Apprenticeship Program

The information provided below is important to read if you are interested in becoming a Boilermaker. It explains what is expected of all apprentices as well as the qualifications.

Southeastern Area Joint Apprenticeship Committee (S.A.J.A.C.) Apprenticeship Program
Boilermakers S.A.J.A.C. is proud to have the most helmets-to-hardhats apprentices in the United States.

HELMETS TO HARDHATS GO TO www.helmetstohardhats.org or http://youtu.be/B2vaFh7sK70

Basic Qualifications for Apprenticeship

Applicants shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Age: All applicants shall be at least 18 years of age.
•Education: Applicants shall be high school graduates or provide proof of equivalent education attainment, such                   as successful completion of GED.
• Health: Must have the physical strength to work standing and bending for eight hours, as well as the ability to work at heights and under adverse conditions.
• Aptitude: Mechanical knowledge, ability to remain calm under pressure and work well with other people.

Terms of Apprenticeship

• Length of training: 6000 field construction hours.
• Related classroom training: minimum of 144 hours per year, some self-study lessons and on-the-job modules.
• Probationary period: 2,000 hours.

S.A.J.A.C. has 21 local lodges with welding facilities fully equipped for training in the processes of SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, GMAW, stud welding, and orbital welding. 13 of these lodges have upgraded their welding equipment to state-of-the-art solid state machines capable of GMAW, FCAW, SMAW, and GTAW processes. 15 of these 21 lodges are equipped with classroom facilities for training in theory.

Curriculum for Apprenticeship

Boilermaker apprentices are trained on interpreting blueprints and welding symbols, lay-out, fit-up, weld process theory, boiler flow, fundamentals of industrial processes (including the power, steel, petro-chemical, pulp & paper, and nuclear industries) rigging theory, calculating weights, uses of various tools of the trade, construction safety, and other subjects.

Shop Training

Boilermaker Local Training Centers offer hands-on training in a variety of welding processes including SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, Orbital Welding, Buddy Welding, and more.

Boilermaker apprentices are also required to participate in hands on training in
Arc Gouging
Cutting
Fabrication
Hand Signals
Lay-Out
Rigging
Tube Removal
Tube Preparation
Tube Rolling

Apprentices are expected to complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job field construction training during which time they will work with seasoned veterans of the trade to develop the hands-on skills necessary to become a journeyman Boilermaker.

• Additional S.A.J.A.C. Training

• S.A.J.A.C. lodges offer pre-employment training for new apprentices and sub-journeymen to prepare new employees for field construction work.
• Local training centers also offer enhanced training in Mig, Tig, Orbital, Stud Welding, and Rigging for journeymen who want to upgrade their skills.