What is a Boilermaker?

Boilermakers are the ones who assemble and install vats, boilers, and large vessels and also repair these when damaged. The vats are used to hold pressurized gases and liquids used in factories in a number of industries. Apart from these, the vessels can also be used to drive ship turbines and operate power plants. They are used in providing power and heat in structural buildings, as well. Boilermakers usually work for the steel and iron industry, oil refineries, railroad companies, chemical plants, shipyards, and more.

Becoming a Boilermaker Apprentice

A boilermaker apprentice is trained to do the following:

• Follow the blueprints of building large boilers right on site.
• Learn how to assemble smaller boilers in plants.
• Ensure the proper alignment by utilising levels, wedges, plumb bobs, and turnbuckles.
• Bolting or welding the section edges together and ensuring that they fit properly.
• Attach the boiler’s vital components like burners for utmost efficiency.
• Test the boilers and vats for leaks or other weak spots.
• Make a regular inspection and maintenance to ensure a properly working boiler.
• Repair damaged or worn out boilers.
• Install special tools to guarantee that the boilers do not emit smoke, fumes, or any other pollutants.

Why Apprenticeship Training For Boilermakers is Important

Most companies do not hire inexperienced people as senior boilermakers, they instead accept apprentices.

Like most Australian industrial companies, there are other companies all over the world that are looking for aspiring boilermakers who can serve as apprentices.

Before you become a qualified boilermaker, you usually need to become an apprentice – which usually last for 4 years. You can apply for a job as a boilermaker apprentice in many companies in Australia, and it also includes  an ‘in class’ training course with lessons about assembly methods, welding, reading blueprints and assembly preparation.

Job Opportunities

After you have completed your training and apprenticeship as a boilermaker( in Australia or any country or city of choice), you can find a job in the many different sections of the industrial sector.

Although the use of automated machine has made the job offers limited, many companies still seek the quality of manual work, which can only be provided by an experienced boilermaker. Your boilermaker apprenticeship training will surely give you the edge.

Where to Look for an Boilermaker Apprenticeship Job

The Internet is the home to millions of job postings from all over the world – as mentioned at the start of this article. There is a large percentage of job postings looking for a boilermaker apprentice in Australia. If you are interested, you can visit online job posting sites for more information.

Visit Mining Jobs Queensland, if you are looking for a job in the mining industry. You will find currently available jobs around Queensland.

Finding a Trainee Job in the Mines

One of the best ways to find a trainee mining job is to visit different mining company websites. Most mines and large mining companies have comprehensive lists of trainee positions offered. Apart from the websites, recruitment agencies also take actions in hiring trainee workers for mining companies.

Trainee Mining Jobs

Here is a short list of trainee jobs most mining companies offer:

Shotfirer – learn how to safely carry out blasting and charging activities in the open pit.

Truck Operator – learn how to efficiently transport wastes and ore using an array of dump truck fleet.

Security Officer/ First Aid Provider – acquire knowledge on how to provide security to all the company contractors and employees, as well as learn emergency and first aid response.

Laboratory Technician – learn how to collect ore samples and analyse them.

Process Technician – by training as a process technician, you will learn equipment monitoring and the ins and outs of the processes done within the plant.

Fitter and Turner – this training teaches you machinery repair and maintenance. Your training will cover motors, pumps, and other machinery needed at the mine, as well as in the plant.

Boiler Maker – an apprenticeship certificate is one of the surefire ways to gain experience that will land you a mining job. Before you get accepted as a boiler maker apprentice, you need to undergo physical examination to ensure that you are fit enough for this tough mining job.

Heavy Vehicle Fitter – trainees interested in repairing and maintaining large vehicles, such as trucks, can apply for the heavy vehicle fitter training. Trucks are very important at the mines, and this apprenticeship is a good way to start.

Although most advertised mining positions typically attract applicants who already have skills, mining companies are still looking for fresh new blood to train. Australian mining companies, for instance, are in continuous lookout for unskilled workers willing to be trained.

Taking up a trainee mining job is probably the best way to gain entry to the mining industry. Expect the jobs to be physically and sometimes emotionally challenging. Most positions require thorough physical examinations, especially if you are to work for extended hours or under difficult environment or climate.

