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Machinists Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Machinists work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Machinists. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Machinists click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Equipment Manufacturing

Machinists

work indoors

Machinists set up and operate precision metal cutting and grinding machines such as lathes, milling machines, drills, and grinders to make and repair products made from metals, plastics, rubber textiles, fibreglass, and space age alloys.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Machinists are employed wherever equipment is manufactured or repaired. Some are employed by large organizations such as government departments or repair and maintenance companies.

    Machinists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7231: Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

    • Manufacturing.
    • Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction.
  • DutiesDetails

    Machinists work with exact measurements.

    When there are no prints or other instructions:

    • They figure out measurements on their own.
    • Use logic.
    • Other samples.
    • Tools like micrometers and vernier calipers.
    • Program electronic instruments with digital readouts.

    Some of the tasks Machinists study:

    • Charts, drawings, or sample parts to figure out what must be done next.
    • Calculate dimensions, and prepare working sketches.
    • Measure and mark metal and other materials.
    • Operate computerized tools.
    • Operate non-computerized tools and equipment.
    • Set up and operate tools to perform precision (exact) machining operations.
    • Fit parts and verify dimensions.
    • Must understand the effects of heat treatment on metals and be skilled in heat treatment processes.

    Machinists may work in job or production shops.

    • In job shops:
      • Make, repair parts for different types of machinery and industrial equipment.
    • In production shops:
      • Produce a lot of parts at once.
      • Make parts when it is impossible or too costly to purchase them.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Noisy, dusty shops.
      • Working with dirty materials.
    • Outdoors
      • All weather conditions.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 4:30).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends.
    • May need to work overtime in emergencies.
    • Stand for long periods of time.
    • Fast-paced.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and move over 20 kilograms.
    • Risk of injury working with high-speed machines, sharp metals and tools.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Works well with hands.
    • Mechanical ability.
    • Able to estimate and measure sizes and distances.
    • Able to work independently.
    • Able to concentrate on tasks.
    • Able to complete tasks that require physical effort.
    • Enjoy doing creative work.
    • Enjoy doing work using exact measurements.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • Science 10 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 4 years.
    • 1560 work hours each year.
    • 8 weeks classroom training each year.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Outside the apprenticeship program, the following Alberta post-secondary institutions offer related training:

    • The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton offers a one year CNC Machinist Technician certificate program that includes eight weeks of work experience. The entrance requirement is Grade 10 with English and Math but recent successful applicants have had Grade 12 English and Math.
    • The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary offers a one year Machinist Technician certificate program. The entrance requirement is 70 Alberta high school credits or equivalent with English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2 and Pure or Applied Math 10 or Math 10c or Math 10-3. SAIT also offers a CNC Operator certificate program through Continuing Education. Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

    For current information about programs, admission requirements, and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Inspector.
    • Foreman.
    • Superintendent.
    • CNC Machinist Programmer.
    • Self-employed.
    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year (for seasonal jobs).
    • Location in Alberta.

    Future Trends:

    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $24 to $32 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate). Apprentice machinists earn at least 55 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 per cent in the second, 75 per cent in the third and 85 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors occupational group earned on average from $21.40 to $33.22 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $27.45 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails