Boilermakers Local 647 is a construction lodge of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) — one of North America's oldest and largest skilled trades unions. The local was founded in 1936 and represents members across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. As a union, Local 647 negotiates wages, benefits, and working conditions on behalf of members while also running the apprenticeship program that trains the next generation of Boilermakers.
Members work as contractors at heavy industrial job sites rather than for a single employer — meaning career flexibility and exposure to a wide variety of industries and projects throughout the region.
What Do Boilermakers Actually Do?
Despite the name, modern Boilermakers do far more than work on boilers. They construct, install, maintain, and repair:
- Pressure vessels, tanks, and closed vats used in industrial and energy settings
- Boilers and heat exchangers at power plants
- Structural components at refineries, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities
- Piping systems and industrial frameworks
Work is hands-on and physically demanding, often at elevation or in confined spaces. Job sites include coal and gas-fired power plants, nuclear facilities, petrochemical refineries, and industrial plants throughout the region.
Careers Available
Apprentice Boilermaker The entry point into the trade. Apprentices work alongside experienced Journeyworkers on real job sites from day one while completing classroom instruction and hands-on lab training. The program spans four years / approximately 6,000 hours.
Journeyworker Boilermaker A fully credentialed craftsperson who performs the full range of Boilermaker tasks — welding, fitting, rigging, layout, and equipment installation/repair — independently and at the highest skill level.
Foreman / General Foreman Experienced Journeyworkers who step into leadership roles, coordinating crews and managing work on specific sections of a project.
Inspector / Quality Control Journeyworkers with advanced certifications who inspect welds, pressure vessels, and structural components for code compliance and safety.
Superintendent / Project Manager Senior roles overseeing entire projects, managing schedules, contractors, and client relationships. [Needs follow-up: confirm whether Local 647 members commonly advance into these roles or if these are contractor-employer positions outside union jurisdiction.]
Ramsey, MN 55303
