DRAUGHT-DRAUGHT-GFESs STORY OF APPRENTICEASHIP MF-Welding
See Also May 2019 post - check for duplication
Copied from my email ‘original DRAUGHT’
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BONNYBRIDGE STIRLINGSHIRE SCOTLAND; As a Metal
Fabrication/Welding Indentured Apprentice, and 5 years later as a
qualified Tradesman, with Technical Education qualifications, including the Intermediate City and Guilds Certificate.
https://www.tafesa.edu.au/xml/profile/profile_OCC124.aspx [Paste this url into your browser to see one of the best ads about what my trade -Metal Fabrication/Welding- is all about].
In essence, a Boilermaker usually was covered by the Boilermakers Union, which was mostly to do with shipbuilding.
Whereas, Metal Fabrication/welding, was covered by the Amalgamated Engineering Union. i.e. land based workshops doing general metal fabrications in all sorts of metals, including stainless steel, copper, as well as steel, and the welding/brazing/riveting of such fabrications.
I didn’t think much of my achievements, as i thought that what I saw other tradesmen do in Scotland, I was just a babe in the woods in comparison. I knew that I had a lot to learn! it was a bit daunting, seeing the huge blueprints and their commensurate machines, used to form and cut the shapes required. The American Drawings were the best. Very detailed with cutting lists already laid out. Whereas the UK ones, the tradesman had to calculate all sizes, which certainly up-skilled a person but wasted a lot of time in planning. however the fact that you had to calculate cutting sizes also made you more careful in reading the blueprint.
https://www.tafesa.edu.au/xml/profile/profile_OCC124.aspx [Paste this url into your browser to see one of the best ads about what my trade -Metal Fabrication/Welding- is all about].
In essence, a Boilermaker usually was covered by the Boilermakers Union, which was mostly to do with shipbuilding.
Whereas, Metal Fabrication/welding, was covered by the Amalgamated Engineering Union. i.e. land based workshops doing general metal fabrications in all sorts of metals, including stainless steel, copper, as well as steel, and the welding/brazing/riveting of such fabrications.
I didn’t think much of my achievements, as i thought that what I saw other tradesmen do in Scotland, I was just a babe in the woods in comparison. I knew that I had a lot to learn! it was a bit daunting, seeing the huge blueprints and their commensurate machines, used to form and cut the shapes required. The American Drawings were the best. Very detailed with cutting lists already laid out. Whereas the UK ones, the tradesman had to calculate all sizes, which certainly up-skilled a person but wasted a lot of time in planning. however the fact that you had to calculate cutting sizes also made you more careful in reading the blueprint.
Tradesmen
explained much to the new apprentice. i shuddered at the task of
calculating the cutting sizes, but everyone was very supportive of a new
apprentice and didn’t expect miracles.
Safety,
yes, but years of working in my Grandad’s sawmill at Bonnybank, between
the Bonny river and the Forth and Clyde Canal, made me very aware of
much of the dangers.
Yet,
most of the tradesmen, were very good at taking a new apprentice. One
of the reasons being, that the men were on a ‘piece’ rate, i.,e. Bonus
Work, where-by the were given a certain number of hours to make
a fabrication, and, theoretically, if, for example, the job was costed
by the estimator to take say, 20 hours to fabricate and weld, then if it
only took 10 hours, the tradesman, could make twice the pay. Any
percentage under the estimators time was a bonus. However, when the job,
assuming that it was a a repetitious job, was done faster, then the
hours were knocked down for the next time that particular fabrication
was on offer. So it did not pay the men to be too greedy. And, if the
tradesman had a an apprentice, then the apprentice’s work time was a
bonus to the tradesman, by making the job quicker.
After
I was 18, I was able to do ‘Bonus Work’, which helped Maw, as we three
laddies, Billy, me and Jock, always handed our unopened pays to Maw. Maw
gave us ‘pocket money’ as well as 'buying all of oor clothes'
Billy
was 2 years older than me and Jock was 2 years younger. But all three
of us ate like horses, and when we went tae the dancin, Maw always
bought for clothes[usually from the Coop Store, on her dividend
savings], as well as feeding 3 growin laddies.
