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Millwright Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors and outdoors icon that represents where Millwright 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 Millwright. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Millwright click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Equipment Manufacturing

Millwright

work indoors and outdoors

Millwrights install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment in sites such as factories, production plants, and recreational facilities.

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  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Millwrights are employed by manufacturing, processing, and construction companies, as well as places such as amusement parks and skI hills. Those employed in construction may experience periods of unemployment.

    Millwrights are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 7311: Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile). In Alberta, 80 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

    • Manufacturing.
    • Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction.
    • Construction.
    • Repair.
    • Other Services.
  • DutiesDetails

    On a typical job, millwrights:

    • Read diagrams, drawings and service manuals to determine work procedures.
    • Operate equipment to move heavy machinery and parts.
    • Fit bearings, align gears and shafts, attach motors, and connect couplings and belts.
    • Align and test equipment and make any necessary adjustments.
    • Perform maintenance using vibration analysis.
    • Repair or replace broken parts.
    • Fix hydraulic, pneumatic, and programmable logic controls.
    • May do some welding to temporarily hold parts in place until they can be welded by qualified personnel.
    • Keep an inventory of replacement parts.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • May work in plants doing maintenance work.
      • May be noisy.
    • 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 odd shifts.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • lift and move over 20 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Strength and stamina.
    • Works well with hands.
    • Good hand-eye coordination.
    • Able to read blueprints and imagine what project will look like when complete.
    • Able to use information to figure out problems.
    • Enjoys mechanical systems.
    • Able to work alone.
    • Enjoys being part of a team.
    • Enjoys work that requires exact measurements.
    • Enjoys working with machinery and equipment.
  • 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 20-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 20-3 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:

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

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    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 $20.09 to $30.49 an hour plus benefits (2009 figures). Apprentice millwrights earn at least 60 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70 per cent in the second, 80 per cent in the third, and 90 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) occupational group earned on average from $27.22 to $38.34 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $33.97 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails