, tanks and other large containers meant to hold gases or liquids
• Install, maintain, and repair small, premade boilers in buildings and manufacturing facilities
• Align steel, copper, stainless steel, and iron structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks and boiler house auxiliary equipment
• Read blueprints to determine the location, position, and dimensions of boiler parts; lay out pre-fabricated parts of large boilers before assembling them
• Manually assemble the boilers with hand/power tools and flame-cutting torches or with robotic welding equipment, if systems are automated
• Align boilerplate and boiler parts, using metalworking machinery and relevant tools to cut and shape irregular edges so the pieces fit together properly
• Coordinate with crane operators to lift huge plate sections and place them in appropriate locations and positions
• Join the different plates and parts together by bolting, welding and riveting them together
• Test and inspect installed boiler systems for leaks or defects; inspect the safety and check valves, water and pressure gauges, and boiler controls
• Clean vats, boilers and boiler furnaces with scrapers, wire brushes, and cleaning solvents
• Replace or repair broken valves, pipes, or joints, using hand and power tools, gas torches, and welding equipment
• Work with pipefitters, electricians, and engineers to complete projects and troubleshoot any challenges that arise during the process
• Complete job work orders and other requisite maintenance documentation promptly and accurately
• Assist in the erection and repair of air pollution abatement equipment, blast furnaces, water treatment plants, storage and process tanks, and smokestacks
• Install refractory brick and other heat-resistant materials in fireboxes or pressure vessels
• Install and maintain the enormous pipes used in dams to send water to and from hydroelectric power generation turbines

Boilermakers often work outdoors in all kinds of weather, including extreme heat and cold. Since dams, boilers, storage tanks, and pressure vessels are usually huge, Boilermakers often work at great heights. Boilermakers collaborate with other tradespeople, such as pipefitters, electricians, and engineers.

The insides of boilers, vats, and tanks make for dark, damp, poorly ventilated and cramped spaces. Travelling to worksites and staying away from home are standard features of this occupation.

Most Boilermakers work full-time in shifts that may include extended overtime schedules to meet construction/production deadlines or when equipment is shut down during spring or fall for maintenance or repair. The likelihood of emergencies may mandate being on-call.

Research suggests that flexible hours appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the work pressure.

Finding a new job may be challenging. Boilermakers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies. Since most field construction and repair is contract work, there may be periods of unemployment when a contract ends. Summer and winter may also signal significant maintenance completion and possible unemployment.

Boilermakers are generally employed by:

• Utility System Construction Firms
• Oil Refineries
• Chemical Plants
• Iron and Steel Industries
• Railroad Companies
• Non-Residential Building Construction Companies
• Heating Contractors
• Plumbing Contractors
• Air-Conditioning Contractors
• Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Companies
• Other Building Equipment Contractors

Professional associations and organisations, such as The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, are crucial for Boilermakers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Physically demanding and dangerous work that requires optimal levels of stamina, manual dexterity and coordination to spend long hours on one’s feet, lifting, moving, and assembling heavy components
• Exhaustion and potential health issues caused by working outside in all types of weather, including extreme heat and cold
• The need to work inside cramped, dark, damp, noisy, and poorly ventilated spaces inside boilers, vats, or tanks that may lead to injuries and illnesses
• Cuts from power grinders, muscle strains from lifting heavy parts and tools, and bruises or broken bones from falling off ladders or large vessels
• Likelihood of burns from acetylene torches; exposure to intense noise, heat, and fumes from the boilers and other equipment
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials
• An unstable source of employment that depends on the employer’s ability to get profitable contracts
• Lack of work-life balance when away from home for extended periods

Aspiring Boilermakers typically learn the trade through formal apprenticeships.

Although the exact number might differ, apprentices must accumulate at least 144 hours of related classroom instruction/technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. 

The technical training imparts essential knowledge about metals, blueprint reading and sketching, installation techniques, general construction techniques, first aid, and safety practices. Apprentices learn how to signal crane operators and use relevant tools and equipment on the job.

The apprenticeship includes mastering tasks outside the classroom that align perfectly with lessons inside it. You will learn company-specific safety and maintenance procedures for the equipment necessary for the job. You will also learn about computer programmes and software used by the company.

In addition, one may hear countless stories and obtain valuable hands-on experience from more experienced professionals who can turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Typically the programme, sponsored by prospective employers, unions, and contractor associations, lasts four years, at the end of which apprentices will be qualified journey-level workers who can perform the requisite tasks under the supervision of more experienced Boilermakers. 

Applicants with prior experience as welders, pipefitters, millwrights, or sheet metal workers may have the edge over those without such knowledge and may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship since the core training for these occupations is similar to the training for Boilermakers.

Alternatively, one can attend trade or technical school classes and combine the knowledge and skills acquired with employer-provided real-work experience. An entry-level associate boilermaker position offers a taste of the work and improves one’s prospects of getting a permanent job.

Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an interesting organisation, so you can have fun while learning about yourself and be directed toward a future career. 

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experienced Boilermakers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

A high school diploma or equivalent is sufficient to become a Boilermaker. Follow it up with a welding certificate from an accredited educational institution.

Recommended high school courses include mathematics (geometry will help you understand how to take and analyse measurements) and welding or woodworking to familiarise yourself with heavy machinery and electric tools that will regularly feature in your future. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, your professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field. 

Certification demonstrates a Boilermaker’s competency in a skill set, typically through work experience, training and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Welding, engineering technologies, and construction certifications from an objective and reputed organisation can teach students the knowledge and skills required to build and install boilers correctly and safely. In addition, the credentials would prove advantageous in gaining access to a coveted apprenticeship programme or competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent. 

