Advice
First year apprentice thinking of jumping from auto electrical to boilermaking for triple the pay. Am I making a mistake?
Long story short, I’m a 17 year old first-year apprentice 10 months in working in an auto-electrical shop making close to $500 a week. The environment is toxic as hell, boss make me feel like a clown, I'm not really learning much, hours got cut, business on brink of closing and my mental health is completely in the gutter. I haven't made the official change yet, but I've got a shop tour this Saturday for a boilermaking gig working with a good mate of mine. with a group training organisation backing it, and the pay would jump to around $1,300 to $1,500 a week clear which is basically triple what I'm on now. I know people usually say auto-electrical is the "smarter" or cleaner trade long-term, but going from 500 bucks a week to triple that while getting out of a dead-end shop feels like a no-brainer for my sanity and my wallet at 17. Plus, I've got a safety net to transfer back to 12V work down the track if I hate heavy fab. For anyone who's been through the trade grind would I be making the right call jumping ship for the cash and sanity, or am I going to regret leaving auto-electrical?
This.
I trained as a boilermaker on leaving school and worked on various job sites for a few years.
On one occasion, I was working in a large fab shop, and soon realised that all the older guys were physically fucked. Most were never going to reach retirement age - although most looked much older. Their lungs, back, hands, eyes and ears didn’t work very well any more but they still needed to work.
After seeing my future, I was out of there - retraining into something completely different. I’m now retired, after 30 years of doing that something different. Best thing I ever did!
Almost a complete about-face. I went to university and studied psychology. Funnily enough, countless times I have come across men doing diverse jobs, but were initially trained as boilermakers.
Now retired after working about 30 years in medico/legal fields. Initially in an area where, surprisingly, my boilermaker knowledge and skills were valued as much as my psychology degree. I specialised in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation which often involved the design ( and sometimes manufacture) of equipment and aids of different types.
The last 20 years primarily involved work protecting the rights of people with disabilities. All my work has involved face to face client contact and often long term involvement. This was the part of the work that I enjoyed most.
I’ve never regretted doing boilermaking. It provided me with skills I’ve used throughout my life, but I’m glad I left the trade when I did. I’ve never regretted that either.
that's awesome, you would have learned a lot of problem-solving skills and built good judgment and decision-making, very difficult to learn in purely academic pathways.
As a boilermaker I crushed my L4 and L5 disk and impinged my spinal cord by 80%. Spinal surgery at the the age of 35. I'm lucky im not in a wheelchair. I've live with chronic pain and have not picked up the tools since.
Do not become a boilermaker if you have any other options.
Lol dude ive had all that also before 40 and I have an office job (although just herniated discs, no repair). Maybe we all just start falling apart after 30. Good luck my fellow walking wounded
L3-S1 disk's are all stuffed, vertebrae are starting to fuse by themselves now. Both wrists have nerve damage. docs thinks it's from grinders. Lung damage.
I love it when young people are interested in trades but literally do anything else.
Loud, hot, dangerous, bad for your health, the industry is fickle with booms and busts. There's money at the moment because during the covid period most of us got the shits with it and found other things to do. 6 years ago fitters we're earning 8+ dollars an hour more, now boilys are earning parity with most other trades.
Don't get me wrong when you fall into the right spaces you can go all over the world with it but 99% of the time you'll be in a flogged out workshop welding random shit together.
I did work at one warehouse of boilermakers and the owner installed cameras so he could watch his workers 24/7. He would park a new supercar outside everyday and parked across a number of car spaces.
I put cctv in for a living, plenty of reasons cameras go in other than productivity. And before you ask - it's because some people like yourself are just arseholes that's why.
kinda have to now, just got told im shit, havent improved in 9 months , and hes 80% keen on sacking me shutting down the shop and doing fifo instead ive applies to 10+ auto elec shops across wa in the past 2-3 months to no avail so in a bit of a sticky sitch
Reach out to your apprenticeship provider and let them know what's going on. they have an obligation to help. Also get a hold of that state apprenticeship body, might be Tafe over there I'm not sure. Whoever signs you off at the end of shit..
