Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.
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Introduction
Boilermakers are tradespeople who cut, shape, assemble and weld steel to construct and repair metal products and structures for boilers, ships, iron and steel structures and other vessels. They also test completed boilers and perform routine maintenance. Boilermakers are also often required to upgrade boilers to meet environmental standards and increase their efficiency.
Job responsibilities of a boiler maker include:· analyzing blueprints
· installing boilers
· evaluating the performance of boiler systems
· repairing boilers
A welder’s primary duty is to join metal parts together. They may also fix holes in metal objects as well. They work on the metal components of various structures to include pipelines, bridges, power plants, buildings, refineries, automobiles, or ships. There is also more to welding than most people may realize. For instance, there are more than 100 different welding processes a welder can use, but the most common is arc welding.
Job responsibilities of a welder include:
· using electricity to generate heat
See AlsoJob Profile: Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker) -Boilermaker Jobs Australia | HaysBoilermaker job description16 Boilermaker Interview Questions (With Example Answers)· following safety processes for dealing with materials at high temperatures
· inspecting welding materials
· preventing overheating during welding
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Education Requirements
Workers normally enter into welder and boilermaker jobs via an apprenticeship.
Intending boilermakers who start at apprenticeship level generally pursue a Certificate III in Engineering –Fabrication Trade. Most employees start as apprentices and are expected to gain a Certificate III or IV during their four year apprenticeship
Welders follow a similar path to boilermakers also usually starting in the trade by taking up a four year engineering trades fabrication apprenticeship. They also are expected to gain a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade with an emphasis on welding units.
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Career Path
These tradespersons find employment in the construction, shipbuilding, mining and oil and gas industry. Boilermakers trained in structural fabrication may be involved in fitting, assembling and joining aluminium and steel in the construction or repair of towers, bridges, structural supports, girders and ships. Welder - First Class who constructs or repairs metal products by joining parts either manually (using a variety of welding methods including electric arc, MIG and TIG welding or oxy-acetylene welding) or by machine. These parts are used to complete structures and equipment (e.g. ships, bridges, pipelines, vehicles and domestic appliances). First class welders may specialise as special class welders, welding a range of metals (e.g. mild steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium, copper, brass, diecast metal and magnesium). After further assessment, first class welders may specialise as pressure welders, assembling, welding and repairing pressure vessels such as storage tanks, pipelines and gas cylinders to special test standards.
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Nature of the Job
Using engineering drawings, Boilermakers and Welders fabricate from a flat piece of steel to create structural forms using measuring, cutting, rolling, heating, forming and welding. A Welding and Boilermaking Apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to gain hands on experience in this exciting field while you work towards a nationally recognised qualification.
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Typical Physical Working Environment
A boilermaker performs physically demanding and high risk work and must be strong enough to move heavy vat components into place. They must have high endurance because they spend many hours on their feet while lifting heavy boiler components.
They often work outdoors in all types of weather, including extreme heat and cold. Dams, boilers, storage tanks, and pressure vessels are usually large. Therefore, boilermakers often work at great heights. When working on a dam, for example, they may be hundreds of feet above the ground. A boilermaker can also work in smaller quarters.
Typical Occupational Example
Boilermaker, Metal Fabricator, Pressure Welder, Welder, Welder (first class), Fitter-welder, Plastics Fabricator or Welder, Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
See AlsoBoilermaker Job Description -
Typical Occupational Example
Craig, a First Class boilermaker/welder and workshop manager says that among the various welding methods used, manual metal arc welding (or stick welding as its known in the industry) is a commonly used method. Arc welding involves two large metal alligator clips carrying a strong electrical current. One clip is attached to any part of the work piece (metal part) being welded while the second clip is attached to a thin welding rod. When the rod touches the metal part a powerful electrical circuit is created. Craig also recommends that people interested in this occupation demonstrate excellent hand eye coordination and that they be able to perform an ongoing high standard of work. They should also like to work with their hands and be able to concentrate on detailed work for a long period of time. According to industry representatives the demand for welders is currently strong and anticipated to remain so for several years.
For further information, contact:
Manufacturing Skills Australia
Phone: 1800 358 458
Email: info@mskills.com.au
Web: www.makeit.net.auAustralian Manufacturing Workers' Union (SA)
Phone: (08) 8366 5800
Email: info@amwu.asn.au
Web: www.amwu.org.auEngineering Employers Association, South Australia
Phone: (08) 8300 0133
As a seasoned professional within the welding and metal fabrication domain, I've amassed substantial hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the diverse facets encompassed within this field. My expertise extends across various aspects of metalwork, welding techniques, fabrication methodologies, and occupational demands akin to the roles of boilermakers and welders.
Let's delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article:
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Boilermakers: These skilled artisans specialize in shaping, assembling, and welding steel to fabricate and repair various metal structures, including boilers, ships, and steel frameworks. They analyze blueprints, install boilers, evaluate their performance, and conduct routine maintenance. Boilermakers often upgrade boilers to meet environmental standards and enhance efficiency.
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Welders: Their primary duty involves joining metal parts together, repairing metal objects, and working on various structures using different welding processes. Welders utilize over 100 welding techniques, with arc welding being the most prevalent. Responsibilities include generating heat using electricity, adhering to safety protocols, inspecting welding materials, and preventing overheating during the welding process.
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Education Requirements: Entry into these professions often commences through apprenticeships. Boilermakers typically pursue a Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade, while welders embark on a similar four-year engineering trades fabrication apprenticeship, also acquiring a Certificate III in Engineering with a focus on welding units.
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Career Path: Boilermakers and welders find employment in diverse industries such as construction, shipbuilding, mining, and oil/gas. They may specialize in structural fabrication, pressure welding, or first-class welding, working on projects like towers, bridges, pipelines, and vehicles.
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Nature of the Job: Both boilermakers and welders use engineering drawings to fabricate structural forms from steel, employing various techniques like measuring, cutting, rolling, heating, forming, and welding.
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Physical Working Environment: The job demands physical strength, endurance, and the ability to work in diverse conditions. Boilermakers work outdoors, often at great heights, moving heavy components and enduring extreme weather.
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Occupational Examples: Titles associated with these professions include Boilermaker, Metal Fabricator, Pressure Welder, Welder (first class), Fitter-welder, and more.
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Testimonial & Demand: Testimony from a seasoned professional emphasizes the use of manual metal arc welding, stressing the need for excellent hand-eye coordination, precision, and sustained attention to detail. The industry's demand for welders is currently robust and expected to remain so for years.
This comprehensive overview encompasses the educational path, career trajectory, occupational demands, physical requirements, and insights from industry professionals related to the fields of boilermaking and welding. For further information or guidance, resources such as Manufacturing Skills Australia, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (SA), or the Engineering Employers Association in South Australia can be valuable points of contact.
