Boilermaker

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The Work

Boilermakers are complete metal fabricators who build and repair ships, fishing boats, ferries, barges, cranes, offshore drilling platforms, boilers, tanks, pressure vessels, plate and structural fabrications. Boilermakers perform welding, automatic and manual burning, blueprint reading, layout and template making, CAD (computer aided drawings), rigging, operation of mobile and stationary cranes, operation of shears, brakes, rolls, drill press, saws and all other metal fabrication equipment.

Working Conditions
Apprentices are required to work in close and confined spaces inside boilers, vats or tanks or work in high places on top of large vessels. Workers often use acetylene torches, power grinders and other potentially dangerous equipment. The work is very hard and dirty, heavy lifting is required. There are often periods of unemployment between jobs.

The Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship, depending upon trade, requires 6,000-7200 hours (three to four years) of hands on training and 144-176 hours of classroom training per year. Some programs require twenty (20) on-job-training modules to be completed as the various hands on training hours are completed. Classroom instruction is usually in the evenings on your own time although some training may be at the Boilermakers National Training Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Apprentices may also be required to pass a performance-based test each year.

Apprenticeship Entry Requirements

• At least 18 years old, with proof such as birth certificate
• High school diploma or GED, with transcript
• Letters of recommendation
• Committee interview
• Must score 70 percent or higher on basic math test
• Willing to complete related study courses and attend classroom instruction
• Willing to abide by the standards and rules of the area apprenticeship committee
• Willing to take drug and alcohol tests annually