Where
I won was that I was still doing the Sunday papers til i was about 20
years auld. as a 10yr old, I would be doing afternoon papers, standing
outside one of the foundries as the workers flooded out to get on their
buses to homes a good way away. Or riding their bikes the 2-3 or so
miles locally. But most simply walked hame, as many lived in the village
and its surrounds. When I started my apprenticeship, I had to give up
the morning/afternoon paper deliveries.
After
school, ca 4pm, Mon-Fri, as a some 11-15 year old laddie, I would bike
down to Wattie Gray’s paper shop at the Bonnybridge Toll, pick up the
afternoon papers and cycle on our homemade bike made from spare parts
salvaged at the local tip. On one occasion, Brother Billy and I searched
the tip up Bonnyside road and 'lo and behold' a dismantled bike frame
and parts was just lying there, including the loose ball-bearings so
needed for the moving parts. What a find. We built it with Dad’s help
and 'lo and behold' that was indeed a miracle, especially for ‘heathen’s
like us wains.
But Maw
who took us to church on Sundays would have said that being humble i.e.
keeping your eyes on the road was why we found all of the ball bearings!
Dad helped us build the bike and we painted it with paint obtained from
our grandad’s steam engine paint stock-tho he didn’t know that’s why
his paint supplies were diminished. But after we did such a magnificent
fitting job, brother Billy decided, as the elder brother that he would
have first go on the bike. Sometime later he came back all bruised and
Maw was most upset at her oldest laddie wae his knees all skint. it
would seem that Brother Billy had been cycling doon a wee hill past the
Bonnybridge Nurses Home and hit a pothole which ejected him in the
air, skarting the newly painted bike and some of his skin. I seem
to remember a good few years later Brother Billy got a loan of Brother
Jock’s pride and joy, a Greaves motorbike and coming doon tae the
bainsford bridge over the Forth and Clyde Canal, he was up the back of
an Alexander’s double decker bus, when the bus had to brake suddenly to
allow oncoming traffic on the single lane bridge to pass. However,
Billy, unfortunately, couldn’t brake the bike quick enough, which meant
that he spent a good few hours in the local hospital getting ‘plastered
up’ after running through the back of the bus. BROTHER JOCK WAS NOT
AMUSED! His new greaves was a write-off.
Noo back tae Paperboy stuff!
And,
After breakfast on a Sunday morning, about 6.30am, I would bike or walk
down to Bonnybridge Toll to WATTIE Gray’s Newsagent shop
But,
from about 12 year old I was already doing Sunday paper deliveries.
Then when about 13yrs old, I was asked by the Newsagent to come in early - about 7am[as
his ’ senior boy’ might have decided that he was ‘ above paperboy
duties and gave up the paper round] - to help him split the bundled
papers into the correct amounts for each individual run. This entailed
each paperboy being able to gauge what customers on his run bought. it
was all oral information which Auld Wattie Gray kept for his estimating
how many papers varieties were needed.
There were the Scots papers,
the Sunday Post and Mail , then the English ones, The People, The News
of the World and others, as well as magazines. Now, the paper bags
would hold about 40 papers each. They were heavy and were best carried
crosswise across the opposite shoulders. So, after sorting out the some
10 or so runs, for the other paperboys, covering the village, I would
take my lot, returning to the shop after a couple of hours. When i came
back, many times a paperboy didn’t turn up an auld wattie would ask me
to do that, as well as the first one, which I always did. Beside this I
had my regular 2nd run along Falkirk Road down through Thornton Avenue
and then along Gateside Avenue[ where we lived at number 15] then after
my second breakfast about 11 am - my second after having a breakfast
earlier in the morning at about 6.30am that Maw prepared, I would carry
on along Gateside to my mate, Don Alexanders house at number ca29, where
his mum would give me another breakfast. She had more upmarket food as
the Alexanders were quite well off being related to the Alexander Bus
Company as well as Mrs Alexander, being from the Showfolks related to
Maw’s Mum’s Bastables.
