National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.0

7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

These occupations include trades supervisors and contractors, construction and mechanical tradespersons, operators of transportation and heavy equipment and trades helpers. These occupations are found in a wide range of industrial sectors, with many in the construction and transportation industries.

This category includes most of the apprenticeable trades, including all those related to the construction industry. Other occupations in this category usually require completion of college or vocational education programs combined with on-the-job training. Helpers obtain training on the job site. Progression to supervisory positions or self-employed contractor status is possible with experience. There is limited mobility or transferability of skills among occupations in this category due to specific apprenticeship, training and licensing requirements for most occupations.

72 - Industrial, electrical and construction trades

This major group comprises occupations in industrial, electrical and construction trades, which usually require three or more years of apprenticeship, or several years of work experience in the trade combined with related high school, college or industry courses. It includes occupations in machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades; electrical trades and electrical power line and telecommunications workers; plumbers, pipefitters and gas fitters; carpenters and cabinetmakers; masonry and plastering trades; and other construction trades, as well as related supervisors and contractors.

723 - Machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades

This minor group includes machinists, machining and tooling inspectors, tool and die makers, sheet metal workers, boilermakers, structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters, iron workers, welders and related machine operators. They are employed by machinery, equipment, vehicle, aircraft, shipbuilding and other metal products manufacturers; construction and electric power generation companies; tool and die, mould making, welding and machine shops; structural steel, boiler, sheet metal and platework fabrication plants; and by construction ironwork, sheet metal work and welding contractors; or they may be self-employed.

7234 - Boilermakers

Boilermakers fabricate, assemble, erect, test, maintain and repair boilers, vessels, tanks, towers, heat exchangers and other heavy-metal structures. They are employed in boiler fabrication, manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, electric power generation and similar industrial establishments.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • boiler fitter
  • boiler installer
  • boilermaker
  • boilermaker apprentice
  • construction boilermaker
  • industrial boilermaker
  • marine boilermaker
  • pressure vessel fabricator

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Ironworkers (See 7236 Ironworkers)
  • Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (See 7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters)
  • Supervisors of boilermakers (See 7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)
  • Welders and related machine operators (See 7237 Welders and related machine operators)

• Main duties

  Boilermakers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Read blueprints or specifications to plan sequence of operation
  • Lay out plate, sheet steel or other heavy metal and mark bending and cutting lines on work piece using protractors, compasses and drawing instruments or templates
  • Set up and operate heavy-metal working machines such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters and drill presses to cut, shape and form metal into parts or sections
  • Fit and weld metal parts or sections together to fabricate boilers, vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, piping and other heavy-metal products
  • Erect and install boilers and other heavy-metal products according to specifications using hand and power tools
  • Repair and perform maintenance work on boilers and other heavy-metal products
  • Direct activities of hoist or crane operators and other workers during fabrication, assembly, installation or repair of structures
  • Test finished structures using a variety of methods.

  Boilermakers may specialize in rigging and hoisting, preparation and layout, or welding aspects of the trade.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
    or
    A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in boilermaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
  • Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified boilermakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

• Additional information

  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.