Some regions mandate industrial boiler licences for Boilermakers. Check with your prospective employer for more details. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires passing an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience or training, and completing an internship or apprenticeship.

Boilermakers may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media and drug screening.

Performance, experience, and acquiring professional qualifications drive a Boilermaker's career progression. Their career path may include roles of increasing responsibility, such as Foreman, Supervisor, Superintendent, and Project Manager.

Some incumbents with an entrepreneurial bent of mind may choose to begin their own business after accumulating adequate experience, funds and professional contacts.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and exciting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable and transferable skills along the way.

Physically fit candidates with the requisite coordination, manual dexterity, technical competency, mechanical aptitude, reading comprehension skills, and the inclination to travel to project sites and spend prolonged periods away from home will have the best job prospects as Boilermakers.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Boilermaker build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education or self-directed learning. 

In addition to having the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications, which increase one’s chances of advancement and becoming an independent consultant.

With climate change and global warming gaining traction worldwide, Boilermakers who want to stay relevant must keep abreast of the latest developments in the search for cleaner energy solutions.

Complete recommended training programmes to become certified in advanced skills. Short courses also help forward-looking Boilermakers pick up diverse skills, while industry-sponsored forums provide opportunities to learn from the experts and make valuable business connections.

Networking is an effective tool to find professional peers who can help advance your career, showcase your skills, gain recognition in the industry, and learn about lucrative job openings.

In Brief

Although a Boilermaker now refers to a tradesperson who assembles, maintains, and repairs boilers and other large containers, the term originated from artisans who made boilers. The trade evolved from industrial blacksmithing and was why boilermakers were referred to as boilersmiths in the early 19th c. 

It was the changeover from wood to iron as a construction material that led to the involvement of Boilermakers in the shipbuilding and engineering industries. Since they were already fabricating iron boilers for wooden ships, it was easier and cheaper to hire individuals with an overlap of requisite skills to build ships and, later, anything large made of iron, steel, stainless steel, or copper.

Today, many buildings, factories, and ships use boilers, tanks, and vats. Boilers heat water or other liquids under extreme pressure to generate electric power and provide heat. Large tanks and vats help process and store chemicals, oil, beer, and the like.

Take Your Pick

Construction Boilermakers help set up new industrial systems or expand existing facilities by fabricating, assembling, and installing new boilers, tanks, and pressure vessels.

Their expertise in diagnosing problems, replacing worn-out parts, and conducting repairs is why Maintenance and Repair Boilermakers are responsible for the continued safe and efficient operation of industrial equipment, which may have developed leaks, corrosion, or mechanical failures.

An in-depth knowledge of industrial processes and systems and familiarity with the rules and regulations on large-scale industrial appliances help Industrial Boilermakers install, maintain, and repair industrial-grade boilers and containers in power plants, refineries, and manufacturing locations.

Boiler Inspectors assess the condition, structural integrity, and functionality of boilers and pressure vessels through inspections and non-destructive tests before issuing certifications to verify their safety and compliance with regulatory and industry standards.

Advanced expertise in diverse, high-quality, and precise welding techniques enables Welding Specialists to guarantee solid and secure welds during the construction, repair, and maintenance of boilers and other large metal containers.

Tools of the Trade

Although most manufacturers have automated the production of boilers for improved quality, Boilermakers continue to use hand and power tools and flame-cutting torches to cut the component pieces that make up the boilers, vats and other large containers they assemble. Plumb bobs, levels, wedges, and turnbuckles help them bend the pieces into shape and line them up accurately, as per blueprint specifications. 

Large cranes lift huge pieces and place them correctly. Metalworking machinery helps remove irregular edges off the lined-up parts during installation so they can fit together perfectly. Finally, Boilermakers join the parts by bolting, welding, or riveting them together.

Safety First

Boilermakers wear hard hats, earplugs, and safety glasses to reduce workplace injury risk. They often wear a respirator when working in enclosed spaces.

Current Scenario

The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, occupation size, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.

The relative cost of coal versus natural gas impacts the job growth of Boilermakers. 

Coal-fired power plants require more boilers, increasing installation and maintenance jobs. However, if coal continues to cost more than natural gas, the demand for Boilermakers will shrink. 

In that case, utility companies that must continuously upgrade and replace boiler parts in compliance with local clean air regulations will be the primary source of job opportunities. 

Nevertheless, since the work is physically demanding and potentially dangerous, there may be vacancies created by qualified professionals seeking other jobs. In addition, the workers who retire and exit the labour force will also need to be replaced. 

Besides, peak building activity in healthy economies during favourable weather leads to increased employment of Boilermakers, to the extent that there may be workforce shortages at times.

Although boilers typically last for decades, there will be an ongoing need for Boilermakers to replace and maintain boiler tubes, heating elements, and ductwork. Although the recommended shift away from coal-fired electricity generation will reduce the need for boilers, the erection and repair of air pollution equipment, blast furnaces, water treatment plants, storage and process tanks, smokestacks, huge pipes used in dams, fireboxes, and pressure vessels translates into more stable employment for Boilermakers.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Boilermakers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, full-time Boilermakers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Boilermakers are also experts in boiler repair, a high-value, high-cost service since even the smallest steam boilers for dry cleaners and tailors can cost upwards of USD20,000 to replace.

Boilermakers are intrepid souls who brave extreme temperatures, lofty heights, and cramped spaces to assemble, maintain, and repair large metal containers; their expertise helps prevent potential accidents and breakdowns and mitigates expensive downtime and production losses.

The best way to prevent job-related injuries and illnesses is to educate yourself on safety procedures, the proper use of equipment and tools, and safe workplace behaviours.