A boilermaker is a tradesperson who cuts, bends, and assembles steel, iron, or copper into boilers and other large containers for holding gas or liquids.
The name was derived from craftsmen who made boilers, but boilermakers assemble, repair, and maintain other large vessels and closed vats, as well.
The trade evolved from industrial blacksmithing. In the 1800s, the growing use of steam power created a need for boilers to heat water into steam. Boilers were made by cutting, bending, and shaping metal plates or tubes.
Boilers were also used in generating electricity by turning steam turbines at power plants, and the railroads also used boilers to drive steam engines. Boilermakers installed most of the piping used in the hydroelectric dams still in operation today, and they became involved in shipbuilding and engineering as construction materials shifted from wood to iron, and later to steel.
Today, boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
Boilermakers often work outdoors in all types of weather, often at great heights because boilers, storage tanks, and pressure vessels are large. They may also work in cramped conditions, such as inside boilers, vats, or tanks.
Typically, a high school diploma or the equivalent is required. Boilermakers train through an apprenticeship program, where they learn about towers, vessels, and furnaces, as well as safety analysis, pre-job safety checklists, and techniques for cutting and fitting gaskets, base metal preparation, and welding. Applicants with welding experience or who have worked as a pipefitter, millwright, or sheet metal worker may have priority over those without prior experience. Those with related work experience might even qualify for a shortened apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship programs are often sponsored by trade unions or contractor associations. During the apprenticeship, they will learn about metals and installation techniques, blueprint reading, and safety practices. Apprenticeships may last up to 4 years.
Upon completing the apprenticeship, a boilermaker is considered to be a journey-level worker.
The requirements may differ from one jurisdiction to another, but some states require boilermakers to be licensed. Typically, licensure requires work experience and successful completion of an exam. Employers may require boilermakers to hold certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), and may also require certification in welding.
Boilermakers are eligible to join The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, which is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and Central Labor Councils (CLCs).
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