FIFO Trade Pathways: Boilermaker, Fitter, Rigger, Scaffolder, Welder and Electrician

FIFO is not a trade.

A mine site does not recruit someone simply because they want to work away from home. It recruits workers who can perform a defined role within the operation, maintenance team or shutdown plan — repairing fixed plant, replacing structural steel, controlling a lift, building temporary access, completing coded welding, or maintaining electrical equipment.

Each pathway requires different qualifications, experience and supporting tickets. Understanding where the trades fit helps workers avoid two common mistakes: applying for positions they are not qualified to perform, and spending money on unrelated tickets without building a real occupation.

This guide compares six major pathways commonly seen across FIFO maintenance, construction and shutdown work in Western Australia.

The Six Pathways at a Glance

Pathway	Main purpose	Typical shutdown work	Usual foundation
Boilermaker	Fabricate, repair and modify metal structures and components	Chutes, bins, wear plates, structural repairs and pipework	Fabrication trade qualification
Mechanical fitter	Install, inspect, repair and maintain mechanical equipment	Pumps, gearboxes, bearings, conveyors and crushers	Mechanical trade qualification
Rigger	Move, position and secure loads and plant	Lifts, component change-outs, structural installation and crane support	Dogging and relevant rigging HRWL classes
Scaffolder	Build and modify temporary access structures	Access around plant, vessels, conveyors and structures	Relevant scaffolding HRWL class
Welder	Join and repair metals using specified welding processes	Structural, pipe, plate and repair welding	Fabrication training and demonstrated welding competency
Electrician	Install, test, fault-find and maintain electrical systems	Motors, cables, switchgear, lighting and electrical isolation work	Electrical qualification and appropriate WA licence

These pathways frequently work together. During a major component replacement, scaffolders may establish access, electricians isolate and disconnect equipment, riggers control the lift, fitters replace the mechanical component and boilermakers repair supporting structures. Shutdown work depends on coordination between trades rather than one occupation working alone.

1. Boilermaker Pathway

What Does a Boilermaker Do?

A boilermaker is an engineering fabrication tradesperson who manufactures, installs, repairs and modifies metal components and structures. Despite the name, modern boilermakers do far more than work on boilers — in mining and mineral processing they may work on chutes, hoppers, bins, tanks, structural steel, conveyor structures, wear plates, guards, pipework, platforms, handrails and fixed-plant components.

The work can involve measuring, marking out, cutting, shaping, fitting, welding and inspecting metal.

What Does a Boilermaker Do During a Shutdown?

Shutdown scopes may include removing damaged wear plate, repairing cracks, replacing chute sections, installing liners, modifying structural steel, repairing corroded pipework, replacing guards, cutting seized components, fitting prefabricated sections, and completing welding repairs before plant recommissioning.

Boilermakers need more than good welding technique — they must also understand drawings, measurements, fit-up, distortion, materials, cutting processes, task sequencing, permits, isolations and safe interaction with rigging and access crews.

Typical Qualification Pathway

A common foundation is an apprenticeship leading to a Certificate III in Engineering — Fabrication Trade, usually with a relevant fabrication specialisation, entered through a school-based apprenticeship, a pre-apprenticeship, a direct apprenticeship with an employer, an adult apprenticeship, or a formal trade-recognition process where substantial prior experience exists. A short welding course does not create the equivalent of a full fabrication trade.

Useful Supporting Skills

Depending on the position: Working at Heights, Confined Space Entry, gas testing, EWP, forklift, dogging, basic or intermediate rigging, specialised welding qualifications, and experience reading fabrication drawings — supporting the type of work the boilermaker actually performs.

How a Boilermaker Can Progress

Workshop boilermaker, site boilermaker, fixed-plant shutdown boilermaker, coded or specialist welder, leading hand, supervisor, quality or welding inspector, estimator, planner, or fabrication coordinator. Moving into supervision requires more than being technically strong — it also involves planning work, coordinating people, communicating progress and managing safety responsibilities.

Common Mistake

Do not describe yourself only as a “boilermaker/welder” without explaining your actual capability. A recruiter needs to know whether you are trade-qualified, which materials and welding processes you use, whether your experience is structural, pipe, plate or maintenance-based, which sites or industries you know, and whether you can independently interpret and execute the required scope.

2. Mechanical Fitter Pathway

What Does a Mechanical Fitter Do?

A mechanical fitter installs, inspects, maintains, dismantles and repairs machinery and mechanical equipment. Mining fitters may specialise in fixed plant, mobile plant, pumps, conveyors, crushers, screens, mills, hydraulics, pneumatics, rotating equipment or precision fitting. “Fitter” is a broad description — a fixed-plant fitter and a diesel fitter may both work in mining but perform very different jobs.

Fixed Plant Versus Mobile Plant

Fixed-plant fitters work on equipment that forms part of the processing or material-handling system — conveyors, crushers, screens, pumps, gearboxes, feeders, pulleys, mills, valves and fixed hydraulic systems. Mobile-plant mechanics or diesel fitters maintain equipment such as haul trucks, loaders, excavators, dozers, graders, drills and light vehicles. The two pathways overlap in mechanical principles, but employers may require direct experience with the relevant equipment — do not assume experience in one automatically qualifies you for the other.

What Does a Fitter Do During a Shutdown?

Removing and replacing pumps, changing bearings, replacing gearboxes, inspecting conveyors, changing pulleys, assisting with crusher maintenance, checking alignment, replacing mechanical seals, dismantling equipment, rebuilding components, and supporting testing and recommissioning — frequently working with riggers, crane operators, electricians, boilermakers, operators, lubrication technicians and condition-monitoring personnel.

Typical Qualification Pathway

A common pathway is an apprenticeship leading to a Certificate III in Engineering — Mechanical Trade, developing experience in fitting, machining, mechanical maintenance, fault finding, assembly, measurement and precision work. Mobile-plant pathways may use qualifications focused on plant mechanics, diesel fitting or automotive heavy-commercial systems. Always state the actual qualification held rather than assuming every mechanical certificate has the same scope.

Useful Supporting Skills

Working at Heights, Confined Space Entry, gas testing, EWP, forklift, dogging, rigging, hydraulic training, laser alignment, lubrication, condition monitoring and maintenance-system experience — most valuable when combined with strong mechanical fundamentals.

How a Fitter Can Progress

Apprentice fitter, trade-qualified fitter, shutdown fitter, fixed-plant specialist, condition-monitoring technician, reliability technician, leading hand, supervisor, maintenance planner, scheduler, or reliability engineer with further education.

Common Mistake

Avoid writing only “Mechanical fitter with mining experience.” Explain fixed or mobile plant, equipment types, maintenance methods, shutdown or operational exposure, fault-finding ability and the level of responsibility held.

3. Rigger Pathway

What Does a Rigger Do?

A rigger uses mechanical load-shifting equipment and lifting systems to move, position, install and secure plant, structures and components — selecting lifting equipment, assessing loads, installing lifting arrangements, directing load movement, erecting structural elements, using hoists and winches, and helping position heavy components.

Rigging involves technical decisions about load weight, centre of gravity, lifting points, sling configuration, equipment capacity, travel path, environmental conditions and interaction with cranes or other machinery.

Dogger Versus Rigger

A dogger may select and inspect lifting gear, sling loads and direct a crane operator when the load is outside the operator’s view. A rigger can perform dogging work and additional rigging activities within the limits of the licence class held. A worker should not call themselves a rigger simply because they have helped move materials or worked near cranes.

Rigging Licence Progression

The HRWL pathway generally progresses through Dogging, Basic Rigging, Intermediate Rigging and Advanced Rigging. Each level expands the types and complexity of work that can be performed. Progress according to actual experience and career needs, not simply collecting every class as quickly as possible.

What Does a Rigger Do During a Shutdown?

Removing pumps, motors and gearboxes, positioning conveyor components, lifting crusher parts, moving structural steel, supporting chute replacements, installing or removing plant, using chain blocks and winches, coordinating with crane operators, establishing exclusion zones, and controlling loads in congested work areas — understanding how the lift interacts with access, scaffolding, isolation, mechanical disconnection, structural integrity and changing site conditions.

How a Rigger Can Progress

Dogger, basic rigger, intermediate rigger, advanced rigger, crane operator, rigging leading hand, lift supervisor, lifting coordinator, or shutdown supervisor. Senior lifting roles require strong judgement, planning and communication — not only physical ability.

Common Mistake

Do not list only the highest rigging licence held. Recruiters also need to understand how recently you have rigged, which equipment and loads you have handled, which industries you have worked in, whether you can read a lift plan, and whether you have supervised or only participated in lifts.

4. Scaffolder Pathway

What Does a Scaffolder Do?

A scaffolder erects, alters and dismantles temporary structures that provide safe access and working platforms — around crushers, conveyors, tanks, vessels, chutes, pipe racks, structures, processing equipment and difficult-to-access maintenance areas. Scaffolders often begin work before the main maintenance crews arrive and remain involved as access requirements change.

Why Scaffolding Matters During Shutdowns

A shutdown task cannot begin safely if workers cannot access the work area. Poorly planned scaffold can delay the schedule, block equipment removal, conflict with lifting paths, obstruct other trades, require costly rework, or expose workers to falls and dropped objects. A good scaffolder considers the work to be performed, load requirements, access and egress, emergency arrangements, lifting paths, handover requirements, interaction with plant, and how the scaffold will later be dismantled.

Scaffolding Licence Progression

The HRWL pathway progresses through Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Scaffolding. The licence held must match the work performed — Working at Heights training does not replace a scaffolding licence.

What Does a Scaffolder Do During a Shutdown?

Building access platforms, erecting scaffold around fixed plant, modifying scaffold as scopes change, installing edge protection, supporting confined or restricted-area access, completing scaffold inspections, managing scaffold tags and handovers, and dismantling structures after task completion — often under significant schedule pressure because other trades are waiting for access. That pressure must not result in incomplete platforms, unauthorised alterations or rushed handovers.

How a Scaffolder Can Progress

Basic scaffolder, intermediate scaffolder, advanced scaffolder, scaffold inspector, leading hand, supervisor, access coordinator, estimator, or shutdown access planner.

Common Mistake

Do not treat scaffolding as a generic entry-level job with one quick ticket. The occupation involves licensed work, significant fall exposure, manual handling and responsibility for the safety of many other workers using the structure.

5. Welder Pathway

What Does a Welder Do?

A welder joins or repairs metal using a defined welding process — shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, submerged arc welding and other specialised processes, with carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, plate, structural sections, pipe and specialised alloys.

Boilermaker Versus Welder

The terms are often combined but are not identical. A boilermaker generally performs a broader fabrication scope including marking out, cutting, forming, fitting, assembly, structural repair and welding. A welder may specialise more deeply in producing welds to a required process, position, material or standard. Many boilermakers are capable welders — not every person who can weld is a trade-qualified boilermaker. The job advertisement should make clear whether the employer requires a fabrication tradesperson, a production welder, a coded welder, a pipe welder, a boilermaker-welder or another specialist.

What Does a Welder Do During a Shutdown?

Repairing structural cracks, replacing worn plate, welding chute liners, repairing pipework, installing fabricated sections, rebuilding damaged components, completing temporary or permanent repairs, and supporting modifications — requiring strict control of consumables, material preparation, preheat, interpass temperature, weld sequence, distortion, cleanliness and inspection.

Welding Qualifications and Testing

A fabrication trade qualification can provide a broad occupational foundation, but particular jobs may also require evidence that a welder is qualified or tested for a specific welding process, material, position, thickness range, pipe diameter, standard or approved welding procedure. A general welding certificate does not automatically qualify a worker for every coded or procedure-controlled weld. Confirm the exact standard and procedure required before paying for additional testing.

How a Welder Can Progress

Apprentice fabricator, boilermaker-welder, structural welder, pipe welder, coded welder, specialist alloy welder, welding supervisor, welding inspector, quality-control role, or fabrication coordinator.

Common Mistake

Do not write “Qualified in all welding.” No worker is qualified for every process, material, position and standard. State the processes, materials, positions, procedure qualifications, recent work, and the type of fabrication or repair performed.

6. Electrician Pathway

What Does an Electrician Do?

An electrician installs, tests, maintains, repairs and fault-finds electrical systems and equipment — fixed plant, mobile equipment, processing facilities, power generation, switchrooms, motors, drives, cables, lighting, instrumentation and control systems. Electrical work is regulated; holding a related qualification does not automatically authorise a person to perform unrestricted electrical work in Western Australia.

What Does an Electrician Do During a Shutdown?

Isolating and disconnecting motors, testing circuits, replacing cables, maintaining switchgear, terminating equipment, inspecting electrical systems, supporting mechanical component changes, fault finding, testing before energisation, and assisting with commissioning. Electrical crews often work at the beginning and end of a mechanical task — accurate communication between electricians, operators, fitters and authorised isolators is essential.

Typical Qualification and Licensing Pathway

An electrical apprenticeship, completing the required technical qualification, working under the required training licence and supervision, completing assessments and regulatory requirements, and obtaining the appropriate electrical worker’s licence. Workers from interstate, New Zealand or overseas may need recognition, gap training or a specific WA licensing process before carrying out electrical work — never assume an overseas qualification or interstate history automatically creates authority to work in WA.

Industrial Electrical Versus Instrumentation

An industrial electrician may focus on motors, switchgear, power distribution, drives, protection systems and plant electrical maintenance. An instrumentation technician may focus more on sensors, transmitters, control loops, calibration, process measurement and control systems. Instrumentation is not simply a short add-on to basic electrical work — it is a technical specialisation.

Useful Supporting Skills

WA electrical licence, CPR, low-voltage rescue, First Aid, Working at Heights, EWP, Confined Space Entry, instrumentation training, hazardous-area competency, high-voltage switching, PLC or control-system exposure, and mining-equipment experience — some requiring specific authorisation beyond holding a course certificate.

How an Electrician Can Progress

Apprentice electrician, licensed electrician, industrial electrician, fixed-plant electrician, mobile-equipment electrician, instrumentation technician, high-voltage specialist, leading hand, electrical supervisor, maintenance planner, commissioning technician, or electrical contractor with the required additional licence and business arrangements.

Common Mistake

Do not confuse an electrical qualification with the legal authority to perform all electrical work. Your profile should clearly show qualification, licence type and status, state of issue, industrial experience, voltage and equipment exposure, and any genuine specialisations.

Trade Assistant: Entry Path or Separate Role?

A trade-assistant position can expose a worker to shutdown conditions and industrial work — preparing tools and materials, housekeeping, moving equipment, supporting qualified tradespeople, cleaning components, setting up work areas, and completing authorised basic tasks.

However, a trade assistant is not permitted to present themselves as a qualified fitter, boilermaker, electrician, rigger or scaffolder without the required training and licence. Trade-assistant work can help someone understand the industry, build references, confirm which trade interests them, and pursue an apprenticeship — it should not become a shortcut around trade training.

Apprenticeship Versus Ticket Collection

For boilermakers, fitters and electricians, the most credible pathway generally begins with an apprenticeship or recognised trade process, combining paid employment, practical workplace development, formal training, supervision and a nationally recognised qualification. It takes longer than completing several one-day courses because it develops an occupation rather than isolated competencies.

