Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics

Nature of work

Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (millwrights) install and maintain machinery and equipment in factories and production plants. This group includes industrial textile machinery mechanics and repairers. Construction millwrights work for millwrighting contractors. Industrial mechanics (millwrights) work for manufacturing plants, utilities, and other industrial firms.

Job duties

Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (millwrights):

• Read blueprints, diagrams, and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.
• Install, align, dismantle, and move stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment like pumps, fans, tanks, conveyors, furnaces, and generators according to layout plans using hand and power tools.
• Use hoisting and lifting devices like cranes, jacks and tractors to position machinery and parts during the installation, set-up, and repair of machinery.
• Inspect and examine machinery and equipment to detect and investigate irregularities and malfunctions.
• Install, troubleshoot, and maintain power transmission, vacuum, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and programmable logic controls.
• Adjust machinery and repair or replace defective parts.
• Use machine tools like lathes and grinders to make parts required during overhaul, maintenance, or set-up of machinery.
• Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on machinery.
• Construct foundations for machinery or direct other workers to construct foundations.
• Assemble machinery and equipment prior to installation using hand and power tools and welding equipment.

Sample job titles

• construction millwright
• industrial mechanic (millwright)
• industrial mechanic apprentice
• industrial plant maintenance mechanic
• maintenance millwright
• millwright
• mine mechanic
• textile machinery mechanic
• utility plant maintenance mechanic
• water treatment plant mechanic

Skills

• Mechanical aptitude
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Ability to use trade-related calculations
• Strength and stamina
• Coordination and manual dexterity
• Knowledge of proper lifting techniques
• Ability to visualize layout by looking at plans and blueprints
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems
• Ability to work with others

Job requirements

• High school or equivalent (usually).
• Training through a 7,200-hour apprenticeship program with four apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
• Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours, and other criteria.
• Certification for industrial mechanics (millwrights) is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for industrial mechanics (millwrights).
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.

Other considerations

• The work environment for industrial mechanics (millwrights) is varied and may involve working in extreme or adverse conditions. Working in plant maintenance, they may work indoors and outdoors. The work environment may be noisy.
• They often work shift work and overtime may be required. They may work in confined spaces, underground (in mines), at heights, with heavy equipment, and around moving equipment. The work often requires considerable standing, kneeling, and lifting of materials.
• Risks include injuries from working with heavy machinery or lifting heavy objects.
• Employment in these jobs is not seasonal but can be sensitive to overall economic conditions.
• Construction millwrights are mostly engaged in the initial installation of industrial plant machinery and equipment.
• Industrial mechanics are more concerned with the post-installation maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment.
• Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program are completed.
• Some industrial mechanics may work in specialized areas of the trade like vibration analysis, thermography, tribology, and laser/optical alignment.
• Industrial mechanics (millwrights) often possess overlapping skills with other tradespeople such as steamfitter/pipefitters, industrial instrument mechanics, power engineers, welders, machinists, or industrial electricians. This means they are good candidates for promotion to supervisory and superintendent positions.
• Experienced industrial mechanics (millwrights) may also advance to mentor, planner, manager, instructor, or trainer positions.
• Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

Regulations

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