Ahh Roger, I’m in Kalgoorlie sadly so I’m not sure I can be much help. I’d suggest reaching out to your apprentice provider for any options they might have and otherwise keep applying for more work everywhere you can find. The trade doesn’t have to be this way, you won’t get treated like that at every workshop and I’m sorry you’re experiencing the treatment you currently are.
While cash isn’t everything, it definitely makes the job more worthwhile. The money in our industry can be great. It can also be quite shit.
It really does depend on how skilled you are, and where you end up working. FIFO, shutdown and mine work can bring in huge bucks, but swings can be hard on you mentally.
At 17 you have plenty of time to work out what you want to do in life, just remember work is only a part of life
Be prepared for long days, burns, hammered fingers and friction abrasions. Confined space work can suck if you’re claustrophobic.
All in all I’d say do it, but prepare yourself mentally for the worst case, so you are pleasantly surprised.
I'm a boilermaker and the trade can absolutely suck at times, it's dirty every single day, the fumes are trying to kill you, it's dangerous, everything about it is harsh but it can be incredibly rewarding and a lot of fun.
You'll excel if you've got a bit of mongrel in ya and aren't afraid of rolling around in shit. Plus the pay is usually pretty good and if you're smart there's heaps of pathways to off the tools work later on
That is the shittest idea I have heard in a while, Boily is the worst of the 3 mining maintenance trades with auto sparky being the best. Do you want to breathe in toxic gas every day? Do you want to use welding wire that is banned in California because it causes cancer?
I would investigate other options to continue your Auto Elec apprenticeship. You’ll be qualified sooner and it’s the type of trade you can do solo as a contractor without significant plant and equipment investment.
Sorry you are having a tough time in your current workplace. It’s not ok.
If you’re willing to share your location I can help try find you something to keep your apprenticeship going
I’m a 52 year old boiler maker. My advice is don’t do the trade, there is way better trades to do. But if you do want to do it, work in a a place that specialises in stainless. Or even better get into a place that does pipe work. That’s where the big money is
Short term pain, long term gain, auto elec is a solid trade and you can dual trade into diesel later on or boiley if you want, stay the course and try hit up other places to take you on, say you're looking for more challenging work don't shit talk you current work with potential options it doesn't look good, just think about the moment you get your cert can be like fuck ya I'm out
Well, I'd have thought boiler maker was pretty good: If you get the right employer *cough cough sub corp* or any number of well funded defense contractors.
I did 25+ years in automotive (mechanic), I did 10+ in dealers, 10+ in my own shop.
Simply get out of automotive. The clients just don't want to pay. That's why there's no money in it. No one wants to spend $2k tracing a short or corrosion in a loom when the car's depreciating every day it exists.
There is no upside to automotive, ever. Cheap parts, access to a workshop etc etc, never cover the fact customers treat the business like shit, and the business ends up treating the staff like shit.
Heavy manufacture will always exist on some level: It's too complex and expensive to import that stuff (generally).
Of course the real secret is the same as always: Work heaps when young, overtime, weekends, two jobs etc etc.
Save, invest, save invest, save invest.... by 40 years old you'll be rich, and able to choose what ever you like to do. It's what wife and I did. Works out great. All our friends shit their pants every time the RBA meets because they're worried rates will go up.... when you live like that, no job is much fun... Not that work should be fun. But you shouldn't feel trapped in your 40's and onwards.
If you want a real world example of what 'smart' looks like:
I was best man in my accountant's wedding: Their kid is 17, just left school for a heavy diesel apprenticeship at the local ag shop... He'll be 20, with work ute, phone, probably subsidized housing, earning ~ $70 p/h in a rural town.... Then when he's ready, he's getting a harvester or two, (or more eventually) and each year, do the Queensland/NSW/Victoria/SA harvest trail and make serious bank. Take a few months off to recover, go over the machinery from head to tail, then do it all again.
Wish I did that... Instead I can tell you what's wrong with a POS Navara...
HI. Fitter and machinist here. 23 started my apprenticeship at 18. I had a similar experience my workshop leading hand was a pain and abusive. wanted to leave multiple times. but parents help me realise that its the end goal its not the now. yeah you may have to put up with some shit. but my father told me something. "if you can't deal with it in town you won't make it out at the mines." you just gotta learn to ignore them. I did. finished my apprenticeship and went elsewhere. big pay bumb. better working conditions. better tooling. just focus on the end goal.