For rigging and scaffolding, the HRWL pathway is central, but safe progression still requires workplace experience and exposure to increasingly complex work.

The correct question is not “Which ticket gets me the highest FIFO rate?” It is “Which pathway can I realistically build into a long-term occupation?”

How to Choose the Right Trade Pathway

1. Start with the Work, Not the Roster

Choose the work you can see yourself performing for years. FIFO conditions can change — a transferable trade remains valuable across mining, construction, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure.

2. Consider Your Strengths

Mechanical troubleshooting, fabrication, precision work, lifting and coordination, access construction, specialist welding, or electrical fault finding — each requiring a different mix of physical capability, technical knowledge, spatial awareness, patience, precision, communication and responsibility.

3. Understand the Training Commitment

A full trade is not built through a weekend course. Research apprenticeship duration, entry requirements, available pre-apprenticeships, workplace opportunities, licensing, TAFE requirements and adult-apprenticeship options.

4. Look Beyond the First Job

Consider where the pathway can lead after five or ten years — supervision, planning, inspection, quality, reliability, training, coordination or technical specialisation.

5. Speak to People Doing the Work

Talk to tradespeople, apprentices, supervisors, training providers, employers and Jobs and Skills Centres about the actual day-to-day work, not only pay and roster.

6. Test the Environment Where Possible

Work experience, a pre-apprenticeship or a related entry-level role may help you understand whether the occupation suits you. It is better to discover early that a pathway is not right than to purchase unrelated training based on social-media claims.

How Experienced Tradespeople Can Move into Mining

A worker may already be trade-qualified without having mine-site experience. The transition is often easier when they present their transferable experience clearly — from manufacturing, ports, refineries, power generation, construction, marine, defence, oil and gas, food processing, utilities and heavy workshops.

For example, a fitter from manufacturing may already understand conveyors, pumps, bearings, mechanical isolations, preventive maintenance and breakdown response. A boilermaker from structural construction may already understand drawings, fabrication, lifting coordination, height work and welding inspection.

The worker should explain the connection without pretending that every industry operates identically. Mine sites have their own procedures, hazards, inductions, equipment, reporting systems and operating conditions — experienced workers still need to learn the site.

Building a Trade Profile Recruiters Can Use

Whatever pathway you choose, your profile should show more than the trade name — exact qualification, licence classes, years and type of experience, fixed-plant or mobile-plant exposure, equipment, materials, welding processes, industry background, selected shutdowns, current supporting tickets, location, point of hire and availability.

Compare “Rigger with shutdown experience” with: “Intermediate Rigger based in Perth with four years of shutdown and construction experience. Recent work includes fixed-plant component change-outs, structural installation, chain-block and winch setups, and crane-assisted lifts across iron ore processing facilities.” The second version helps the recruiter understand where the worker fits.

The Bottom Line

Boilermakers, fitters, riggers, scaffolders, welders and electricians all play important roles in mining and shutdown work, but the pathways are not interchangeable. A ticket in one area does not make a worker qualified in another — supporting courses should build on an occupation, not replace it.

Choose the work first. Build the correct qualification or licence. Develop genuine experience. Then use supporting tickets to expand the type of work you can safely and competently perform.

That creates a stronger career than chasing whichever FIFO job currently advertises the highest rate.

Build a Career Profile That Shows Your Direction

WATAhub is designed to help FIFO and shutdown workers organise their trade history, qualifications, licences, experience and availability in one professional profile.

As your career progresses, your profile should show not only where you have worked, but what you are becoming qualified and experienced to do.

Your pathway should be clear. Your progress should be visible.

Training and licensing disclaimer: This article provides general career information only. Qualifications, licence classes, electrical authorisations and employer requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with WorkSafe WA, Building and Energy, Jobs and Skills WA, the National Training Register, an employer and an authorised training provider before enrolling or performing regulated work.