Apart from the positions listed above, there are other training jobs available in the mining industry. Various laboring positions like driller assistants, sample preparers, and general labors are also needed. You can also apply as an office staff, a cleaning staff, or a kitchen staff. Even if you are at the lowest position in the industry, you can still climb your way to top, given that you undergo the required training and gain the needed experience.

On the other hand, although it is possible to enter the mining industry without any experience, those who have finished their apprenticeships have greater edge. The employment rate in mining industry in Australia has more than doubled its number from 30,00 jobs to 75,000 jobs in 2009. Most of them are professionals and skilled workers.

Getting a mining apprenticeship certificate is probably the best way to get a good position in the industry. Apprenticeship is a good start for many inexperienced or unskilled workers and those who have been out of school for a while may wish to consider a mature aged apprenticeship. The mining industry is divided into different sections: first, the exploration; then the mining and quarrying, and after that, processing follows. Within these sections or processes, a mining company will need human resource to employ all of these.

Primary Job Brackets in the Mining Industry

Job positions for professionals or university-educated. Absolute expertise is needed in some positions, such as mining engineers, geologists and mine managers.

Skilled work. Positions that can be offered to skilled workers include drillers, welders, mechanics, technicians, and boiler makers.

Ticket jobs. Typically temporary in nature, ticket jobs do not require workers to have a lot of experience, but they must be well-knowledgeable in machine operation and related mining work.

How Long Will a Mining Apprenticeship Take?

In general, apprenticeship programs in the mining industry last for 36 to 48 months. The Traineeship, on the other hand, lasts for no more than 24 months. The span of apprenticeship usually depends on the position you are in and the level of expertise you have.

What to Expect During the Apprenticeship Program

All mining apprenticeship programs have more or less the same objective: to train workers who are interested in working at the mines and prevent worker shortages. Technically, an apprenticeship program is held by a college or university in cooperation with a mining company. During the first year, you will be able to learn the basics in the field. At times, you will have to attend lectures for mining technicalities and other subjects covered.

1st year mining apprenticeship programs for mining industry may cover a number of different trainings. Among the usual trainings included are welding, heavy equipment mechanics, electrical trades, millwright trades and machinists. Typically, the college will help you secure an apprenticeship position, sponsor your training and supervise your progress. Nevertheless, the mining company where you take your apprenticeships will also be of your assistance.

Like other job positions in the mining industry, apprentices’ wages are based on some factors. Education, training, competency, experience, and age are the main factors considered when paying an apprentice. Although the pay is not as impressive compared to permanent positions, the apprentices usually end up with high-paying jobs once they finished the program.

A Short Introduction on Rio Tinto

Iron ore is one of the most basic commodities and since many industries make use of steel, it is one of the most used metals around the globe. From bridges to ships, skyscrapers, railways, cars, to even paper clips, iron is definitely one of the major contributing factors to our developing modern world.

Since this is the case, Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore group in Australia, has committed itself in offering traineeships and apprenticeship programs for future employment. The company’s current operations team comprises of not only regular employees, but a generous number of trainees and apprentices as well.

The traineeship program of Rio Tinto includes metal fabrication, mechanical fitting, automotive, electrical, information technology, drafting, and business administration, to name a few. If you are considering applying for the program, make sure that you have the motivation, enthusiasm and you are able to demonstrate interest in your chosen field, for you to have a chance of being accepted. Another requirement of the company are passing grades in secondary education, as well as fitness requirements and check-ups proving that you are fit to work on a mine site.

Although the requirements may vary from one country to the other, as Rio Tinto is a global company, applicants will increase their chances of being accepted if they are able to show their devotion in their chosen field. Since mining apprenticeships and traineeships are usually advertised in newspapers and internally on a regular basis, being updated will no longer be a problem.

How About Rio Tinto Traineeships?

Aside from a focused apprentice training program, Rio Tinto also committed itself in traineeships, in order to provide a skilled workforce for the industry in the future. They even encourage receiving applications from the indigenous members of the community, so that they too may be trained to work in the mines.

Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Operations provide vast opportunities for their trainees, especially when it comes to exposure on the kinds of jobs they will be facing in the near future, as well as developing skills for easier adjustment from one department to the other.

So as long as you have an interest in pursuing a career at the mines, and you are enthusiastic and motivated enough to push yourself in succeeding, then you may want to consider applying for Rio Tinto traineeships.

