Although many people have undoubtedly heard the term ‘millwright’, only a very small percentage of the population would likely be able to articulate what these tradespersons actually do in their jobs. Once the roles of a millwright are explained, the importance of such jobs within the manufacturing sector becomes abundantly clear.
From an overall perspective, millwright jobs include the installation, maintenance, and repair of stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment in such facilities as:
- Factories and production plants
- Recreational or amusement parks
- Construction sites
On a more specific basis, millwright jobs play a key role in ensuring that the industrial machinery and mechanical equipment are properly set up/installed and maintained such that the manufacturing/operating process runs continuously, smoothly, and efficiently.
Due to the amount of responsibility and accountability inherent in millwright jobs, the individuals who aspire to succeed in these roles must exhibit an effective combination of:
- Education
- Hands-on work experience, and
- A diverse skill set
It is also important to note that gaining full-time employment in millwright jobs is not achieved overnight. It takes some time to become competent and proficient in this role, including an extensive apprenticeship period; however, the willingness to invest the time and effort required can lead to a rewarding career in the manufacturing industry.
The Education, Hands-On Experience, And Skills Needed To Get Millwright Jobs
If your career interests lie in the field of millwright jobs, you may/will need to address your educational background, hone certain skills through apprenticeship(s), and ensure that your competence with many interpersonal skills and organizational skills.
The following is a general outline of the aspects that should be considered or completed to improve your potential for success in becoming a millwright in the manufacturing sector. It is not intended to represent any type of definitive, non-negotiable, or inflexible roadmap to obtaining millwright jobs.
Educational Elements
- Mechanical drawing
- Technical drawing (drafting)
- Mathematics
- Safety/emergency procedures (occupation health and safety)
- Working with hazardous chemicals (WHMIS)
Millwright Apprenticeships (or Job Placements)
- Precision instruments (micrometers, calipers)
- Machine tools (lathes, millers, grinders)
- Hydraulics and pneumatics
- Mechanical systems (assembly lines, temperature and lighting control)
Interpersonal And Technical Skills
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Networking (to create inter-departmental synergies and to secure resources)
- Problem solving
- Decision-making
- Reading diagrams and schematics
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) – digital computer for the automation of mechanical systems
In terms of developing/gaining experience in the various skill areas for millwright jobs, you may consider pursuing apprenticeship opportunities as part of a formal program at a community college or technical school, in essence addressing both educational and work experience requirements simultaneously. Some of the recommended training programs or skill development opportunities may either be offered by the manufacturing facilities that support and provide millwright apprenticeships or are required by law before any individuals start such jobs.
Another option to finding a millwright placement opportunity might be the services offered through a technical staffing agency such as Winters Technical Staffing. The professionals at Winters Technical Staffing are well versed and well connected with respect to placements for millwright jobs – they will support and guide your efforts through each step of the process to find a placement in the manufacturing environment that best suits your needs and skills.
To launch your search for a millwright job, call Winters Technical Staffing today at 1-877-495-7422 or contact us to discuss your interests and the steps required to achieve your desired success.
rachel benson
My son is currently trying to decide on a profession. I have to admit that I didn’t know what becoming a millwright consisted of. It seems like a profession my son might be interested in. Do you have to have a lot of specialized schooling to become a millwright? http://www.k-indu.com