AS
A PAPER BOYI HAD A VERY GOOD EDUCATION IN SEX. Because, when the
Profumo affair[1961]Politicians with prostitutes, Christine Keeler and
Mandy Rice Davies ] hit the press, well wasn’t I in high demand as
papers fairly reached peek demand from the multitude of customers, some
very prim and proper PEOPLE buying such racy newspapers, just prior to
decamping for the early masses and church services. They should have
been ashamed that they had a 18 year old innocent faced paperboy like me
from a guid christian hame being shocked by almost nude photos et al.
If my Maw had known what I had to do to ———?
FOOD SUPPLIES AND HUNGER
After
these food supplies I wended my way back to the shop finishing off my
Sunday papers. But occasionally, a laddie wouldn’t turn up and i would
do another run. What with the early Newspaper shop duties, the 1 to 3
runs that i would do quite regular, and the tips from, mainly
the pensioners, I would have made more than my first two years as a an
apprentice. But, my busy social life at the dancing’ and takin’ girls
out, it was a full-time joab. i was pleased to be going tae my work as a
metal Fabrication/Welding apprenticeship for a rest!
DAD’S INTERVENTION IN APPRENTICESHIP
Dad got me a 5 yr apprenticeship at Dad's foundry as a 'Metal
Fabricator/Welder' in the fabrication Shop. I was a lucky laddie, where
parents 'spoke' for their family in being placed in work. All the rest
is history, I ❤️ ed Tech College and was given Day Release to attend
Tech, one day per week, as well as my voluntary 3-4 evenings a week,
doing well.
When mum and I migrated to AUS, your Mum's Office Admin quals and my apprentice quals were a key factor in us being accepted at our Edinburgh interview with 'Australian interviewers, where we were 'lauded' by our Aussie interviewer in Edinburgh. We were fair chuffed at his positive comments.
When mum and I migrated to AUS, your Mum's Office Admin quals and my apprentice quals were a key factor in us being accepted at our Edinburgh interview with 'Australian interviewers, where we were 'lauded' by our Aussie interviewer in Edinburgh. We were fair chuffed at his positive comments.
Dad
told me that there were three apprenticeships going and that i had an
interview for a job. There was the drawing office traineeship, the
toolmaking apprenticeship and the Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship going.
But,
back to my apprentice start at 15 year old. Mr Paterson, the Personnel
Officer, in charge of such employment issues as hiring, firing and
training, never really explained much, about the actual job. He took us
apprentices up to the place of work and left us with the Manager of the
shop to allocate us to our tradesman, who was the person that was
responsible for apprentice practical training, on the job, including
safety.
THE ORDER OF THINGS
But,
then, as a new bod on the works floor, what more could anyone expect,
as any explanation besides the myriad things told to me at employment,
was replete in its myriad of things that had to be done, to just get
started. I really cannot remember the first time I met with Mr
Patterson, except to know that he had spoken with Dad, who worked in
the Chattan, at his trade as an iron fitter. Dad fitted the component
parts of moulded castings into the shape of whatever heating stove that
was to be built. These ranged from just ordinary heating
wood/coal/anthracite fired stoves to ornate cooking stoves which catered
for food as well as baking provisions, with or without boilers fitted,
that provided much needed hot water for bathing and cooking purposes.
MARRIAGE AND MIGRATION
It
wasn’t til much later when Eleanor and i married in August 1963 and
migrated by ship to Sydney 12 Dec 1963-13 Jan 1964, that I appreciated
the very thorough trade training and technical education and training
that I had gained. The Technical Education received in Scotland,
including the external London City & Guilds system of external
exams, which made me a very ‘coveted’ employee.