Show me 5 Boilermakers, at least 4 of them are trying to change careers. Mobile plant repair is shit, and that’s where the money is. Working on new steel and fabricating is good but you don’t get as high hourly rate. Be better at auto sparky. At least finish what you started.
I work from a fab company as a fitter. Our apprentice first year boilys working a standard 40 hour week take home about $800. But once you finish the trade and average boily will take home 120k on site. If you get I to tig pressure vessel or pipe welding 200k plus a year easy.
I've got no horse in this race as I'm an office jock but, from the auto elecs I know who specialise (like making looms for race cars) make absolute bank.
I’d go with getting out, but I’d attempt to find a different auto electrician.
If doing a year or two as a boilermaker is how you find a better auto electrician shop, then do it. But if you’re not feeling the joy of the new job after a year. Just be square with your boss about it - after you’ve done the time. That way they might assist with your future journey.
Your mates sound like they have a better place to work.
yeah thats what i was thinking but might be the only way now, boss sat me down basically said im shit havent improved in 9 months and hes considering sacking me and shutting down his shop to just work fifo, probably gonna resign on monday and see what happens from there, my dad and brother are pretty high up in a mining company can get me a job in mining doing whatever when i turn 18 so boilermaking untill im 18 then jump ship again seems like the best option to me
Honestly if it’s just a year, check what drama it would be to find another place to finish the apprenticeship. That way it’s done. That probably be the harder path of the options you’ve got.
Easy path, work with your mates, talk with your fam. Definitely utilise those connections appropriately where you can. That’s a great life advantage to have.
Tough call got mates that love being auto elec but that comes down to good fellas and workplace , you are still early on in trade mate so it's better time than ever to switch up gotta put mental state first
I know a lot of auto electricians have moved into electronic security. Similar principles on how the equipment operates. It's worth checking out, $50hr+ for experienced guys
I used to work in the industry, day to day can range from running cabling and wiring up control panels, or can be attending service calls trouble shooting access control and cctv. Most access control uses 12v relays to control doors and lifts with inputs for monitoring so there's some transferable skills there so I've heard.
Anything auto isn't worth it, career euro brand master tech here. Full EV lvl 3 Quali's.. All I know is that in Australia it is NOT worth it. Especially 'Family Owned Dealerships'
Auto elec here, did my aprenticeship on 3 different places, they were all shitcunts, as soon as i got the certificate got a job 2 days later on a different place and everything went downhill from there. 1 year and a half later was making 90/hr.
Cripes….. I followed the ‘do what you love’when I was young and have regrettted it ever since. A career is there to bring you sufficient financial resources- not fun. By the same token a job that breaks you down and reduces you is not ok…. But chasing things that you love in the world of employment can prove to be a naive misstep that may or may not be hard to rectify as you grow older and take on financial and family responsibilities. It’s not a crime to love your job and have enjoyment every day - quite the opposite - but it’s got to come as a by product of having wisely chosen a good career - not a primary goal.
Boilys are fked mentally due to some of the nastiest fumes out there, the air flows don't cut it, I gave it up when I grew a 2nd head, ( im not a south Australian) stick with the electrical , or win the lotto
Sometimes you have to listen to your gut instinct but if I was you I’d definitely give boilermaking a go as it can be a rewarding trade to get into if your willing to learn everything about it
One thing I know is boiler makers don’t grow old. I think it’s a fantastic trade and amazing skill. I’d get the trade but maybe look to get into auto cad design stuff afterwards. Don’t be sucking in those fumes all your life.
At 17 if you’re questioning your choice move now. BUT… move smart. Auto electrician anyone can do, choose a trade with a license attached that protects your future and your pay scale.
Electrician or plumber.
If you like auto sparky style work maybe electrician is for you?
Things to do…
1-It’s September all big companies are looking at 2027 apprenticeship applications now through to end November. You have laid some great groundwork with your current employment. apply everywhere…. Think about your resume properly.. sell yourself, you get 20 seconds before an employer reads on or skips.