This can be a great way of learning the basics, getting first hand experience on what it is like to work in the mines, as well as getting your foot inside the mining industry. While traineeship programs usually last six to twelve months, apprenticeships in the mines can last as long as two to four years to be completed.

If you want to be considered for an apprenticeship program, you must show your motivation, enthusiasm and interest in your chosen field, as well as present passing grades in secondary education and meet their physical fitness requirements. While detailed requirements may vary from one company to the other, what were stated above are the main key points that you should always keep in mind.

An apprenticeship in the mines you can jump start your career in the industry, as well as give you 2-4 solid years of work. Obviously the salary will be lower at the start, but you will learn that chances for a promotion and increase in the salary will be better as you work longer in the mines. And since apprenticeships are found in most areas of mining employment, you will find that there is most likely an apprenticeship in the field that you are looking to pursue.

How To Get An Apprenticeship In The Mines

There are basically four ways of finding and getting in an apprenticeship program in the mining industry, and each one is summarized below:

Know Someone Personally

If you know someone who is working in the mines, you can use it to your advantage since having connections can definitely help you look for jobs and programs offered by mining companies. Since working in the mines can sometimes be comparable to a boy’s club, making the most out of your connections can go a long way.

Search Jobs Websites & Local Newspapers

There are many websites offering job listings and openings of jobs in the mining industry. So if you are interested in getting accepted in an apprenticeship program, make sure that you check out these websites on a regular basis.

Mining Recruitment Companies

If you think you will be needing help in applying for an apprenticeship program, you may want to strongly consider getting help from mining recruitment agencies, since they have all the connections in different mining sectors, as well as focus on hiring skilled laborers for the mines.

Contact Mining Companies Directly

Aside from the three options mentioned above, the last method of getting an apprenticeship involves directly contacting the mining company of your choice. Since most companies nowadays have their own websites, you can check out their employment section and see if there are openings and apprenticeship programs available.

This can be a good option if you are looking to apply for a mature aged apprenticeship because there is less likelihood of you getting lost in a sea of younger applicants.

Finding apprenticeships in the mines can sometimes feel like a never ending battle but if you are committed to getting an apprenticeship, have a solid resume and make use of as many of the 4 strategies above, you will give yourself the best opportunity.

The growth of the mining sector only means an increase in the labor and workforce needed by the industry. Since there is a shortage in the number of skilled workers fit for the jobs at the mines, a lot of companies are more than willing to offer apprenticeships for people of all ages. There are even numerous mature aged apprenticeships, to give people who are 30 years and over to have a career change if they want to.

As of 2006, over 33 percent of the total number of apprentices in Australia were aged 19, while 27 percent were people of ages 20 to 24. Mature apprentices on the other hand, comprised of 12 percent of people of ages 30 to 39, and 5.8 percent were 40 and over. There are a number of factors driving older people into undertaking apprenticeships programs, and this includes the shortage in the number of skilled workers in the mining industry.

Companies also take into consideration the advantage of having a mix of both old and young people in the workplace. There is also a high dropout among young apprentices in their first two years in the program, which makes companies prefer mature aged apprentices more.

Companies Offering Mature Aged Apprenticeships

Two of the mining companies that strongly encourage mining apprentices to enroll to their programs are Byrnecut and Barminco. They offer equal opportunities in the mining industry, both to young and mature aged workers.

The two companies focus on providing valuable hands on experience to their apprentices together with mining professionals, so that the former will have an idea of what to experience at the mines and how to deal with different problems and issues. Together with the on the job training experience, apprentices will be able to develop underpinning skills and knowledge that are required for conducting overhaul, repair, service, and even fault finding in a specific area.

Plant mechanics, boilermaker and fabrication, auto electricians and light vehicle mechanics are just some of the mining apprenticeship programs offered by the two mining companies. As they recognize each person’s natural ability plus their knowledge and experience in their previous career, the companies aim in developing their workforce for more efficient and economically viable mining processes.

Both young and mature aged apprentices that excel in the program have the option of fast-tracking their apprenticeship time to get a competitive job in the mining sector.

Mature aged apprenticeships are highly encouraged nowadays, especially in Australia’s mining industry, because of the shortage in skilled workers. So if you have plans of changing careers at the age of 30, you should strongly consider this option.