7234 – Boilermakers

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.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

• Boiler fitter
• Boiler installer
• Boiler repairer
• Boiler repairman/woman
• Boiler shop mechanic
• Boilermaker
• Boilermaker apprentice
• Boilermaker-welder
• Construction boilermaker
• Erection and repair boilermaker
• Industrial boilermaker
• Industrial construction boilermaker
• Industrial heat exchanger boilermaker
• Journeyman/woman boilermaker
• Maintenance boilermaker
• Marine boilermaker
• Pressure vessel boilermaker
• Pressure vessel fabricator

Main duties

This group performs 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, in all provinces, to qualified boilermakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Additional information

• The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
• Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Exclusions

• Ironworkers (7236)
• Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (7235)
• Supervisors of boilermakers (in 7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)
• Welders and related machine operators (7237)