ALTHOUGH
I DIDN’T THINK THAT I WAS ‘a coveted employee', AS, I HADN’T REALLY
APPRECIATE THE VERY THOROUGH TRAINING THAT I HAD RECEIVED IN SCOTLAND,
IN COMPARISON TO THE MANY BLOKES HERE IN THE TRADES, [in the 1960.s when
we migrated], WHO HAD BEEN MORE OR LESS DILUTEES DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF
QUALIFIED TRADESMEN. THIS IN NO WAY DIMINISHES THE LOCAL TECHNICAL
EDUCATION SYSTEM, JUST THAT IT HIGHLIGHTED THE THE GREAT NEED FOR
TRADESMEN, BEING ‘INFILLED’ BY QUALIFIED PEOPLE LIKE ME AND TO A GREAT
EXTENT, UNQUALIFIED MIGRANTS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME ‘QUALIFIED
ON THE JOB TRAINING’.
UNIONS
UNIONS
Now
this is just a rough explanation of the so called ‘differences’, but it
would also be true to say that it was about unions fighting to
‘control’ membership to their union[AS ALWAYS], which gave them power at
the next level within the union movement, as MPs, where access
to political power, as MPs, to further the cause of
Labour/Communist/Socialist values.NB these values were different
according to the belief systems of the various unions and the members
therein.
START OF MY APPRENTICESHIP
START OF MY APPRENTICESHIP
I
started my apprenticeship in Scotland at Mitchell & Russell Chattan
foundry, in Bonnyside Rd, Bonnybridge, a some, 10 min bike ride, or 30
min fast walk away from home at 15 Gateside Avenue Bonnybridge. The
‘Chattan’, as we called it was mainly set up as a cast iron foundry,
making solid fuel fired, cast iron stoves, as were the dozens of such
foundries in Scotland from mid-late 1800’s to some time after I
finished my apprenticeship in 1963. Stove making foundries were well and
truly on the way to oblivion by the time I finished my apprenticeship.
People had relied on the solid fuel[coal/coke/anthracite fuelled]
cooking appliances due to the great abundance of coal [and its less
‘poisonous' derivatives such as anthracite and coke and also timber
fuels available].
AUSTRALIAN CONNECTIONS
NB
It was quite an eye-opener for me to see the number of Scottish made
fuel stoves here in Australia, especially up-country, where wood fuel
was plentiful. No wonder that Country women were so famous for their
baking and cooking, given the hundreds of thousands of these fuel
stoves exported to ‘the Colonies’. Even in Kurri Kurri, I remember going
down to Cowboy Wilson’s house and there was an ‘Esse’ cooker, Just as i
had seen later, in Country NSW and, as well on my visit to
South Africa, staying with Eleanor’s sister Dana McBride, husband Bert,
and family in Vanderbilt Park, Vereeniging in South Africa]. In fact,
Smith and Wellstood, along with other Scots stove makers, had factories
in South Africa.
SMOG[Smoke and Fog]
SMOG[Smoke and Fog]
But,
what with the advent of SMOG [C1 a mixture of smoke, gases,
and chemicals, especially in cities, that makes
the atmosphere difficult to breathe and harmful for health:] WHICH ALONG
WITH CIGARETTES and alcohol, CAUSED MASSIVE health problems in Britain,
and I dare say in all industrialised countries. i well remember, when
delivering Sunday papers early, in Bonnybridge, the lorries that passed
through our village taking local Falkirk area made stoves being
transported to Glasgow docks in their Commer lorries, which had a
distinctive ‘putta-putta-putta-putta’, exhaust sound from their engines
as they passed through.
GETTING AN APPRENTICESHIP.
My dad told me that there were 3 jobs going; Metal Fabrication/Welding Apprenticeship, Toolmaking Apprenticeship, and, Draughtsman Apprenticeship.
