Millwright and Industrial Mechanic

Job Overview

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Job Category

Trades

Sectors

Education

Environment

Outdoors only

Average Salary

$49,000 to $84,000

Career Demand

Growing

About This Career

Tinkering, turning, tuning, fixing – Millwrights, sometimes referred to as Industrial Mechanics, are some of the most technically difficult of trades. You install, maintain, troubleshoot, overhaul and repair stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. If you’re technically and mechanically inclined, you may want to consider putting your skills to the test in this lesser known trades.

Millwrights, sometimes referred to as Industrial Mechanics, install, maintain, troubleshoot, overhaul and repair stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. They may work on mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, fuel, lubrication, cooling and exhaust systems with components that include pumps, fans, tanks, conveyors, presses and generators.

They work on new or maintenance projects at manufacturing, processing and production facilities or on construction sites and have a mindset for troubleshooting and repair to keep facilities and equipment running.

In this occupation activities may include:

Examining parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear
Assembling and installing equipment using hand tools and power tools
Reassembling equipment after the completion of inspections, testing and repairs
Cutting and welding metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts and assemble new equipment
Repairing or maintaining the operating condition of industrial production and processing machinery or equipment

Education

A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required.

Certification

Standard and emergency first aid
Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
H2S Alive
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Fall protection
Confined space entry
Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)

Licensing

Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program. In most provinces, both of these routes can begin in high school.
The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the Red Seal examination.

You’re a whiz at mechanics and thrive on the challenge of troubleshooting. You’re able to follow procedures closely when adjusting machinery or installing new equipment. You bring good eye-hand coordination, strength, agility and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.