Becoming a Boilermaker

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TomMcDonald
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Becoming a Boilermaker

#1 Post by TomMcDonald » Mon May 28, 2012 3:53 pm

Hi!
I've pretty much made up my mind to try and get a Boilermaker's apprenticeship next year as a mature worker. I'm only 27 but over 25 is considered mature.

I'm going to try and aim to get work at a power plant or heavy manufacturing business but will settle for a small business if they can pay me enough to survive on.

I'm happy to move to where the work is. I have a list as long as my arm of businesses that employ apprentices in that field which I'm still adding to.
I've been practicing my maths to get polished for any exams I might need, and am building kind of a portfolio of all the fabrication projects I've done at home.

Is anyone here a Boilermaker who can give me some advice?
Anything to watch out for?
Is it a career in the wrong area considering manufacturing is a shrinking industry in Australia?

Finally, can anyone suggest any companies with apprenticeship programs in NSW?

Cheers,
Tom.
Tom

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kerry
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#2 Post by kerry » Mon May 28, 2012 4:29 pm

have yarn to bigbob Tom, he was a boilermaker, cheers
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bigbob
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#3 Post by bigbob » Mon May 28, 2012 4:54 pm

G'day Tom. Always a great idea to get some sort of trade even as a fallback.When I was in Weipa many, many moons ago some guys in their thirties did Adult apprenticeships. Think they were paid Trades assistant wages so they weren't really losing anything.One even topped the state in theory, as being older it usually means more focused and ready to do the hard yards. Might be worth while trying some of the mines to see what current policy is. Metal trades offer good remuneration in the mines and are sought after so who knows, give it a shot Tom.
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clinton miller
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#4 Post by clinton miller » Mon May 28, 2012 7:03 pm

boilermaker is one of the best trades there is. throw a dart at a map of australia and you will get a job there. i know, i've done it. worked around the country for 5 years. hardest part wasn't getting a job but deciding what i wanted to go and see! i once walked into a fab shop in derby, WA for a piece of steel for a small job on the camper trailer.....walked out with a job. when they found out i was a boilermaker they just about locked me in the office till i said yes. it was a classic.

as for where to get an apprenticeship in nsw? door knock?
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#5 Post by Gene-o » Mon May 28, 2012 7:16 pm

Hey Tom, Clinton's right mate... Im a boily these days, its my second trade, been doin it now for about 10 years and it has taken me to most states and the money is great. Most of my work has been construction but now in a workshop in Gladstone QLD. I do love my work so that makes it even better. I think it would be a great job choice for you with a boom all around Oz you wont find it hard to get on mate. All the best of luck Tom

Geneo :wink:

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TomMcDonald
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#6 Post by TomMcDonald » Mon May 28, 2012 9:42 pm

thanks guys, sounds encouraging. I'm pretty keen on it and will go for it and see what happens.
There are a couple of power stations around the place that are advertising for apprentice boilermakers for 2013 starts.
Anyone work or worked in a power station before?
Tom

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#7 Post by longbowinfected » Tue May 29, 2012 12:08 pm

Ask Hazard. He travels professionally to fabrication shops and similar places, I believe. He might give you a heads up on places/businesses worth pursuing where they have a great work ethic and can teach you.

Kevin
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#8 Post by TomMcDonald » Tue May 29, 2012 1:08 pm

longbowinfected wrote:Ask Hazard. He travels professionally to fabrication shops and similar places, I believe. He might give you a heads up on places/businesses worth pursuing where they have a great work ethic and can teach you.

Kevin
He hasn't got anything worthwhile to say :surprised:

Joking... Just got off the phone with him and we're catching up next week! :lol:
Tom

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#9 Post by hazard » Tue May 29, 2012 6:02 pm

TomMcDonald wrote:
longbowinfected wrote:Ask Hazard. He travels professionally to fabrication shops and similar places, I believe. He might give you a heads up on places/businesses worth pursuing where they have a great work ethic and can teach you.

Kevin
He hasn't got anything worthwhile to say :surprised:

Joking... Just got off the phone with him and we're catching up next week! :lol:
Thats harsh mate :shock: You better keep an eye out for that snoring mate :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hazard
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#10 Post by Bent Stick » Tue May 29, 2012 6:23 pm

Go for it Tom you'll be a Whiz on pressure welding mate
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memo
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#11 Post by memo » Tue May 29, 2012 8:14 pm

Go For it Tom,
I'm currently doing a Mature age Apprenticeship as an Electrician and love it, wish I did it years ago. Our company works on a lot of projects with JC Butko And they have nearly 100 guys working for them. They are in Wodonga, Just over the river from NSW so check them out if you like
http://www.butko.com.au/
Plenty of good bowhunting around here too,
PM me if you want to know more about the company.
Memo.

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#12 Post by TomMcDonald » Tue May 29, 2012 9:04 pm

Thanks guys.
Memo, looks interesting. I'll talk to the missus and give them a call.
Tom

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#13 Post by TomMcDonald » Tue May 29, 2012 9:04 pm

hazard wrote:
TomMcDonald wrote:
longbowinfected wrote:Ask Hazard. He travels professionally to fabrication shops and similar places, I believe. He might give you a heads up on places/businesses worth pursuing where they have a great work ethic and can teach you.

Kevin
He hasn't got anything worthwhile to say :surprised:

Joking... Just got off the phone with him and we're catching up next week! :lol:
Thats harsh mate :shock: You better keep an eye out for that snoring mate :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hazard

:) you'll need a new target now John ain't coming.
Tom

Sometimes the simplest things are the most profound.

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Nephew
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#14 Post by Nephew » Thu May 31, 2012 3:43 pm

Good onya Tom! Best of luck with this venture, mate. :smile:
Lately, if life were treating me any better, I'd be suspicious of it's motives!

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#15 Post by TomMcDonald » Thu May 31, 2012 5:33 pm

Thanks Nephew.
Sent off my first application today :surprised:
Tom

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#16 Post by hazard » Thu May 31, 2012 7:00 pm

Don't worry he'll be right I will set him straight :mrgreen:

Hazard
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#17 Post by TomMcDonald » Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:35 am

Hazard is trynig to make me become a sparkie :surprised:
Tom

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#18 Post by Nephew » Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:02 am

hazard wrote:Don't worry he'll be right I will set him straight :mrgreen:

Hazard
Might as well give up now, Tom. Your careers over once Haz gets involved! :wink: :lol:

As for the sparkie thing, I don't know, mate. There has to be a reason he wants you playing around with electricity! :shock: :mrgreen:
Lately, if life were treating me any better, I'd be suspicious of it's motives!

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#19 Post by TomMcDonald » Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:34 am

Nephew wrote:
hazard wrote:Don't worry he'll be right I will set him straight :mrgreen:

Hazard
Might as well give up now, Tom. Your careers over once Haz gets involved! :wink: :lol:

As for the sparkie thing, I don't know, mate. There has to be a reason he wants you playing around with electricity! :shock: :mrgreen:
:) I reckon, he's got some sinister ideas. :ugeek:
Tom

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#20 Post by hazard » Fri Jun 01, 2012 4:58 pm

TomMcDonald wrote:
Nephew wrote:
hazard wrote:Don't worry he'll be right I will set him straight :mrgreen:

Hazard
Might as well give up now, Tom. Your careers over once Haz gets involved! :wink: :lol:

As for the sparkie thing, I don't know, mate. There has to be a reason he wants you playing around with electricity! :shock: :mrgreen:
:) I reckon, he's got some sinister ideas. :ugeek:

Mate I just have a couple of leads I want tou to hold. :razz: :lol: :lol:
Politics is a game played by dishonest people to gain an unfair advantage!

Never under estimate the strength of a cornered coward.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#21 Post by Nephew » Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:23 pm

:lol: :biggrin:
Lately, if life were treating me any better, I'd be suspicious of it's motives!

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TomMcDonald
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Re: Becoming a Boilermaker

#22 Post by TomMcDonald » Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:18 am

I ain't holding anything, especially if it's wrapped in poly pipe.
Tom

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