Now the hierarchy of jobs was such that the draughtsman position was taken by the son of one of the Managers. This was the job I wanted, as I did very well at High School Technical Drawing and metalwork/woodwork, where I built an adjustable sloping topped desk for use in 15 Gateside Avenue, our Ellis abode . The second job, which in the hierarchy of trades was much wanted was taken by the son of one of the foremen. And, as it was, I was lucky to get the third and last available apprenticeship, of Metal Fabrication-Welding. Now, i got that as my Dad was well respected as a a stove fitter tradesman, and, his work with the Bonnybridge juvenile football [soccer-see my copy of Bonnybridge local History for mention of Dad- GEORGE REID ELLIS- in his work with the juvenile football]. This, had gotten me this job interview and the subsequent apprenticeship[MetalFabrication Apprentice].
STARTING WORK IN MA BOILERSUIT
I started at the Metal Fabrication/Welding trade in July 1958, after my last year [3rd year] at Denny High School finished prior to the June/July Holidays[NB I have to check all of these dates as i’m only going on memory.] i finished my trade apprenticeship at the end of July??1963, some 5 years of loving what i did. By this time I had finished 3 years at Falkirk Trades School, down next to the Forth and Clyde Canal at Bainsford, then the last two years or so at the brand newly built Falkirk Technical College, next to the Ice rink. In the meantime I was completing various levels of the London City and Guilds qualifications external exams supervised at the tech College.
GETTING AN APPRENTICESHIP.
My dad told me that there were 3 jobs going; Metal Fabrication/Welding Apprenticeship, Toolmaking Apprenticeship, and, Draughtsman Apprenticeship.
Now the hierarchy of jobs was such that the draughtsman position was taken by the son of one of the Managers. This was the job I wanted, as I did very well at High School Technical Drawing and metalwork/woodwork, where I built an adjustable sloping topped desk for use in 15 Gateside Avenue, our Ellis abode . The second job, which in the hierarchy of trades was much wanted was taken by the son of one of the foremen. And, as it was, I was lucky to get the third and last available apprenticeship, of Metal Fabrication-Welding. Now, i got that as my Dad was well respected as a a stove fitter tradesman, and, his work with the Bonnybridge juvenile football [soccer-see my copy of Bonnybridge local History for mention of Dad- GEORGE REID ELLIS- in his work with the juvenile football]. This, had gotten me this job interview and the subsequent apprenticeship[MetalFabrication Apprentice].
STARTING WORK IN MA BOILERSUIT
I started at the Metal Fabrication/Welding trade in July 1958, after my last year [3rd year] at Denny High School finished prior to the June/July Holidays[NB I have to check all of these dates as i’m only going on memory.] i finished my trade apprenticeship at the end of July??1963, some 5 years of loving what i did. By this time I had finished 3 years at Falkirk Trades School, down next to the Forth and Clyde Canal at Bainsford, then the last two years or so at the brand newly built Falkirk Technical College, next to the Ice rink. In the meantime I was completing various levels of the London City and Guilds qualifications external exams supervised at the tech College.
NB
In Scots schools, we sat an ’11 plus’ exam, which streamed you into one
or other vocation. I did well and had the option of going to High
School where I could be in the ‘A’class where you had to take two
languages and commercial subjects, which i didn’t want to do. I chose a
‘B’ class where I took Woodwork ands metalwork and one language, French
and only 3 years at high school, then work. If i had have been a bit
more cluey, I could have done Latin AND French and commercial subjects,
but none of which i really wanted to do. So the trades it was, and I’ve
never regretted that decision as I did very well at Tech and that led to
a great time as an apprentice and enrolling in Tech, which was so far
removed from staying at High school being treated as a child.
MARRIAGE AND STUDY
Whilst
i did well in my first four years doing so i failed the last year [due
to love interests that had started to take up my other interests when I
met Eleanor Polland at Whitburn dancing]. Ah love! or, as the French
say, c'est la vie.
So what did i fabricate???
NSW Registered OH & S Consultant
BOILERMAKERS QUE!!
