What does a Steamfitter (307A) do?

Steamfitter/Pipefitters lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain, and repair piping systems carrying water, steam, chemicals, and fuel through heating, cooling, and lubricating systems.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Reading and interpreting blueprints and specifications to determine which pipes and tools to use; laying out and planning the sequence of tasks
  • Making detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation, when necessary
  • Using hand/power tools or machines to cut openings for pipes in walls, floors, and ceilings
  • Measuring, cutting, threading, grooving, bending, soldering, assembling, and installing metal, plastic, and fibreglass pipes, valves, and fittings
  • Welding, brazing, cementing, soldering, and threading joints to join pipes and fabricate sections of piping systems
  • Working independently on careful and exacting work

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Grade 10 is the legal minimum, but a high school diploma is often required
  • Completion of a 9,000-hour apprenticeship, including a combination of on-the-job and in-school training
  • Exam to obtain Certificate of Qualification

What's Your Future as a Steamfitter (307A)?

  • Full-time work with overtime opportunities
  • Work in and outdoors doing physically demanding tasks; frequent climbing and heavy lifting
  • Risk of injury due from heavy equipment, power tools, and working at heights or in trenches
  • Often hired by mechanical construction firms, pulp and paper companies, steel producers, electric power companies, vehicle manufacturers, residential developers, and metal companies

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skills and expertise. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $33.00 per hour.

Self-Rating

Steamfitter/Pipe Fitter (307A)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Can you look at drawings and blueprints and visualize how things come together? Do you have good manual dexterity?
Do you enjoy working with your hands using a variety of hand and power tools?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Can you lift 50lbs comfortably?
Do you enjoy learning about new technology and materials?
Would you enjoy interacting with site supervisors, customers, suppliers, co-workers and other tradespeople to get the job done?
Do you have excellent time management? Are you an organized person?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Steamfitter/Pipe Fitter may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • Plumber
  • Welder
  • Sprinkler & Fire Protection Installer
  • Hoisting Engineer

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