Aluminium Shipbuilder

• Certificate I in Engineering (Specialising in Marine Craft Construction)

The industry started about 20 years ago, servicing and building small pleasure craft and fishing fleets. Today, they build light-weight, high-speed ferries and luxury yachts. The innovative designs and the international success of the industry means aluminium shipbuilding is growing and developing.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Practical and Manual

Set Builders, Props Makers, Scenic Artists,  Lighting, Sound, Staging, Vision Technicians,  Food and Beverage Attendant,  Aluminium Shipbuilder,  Baker and Pastry Chef,  Miner,  Mineral Processing Operator,  Chefs,  Viticulturist and Vineyard Hand,  Jeweller and Gem Cutter,  Horticultural Tradesperson (Gardener),  Animal Attendant,  Nursery Worker,  Farmer and Farm Manager,  Butcher,  Livestock Buyer/Livestock Farmers,  Sports Coach,  Aquaculture Farmer and Technician,  Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic,  Automotive Electrician,  Shearer,  Kitchen hand,  Landscape Gardener,  Artist,  Automotive Spray Painter,  Cabinet Maker and Furniture Maker,  Aircraft Maintenance Engineer,  Boilermakers/Welder,  Automotive Technician,  Plumber,  Electrician,  Wool Hide and Skin Classers,  Painters and Decorator,  Signwriter,  Carpenter,  Management Consultant,  Computer Service Technician,  Bricklayer

Of those currently employed in this occupation there are 73% who have Certificate III or IV (primarily in Boilermaking) and 22% have no post school qualification. It is recommended that you gain the available qualifications to get the best possible chance of employment.

TAFE SA offers the following courses to help you gain employment in this occupation: Certificate I in Engineering (Specialising in Marine Craft Construction); and Certificate I in Engineering (Specialising in Fabrication). For further information of courses go to the TAFE website www.tafe.sa.edu.au.

Aluminium shipbuilding is a buoyant, growth industry, which includes people working as welders, fabricators, fitters (engineering assemblers), electricians and as furniture fit-out workers. These trades combine their talents to bring us anything from pleasure craft to high speed aluminium passenger and vehicle carrying vessels.

Manufacturing

Each ship made, requires a team of skilled aluminium shipbuilding trades persons who build the components, assemble the parts and put on the finishing touches. Fabricators build the hull and the superstructure of the vessels. The welders are then responsible for joining the components together. The fitters' role is to look after all the mechanical and propulsion equipment as well as the engine room equipment. The last stage is the fit-out or installation of all the internal furniture fittings, like the seats and tables and those added touches that make the luxury vessels look stylish. Throughout all the stages, electrical trades persons look after the wiring within the vessel.

Working within a team, this is a busy environment where you'll be working in confined spaces and using power tools.

Most Aluminium Shipbuilders work a 45-hour week, either through working or training. You need to learn: how to cut marked-out metal sections and shapes using hand tools; know how to use flame cutting torches or metal cutting machines; shape and bend metal sections and pipes using hand or machine tools; be able to heat and hammer aligns parts to be joined using hand tools and measuring instruments; and join metal sections using various welding techniques, bolting or riveting.

For further information, contact:

Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (SA)
GPO Box 1051 Adelaide SA 5001
Ph: (08) 8332 6155
Fax: (08) 8364 0563
Email: amwusa@amwu.asn.au
Website:www.amwu.asn.au

Engineering Employers Association, South Australia
136 Greenhill Rd Unley SA 5061
Ph: (08) 8300 0133
Fax: (08) 8300 0134
Email: enquiries@eeasa.asn.au
Website: www.eeagts.asn.au

Salaries for qualified tradespeople start at around $35,000, rising to nearly $50,000 per year for those with more experience.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au