In essence a Boilermaker is another name for my trade, but in Scotland [and, to an extent here, in Australia] Boilermaking is associated with metal fabrication in mainly SHEET steel, usually over 1/8th inch thick.
So what did i fabricate???
NSW Registered OH & S Consultant
BOILERMAKERS QUE!!
In essence a Boilermaker is another name for my trade, but in Scotland [and, to an extent here, in Australia] Boilermaking is associated with metal fabrication in mainly SHEET steel, usually over 1/8th inch thick.
READ ALL ABOUT IT,
I Fabricated in scotland
As the newspapers would trumpet, for the next instalment
Things I’ve fabricated
At
tech in scotland i hand beat a copper and brass coal scuttle for MAW
which was my entry for my London City and Gulds final practical exam.
Maw got that as present which she gave to my brother when she migrated
to Sydney. Billy gave away my pride and joy of a coal scuttle? VANDAL!
I
was asked to assist the chief design draftsman for Motherwell Bridge
Company in drawing up full size parts templates of sluice equipment
IN AUS
I fabricated;
Truck cement Mixers
Conveyors for various breweries in Sydney, as well as for installation in the Manly Daily newspaper
The rotating platform for the Centrepoint tower was built by me and another Boillie. Myself and my boilermaker assistant Tony, fabricated the circular
plate that the AMP Centrepoint Tower rotated. I was working at either
Coles Conveyor Company or Favelle & Coles. Both of Alexandria a few
years prior to my teaching in TECH at Sydney ( 1970)
Did outside maintenance work all over parts of Sydney-eg., putting in Fire walls in the Gazebo motel at Kings Cross
i built conveyors at KG Coles
Large scale tanks for storage at ACI Industrial Sheetmetalworq
I welded hard casing onto Cast Iron impellors at Repco Engineering
I built large storage tanks and cement mixers at Armstrong Hollands
I
built ‘Kangaroo' cranes at Favelle and Coles in Alexandria-six of which
went to New York at $M1 each to build the towers that later were
attacked by terrorists blowing the towers up using a plane to crash into
them
There
are many other aspects of my trade that I can’t remember, only to state
that I really enjoyed my trade and the experiences which, assisted by
YOUR LOVELY MUM, ALLOWED US TO BOTH BLOSSOM IN NEW CAREERS-ESPECIALLY
WHAT YOUR MUM DID IN CONSULTANCIES IN NORTH WEST NSW AS WELL AS IN
AUSTRALIA AND OVERSEAS EXPERIENCES.
WITHOUT YOUR MUM, WE WOULD ALL HAVE BEEN DIMINISHED IN WHAT WE ALL ACHIEVED AND STILL WILL ACHIEVE.
TO
MY LOVELY GIRLS[AS WELL AS JOHN, MEGAN AND CAMERON] I OWE YOU ALL SO
MUCH, ALONG WITH GRANNIE FOR THE GREAT LIFE WE STILL LEAD AND HOPE TAE
SEE MANY MAIR O’ THEM.
There were many more places that I worked fabricating;
all
of the above complemented my Scottish Qualifications and work
experience in getting the Boilermaking Teachers position [and later in
management positions, starting in Sydney Tech which took me [and Mum]
through Rural NSW. Colleges included-not in strict order;
Sydney-Newcastle-Cessnock-Musswellbrook-Glendale-Belmont-Kurri Kurri-Maitland-Scone-Granville
Armidale-Tenterfield[Principal]-Moree[Principal]Glen Innes-Tamworth-on the Singleton train-
Bankstown-St George-The Train-
And various colleges as an OH&S Accredited Trainer in Conjunction with my Teaching and Principal Roles
But ask Mum, who could have wrote the song, ‘I’ve been everywhere,,'
THE END
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
DAD’s Note;- The following is just the advert for South Australia TAFE, giving the work profile and salaries of a Boilermaker;
It can be viewed at----https://www.tafesa.edu.au/xml/profile/profile_OCC124.aspx ——
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Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker)
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.
