If you are interested in manufacturing and enjoy building as well as assembling structures then a career as a Boilermaker could be for you.
Career Overview
Boilermakers are the individuals responsible for manufacturing equipment, such as boilers, engines, vats, tanks and pressure vessels for power stations and petrochemical plants. They take the mechanical drawings of designed equipment and build it using sheets of metal. Part of their job is to repair these equipments if needed. Boilermakers generally work in the heavy engineering industry.
Due to the pressure that most of the equipment endure, Boilermakers have to be extremely skilled in their trade and be responsible as most of the equipment they build is used for containing poisonous gases or strong and harmful chemicals.
Required School Subjects
There are no required subjects, however the following subjects are recommended:
- Mathematics
- Physical Science
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Trade Theory
Institution and APS
The following institutions are highly recommended for studies in Boilermaking.
- Crane Training Center
- Johannesburg Institute of Engineering and Technology
- Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre
** There is no APS required to be applicable for application, however there are minimum requirements which need to be met. Such as having a grade 9 certificate with any of the recommended subjects OR a grade 10 certificate with either Mathematics OR N1 AND you have to be a minimum age of 16 years old.
Required Qualification/s
A Boilermaker qualification is for theoretical training and practical training certificates and a trade test set by the Department of Labour is required to qualify as an artisan.
Required Skills
You will need to have the following skills to succeed as a Boilermaker:
- Team worker
- Detail Oriented
- Be good with your hands
- Practical and Accurate
- Good Hand-Eye Coordination
- Manual Dexterity
- Mechanical Aptitude
- Have physical strength, Stamina and Flexibility
Where you can work
As a Boilermaker, you will be able to work in one of the following environments:
- Government (National, Provincial or Related organizations)
- Engineering Factories
- Construction Companies
- Railways
- Shipyards
- Sasol and Mines
- Iron and Steel Plants
- Petroleum Refineries
Working Hours
Working hours tend to be irregular for Boilermakers, with some work being conducted not only during the week but also during the night or over the weekends.
Expected Salary
Salary, in South Africa, ranges between R 23 000 to R 413 000, with the average being R 244 813. Most Boilermakers are contractors, which means that they earn their salary at an hourly rate.
What to expect
Here are a few things you can expect from a career as a Boilermaker:
- Work is generally conducted on job sites and sometimes require the Boilermakers to work in confined and in some cases high aerial settings
- The work is physically demanding and requires strength to complete
- There could be a possibility for traveling for work and in some cases time duration could be anything from a week to several weeks
- Safety knowledge is extremely crucial and practiced regularly
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