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Pressure Vessel Fabricator, Construction Tradesperson
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Boilermakers have the skills to carry out all aspects of pressure vessel construction and installation, from their fabrication, assembly and installation to their disassembly and demolition. They also erect, alter, maintain and repair these vessels, which include boilers, tanks, heat exchangers, fired heaters, and reactors. To accomplish these tasks, boilermakers:
Boilermakers also install boilers, and repair and maintain existing boilers and related metal products.
Boilermakers generally work in fabrication shops or on heavy industrial plant sites. The work occurs both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. It is physically demanding. Boilermakers may work in controlled hazardous environments such as in confined spaces, at heights, and within harmful atmospheres. The normal workweek is 40 to 70 hours, with paid overtime. Travel is often required with extended periods away from home.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in setting up and operating heavy-duty metalworking machines such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters and drill presses to cut, shape and form metal into parts and sections
Interest in speaking - signalling to direct the activities of hoist operators, crane operators and other workers during fabrication, assembly, installation and repair of structures
Interest in compiling information to repair and perform maintenance work on boilers and other heavy metal products; and in testing finished structures using a variety of methods
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Boilermakers need:
They should enjoy working with tools, equipment and machinery at tasks that require precision and variety. They should be comfortable working in confined spaces and at heights.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 26 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 18, 2022 and Sep 25, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Financial benefits: As per collective agreement | 23 |
|---|---|
| Handling heavy loads | 20 |
| Stacks, towers and furnaces | 20 |
| Pressure vessels | 20 |
| Experience: 3 years to less than 5 years | 20 |
| Tasks: Read and interpret blueprints, maps, drawings and specifications | 20 |
| Attention to detail | 19 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certificate | 19 |
| Security and Safety: Drug test | 18 |
| Tanks | 18 |
To work in Alberta, a boilermaker must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
The term of apprenticeship is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year. High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Boilermaker apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Classroom instruction is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
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 pressure containers. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile on Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to work on boilers, tanks or pressure vessels, or perform structural and plate work on dust, air, gas, steam, oil, water or other liquid-tight pressure containers in Alberta.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Boilermaker.
Pressure welders weld parts together to construct pressure vessels, boilers, pressure piping systems and associated fittings.
Under Alberta’s Safety Codes Act [pdf] and Pressure Welder Regulation [pdf], you must hold an appropriate certificate from the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) and a performance qualification card to weld on pressure vessels, boilers, pressure piping systems or fittings. There are three types of certificates:
The performance qualification card must specify the welding process, base material group, filler metal group, thickness of deposited weld metal, positions, backing and minimum pipe diameter.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Pressure Welder.
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Boilermakers are employed in the following industries:
Experienced boilermakers may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman or superintendent. Experience can also give them opportunities in quality control and quality assurance, inspections and training.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 7234: Boilermakers occupational group, 81.7% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 7234: Boilermakers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment in this occupation may slump when there is a downturn in the economy, and in the construction industry it may slow down in winter.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson boilermakers wage rates vary but generally range from $30 to $46 an hour plus benefits (2020 estimates). Apprentices earn at least 60% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75% in the second and 90% in the third.
Boilermakers are part of the larger 2016 National Occupational Classification 7234: Boilermakers.
According to the 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Boilermakers occupational group earned on average from $32.72 to $32.91 an hour. The overall average was $32.89 an hour. For more information, see the Boilermakers wage profile.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Boilermakers Union Lodge 146 website: boilermakers.ca
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