Job Prospects Openings 5 years to November 2018: < 5,000
Salary Range Median weekly earnings: $901 to $1000 to Source: Australian Government Department of Employment 2014
Brief Think of ships, submarines, storage tanks, boilers or any other metal fabricated product, and you have entered a boilermaker's work environment.
There are approximately 2,671 boilermakers working in South Australia. Employment is largely full-time and most work in the Manufacturing industry. Majority of persons in this occupation are males and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This occupation has a younger age profile with less than a third of boilermakers aged 45 years or older.
Quick Profile Navigation
• Courses
• Introduction
• Education Requirements
• Career Path
• Physical Environment
• Occupational Example
TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for: Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker)
Accredited (Award)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade
Introduction
Boilermakers are highly skilled in making and repairing all types of fabricated metal products. They make and repair vessels or containers which hold liquids and gases that create steam, and are able to withstand the pressure that builds inside. One such vessel is a boiler, which supplies steam to drive huge turbines in electric power plants and to provide heat and power in buildings, factories, ships and submarines. Before repairing or making a fabricated metal product, a boilermaker studies design drawings and creates full size patterns or templates. After the various sized and shaped pieces are marked out on metal, it's time to cut, using hand tools, flame cutting torches or a guillotine. The sections of metal are then shaped or bent and accurately lined up, before they are welded together.
Outdoor
Education Requirements
Of those currently employed 60% have either Certificate III or IV; and 5% have Certificate I or II. Around 30% of boilermakers have no post-school qualification. It is recommended that you gain the available qualifications to get the best possible chance of employment.
TAFE SA offers the following short courses that may assist you gain employment in this occupation including Operate and Monitor a Basic Boiler or Operate and Monitor an Intermediate Class Boiler. Check the website for the full list of short courses.
SA Apprenticeships are available in this occupation for further information go to the Traineeship & Apprenticeship Services Website at http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/apprenticeships-traineeships or phone the Freecall number 1800 673 097.
Career Path
In South Australia, most boilermakers work in the manufacturing, construction and mining industries. However, there is currently a high demand for these tradespeople in the ship and submarine building industry. Shortages for qualified boilermakers exist nationally, and according to a Metals, Manufacturing and Services Industry Training Council spokesperson, there will be a high level of activity in those industries that employ boilermakers for several years yet.
Nature of the Job
If the pieces are very large or heavy, then cranes are used to assemble them. Using hammers, grinders and cutting torches, boilermakers remove any irregular edges so the metal pieces fit together properly. They then join them by welding, bolting or riveting. Boilermakers also align and attach other components such as water tubes and valves and then test the product for any leaks or other defects. And because vessels such as boilers generally have a long shelf life of up to 35 years, a boilermaker is involved in their maintenance and updates components such as boiler tubes to make them even more efficient. If this all sounds like a long and drawn out process, that's because it can be. Just ask former boilermaker, John 'It can be time consuming with a project sometimes taking weeks, but when you see the end product, it's very satisfying'.
Typical Physical Working Environment
If you enjoy working with your hands, are physically fit and able to visualise how an object should look from a drawing, you may have the aptitude for working as a boilermaker. An interest in and understanding of welding and working with metals in the area of structural engineering, is also important according to an experienced boilermaker. Most boilermakers train in both boilermaking and structural fabrication and so may also be involved in fitting, assembling and joining aluminium and steel in the construction or repair of towers, bridges and ships.
Typical Occupational Example
Potential employees need to be very aware of personal and workplace safety as a boilermaker's work environment can be hazardous. They often use potentially dangerous equipment, such as power grinders and oxy-acetylene (torching) equipment. Boilermakers work indoors in large workshops, or on construction sites during heavy engineering construction, such as shipbuilding or mineral processing plant equipment.