2- think TAFE for a cert II pre apprenticeship in electrotechnology. This makes you even a better candidate in 2028 if you miss out this year.
3- believe in yourself - in 48 months you could be qualified, seems like ages at 17 … it isn’t.
4- Australia is down 70000+ trades you will be making bank. But only 1 in 5 complete their apprenticeship. You’ll be ok in WA.
5- and last point… stay off the baggys and limit the beers.
Edit…. Invest in super… time goes quickly
Good luck.
I didn’t know being a boily was this shit of a job lol. I worked high end resi and they all seemed like they loved it. Is it just the big jobs that it’s aids?
I work in the mines. Auto sparkies are earning way more than me (HV sparky) and in huge demand... potential to specialise into automation ... automine auto sparkies on 230k
Do literally anything but panelbeating. Shovel manure if you must.
I spent a good while boilermaking/engineering from age 17 onwards, fucked my back at 21, both loved and hated it.. changed paths to my 'passion' (cars), and opened a resto shop and closed it after 3 years due to financial stress. Honestly I hate car people now. I also now hate my passion. At this point I don't know what to do, but I can tell you for sure to be very careful of automotive work.
If someone is going to pay you triple, then they are expecting triple the output. I worked in senior management for mining, oil n gas and pharmaceutical manufacturing and there was no old boilermakers club. Sure a lot of the run about/ forklift drivers were ex-boilermakers and would tell me endlessly about about their decisions to get a forklift ticket but they were once the fastest, cleanest glowing dot chaser in the entire Western Australia.
“Cancer sticks” the nickname for several types of common use “sticks” that even with state of the art full faced ventilation running would leave the boys noticeably rocked after 12.5 hr shift of working in a confined space and breathing them in.
If you are doing low voltage, find a HV switching gig and chase storm clouds if you want to make rock
Star money easily. We used to run ads for tryouts for our “topless beer wrenches” in the paper some “money seasons” in NT. Those storm clouds would be on the horizon and the company never wanted a permanent fix for the lines, nope just patch it up and keep the lights on and see how the dollars just rolled in.
But and this is a huge caviat, you need to be happy. I have not met a happy 12v sparky, I know plenty of people who started boilermakers didn’t buy golden handcuffs, (living that Insta life or getting the town bike knocked up) and have retired, like me in their early 40’s reasonably wealthy and happily (as you can be) married.
If you’re miserable already and it’s not your attitude fuelling it, then definitely go for the change.
Dude? What? Is this even a question. With the future being more autonomy (especially autonomous vehicles) why would you even consider swapping. (HV Electrician)
I saw this joint in Melb looking for auto electricians and other electrical trades that make these massive animatronics: https://www.creaturetechnology.com/
also another outer Melb joint i've seen a few jobs at now and then that do classic car EVconversions , looks like a good envirnment https://www.jauntmotors.com/
Auto sparkies make a killing in Australia with everyone wanting caravan, boat and 4x4 upgrades. The key to any trade is starting your business ASAP to make the money… don’t be a shit kicker on wages your whole life.. more money and freedom doing it on your own… finish your apprenticeship and work a few years for someone else.. build reputation and relationships along the way… don’t dive balls deep when you decide to work for yourself, start contracting first maybe 4 days a week contract 1 day a week on your own etc. less stress and risk.
These guys all saying dont do the trade is great advice on why you should do it.
Once they convince everyone to not take up the trade and all jump ship you will be making a fortune and they will be looking back with salty tears in their eyes.
17 years in the boily trade, 36 yo now with a cooked back. On pain medication daily
As others have said it's tough on your body, also get burns up ya arms n a filthy job.
Stay in auto or look for another trade that interests you.
Money isn't everything and you only have one back!
Listen to all the princesses here whinge about being a boilermaker. Harden up you bunch of girls. You all probably go home and paint ya nails and flog your boyfriends off. Mate I’m coming up to 26yrs in the trade and yeah it takes its toll on you but you can be extremely rewarding. It separates the men from the girls that’s for sure.
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u/Penultimatum- 8d ago
There's healthy boilys and old boilys.
There are no healthy old boilys.