 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
BOILERMAKER |
  |
Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Boilermakers build, erect, repair, test and maintain all types of boilers, tanks and pressure vessels, and perform all types of structural and plate work on dust, air, gas, steam, oil, water and other liquid-tight containers.
Boilermakers also erect and install boilers, sometimes working on scaffolds, and repair and maintain existing boilers and related metal products.
To fabricate and repair boilers, tanks, heat exchangers, fired heaters, reactors and other pressure vessels, boilermakers:
Boilermakers generally work on construction sites. Working conditions are often cramped, dirty and involve exposure to chemical vapours, wetness or high noise levels. The normal work week is 40 hours, but some overtime may be required. Traveling may also be considered a necessary part of the job.
There is always some risk of injury involved in working with heavy equipment, especially when working at considerable heights.
Successful boilermakers tend to enjoy:
To be successful in their trade, boilermakers need:
Boilermakers are employed in the following industries: metal fabricating, construction, shipbuilding, rail transport, petroleum and coal products, electric power, iron and steel, and oil and gas. In the construction industry, they are primarily employed in the construction of industrial plants such as pulp mills, mine mills, generating plants, and oil and gas plants. Employment prospects in this occupation are affected by changes in economic conditions, and employment may be seasonal, particularly for those in the construction industry.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $23 to $31 an hour plus benefits.
Boilermakers may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman or superintendent.
To work as a Boilermaker in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Boilermakers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A boilermaker who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A boilermaker who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Boilermakers who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a boilermaker is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training each year. There are two 6 week blocks of technical training in the first year and, one 6 week block of technical training in the second and third years.
To learn the skills required of a boilermaker in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Goods marks in mathematics, physics, drafting and industrial arts are particularly important.
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice boilermakers earn at least 60 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75 percent in the second, and 90 percent in the third year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for boilermaker apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
- a certified structural steel and plate fitter must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a boilermaker
- a certified ironworker must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a boilermaker
- a certified welder must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a boilermaker
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