• Home
• learn
• myTAFE SA
• Portal
• TAFEShop
• Contact us
• Freecall 1800 882 661
• Courses
• Locations
• Apply and Enrol
• Services
• International
• Industry
• About Us
• Home
• Courses
• Career Profile Examples
•
Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker)
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.
Job Prospects Openings 5 years to November 2018: < 5,000
Salary Range Median weekly earnings: $901 to $1000 to Source: Australian Government Department of Employment 2014
Brief Think of ships, submarines, storage tanks, boilers or any other metal fabricated product, and you have entered a boilermaker's work environment.
There are approximately 2,671 boilermakers working in South Australia. Employment is largely full-time and most work in the Manufacturing industry. Majority of persons in this occupation are males and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This occupation has a younger age profile with less than a third of boilermakers aged 45 years or older.
Quick Profile Navigation
• Courses
• Introduction
• Education Requirements
• Career Path
• Physical Environment
• Occupational Example
TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for: Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker)
Accredited (Award)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade
Introduction
Boilermakers are highly skilled in making and repairing all types of fabricated metal products. They make and repair vessels or containers which hold liquids and gases that create steam, and are able to withstand the pressure that builds inside. One such vessel is a boiler, which supplies steam to drive huge turbines in electric power plants and to provide heat and power in buildings, factories, ships and submarines. Before repairing or making a fabricated metal product, a boilermaker studies design drawings and creates full size patterns or templates. After the various sized and shaped pieces are marked out on metal, it's time to cut, using hand tools, flame cutting torches or a guillotine. The sections of metal are then shaped or bent and accurately lined up, before they are welded together.
Outdoor
Education Requirements
Of those currently employed 60% have either Certificate III or IV; and 5% have Certificate I or II. Around 30% of boilermakers have no post-school qualification. It is recommended that you gain the available qualifications to get the best possible chance of employment.
TAFE SA offers the following short courses that may assist you gain employment in this occupation including Operate and Monitor a Basic Boiler or Operate and Monitor an Intermediate Class Boiler. Check the website for the full list of short courses.
SA Apprenticeships are available in this occupation for further information go to the Traineeship & Apprenticeship Services Website at http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/apprenticeships-traineeships or phone the Freecall number 1800 673 097.
Career Path
In South Australia, most boilermakers work in the manufacturing, construction and mining industries. However, there is currently a high demand for these tradespeople in the ship and submarine building industry. Shortages for qualified boilermakers exist nationally, and according to a Metals, Manufacturing and Services Industry Training Council spokesperson, there will be a high level of activity in those industries that employ boilermakers for several years yet.
Nature of the Job
If the pieces are very large or heavy, then cranes are used to assemble them. Using hammers, grinders and cutting torches, boilermakers remove any irregular edges so the metal pieces fit together properly. They then join them by welding, bolting or riveting. Boilermakers also align and attach other components such as water tubes and valves and then test the product for any leaks or other defects. And because vessels such as boilers generally have a long shelf life of up to 35 years, a boilermaker is involved in their maintenance and updates components such as boiler tubes to make them even more efficient. If this all sounds like a long and drawn out process, that's because it can be. Just ask former boilermaker, John 'It can be time consuming with a project sometimes taking weeks, but when you see the end product, it's very satisfying'.
Typical Physical Working Environment
If you enjoy working with your hands, are physically fit and able to visualise how an object should look from a drawing, you may have the aptitude for working as a boilermaker. An interest in and understanding of welding and working with metals in the area of structural engineering, is also important according to an experienced boilermaker. Most boilermakers train in both boilermaking and structural fabrication and so may also be involved in fitting, assembling and joining aluminium and steel in the construction or repair of towers, bridges and ships.
Typical Occupational Example
Potential employees need to be very aware of personal and workplace safety as a boilermaker's work environment can be hazardous. They often use potentially dangerous equipment, such as power grinders and oxy-acetylene (torching) equipment. Boilermakers work indoors in large workshops, or on construction sites during heavy engineering construction, such as shipbuilding or mineral processing plant equipment.
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