Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
(NOC 7311)
in All Trades and TransportationConstruction 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 Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
Outlook: average, mostly balanced conditions in the labour market.
Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: large, with regular job opportunities.
Demand: Approximately 95 opportunities are estimated for Halifax, and 145 outside Halifax. Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions. High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to employment opportunities. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. Employment can be seasonal with more opportunities in the summer months. Several positions will become available due to retirements.
Work hours: full-time, usually. Both permanent and temporary positions are common.
Hourly Pay
$17.79
Minimum$29.12
Median$42.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$20,098
Minimum$61,903
Median$105,029
MaximumCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$24.00
Median$37.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,580
Minimum$37,269
Median$79,787
MaximumAbout the job
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.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$60,049 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$63,453 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$66,744 median annual incomeCape Breton
$61,984 median annual incomeSouthern
$58,450 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Manufacturing
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Public administration
Construction
Wholesale trade
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
25-34
35-44
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
Trade Certification
$64,986 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$68,809 median annual incomeHigh school
$54,970 median annual incomeLess than high school
$39,000 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$32,978 median annual incomeCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Trade Certification
$46,494 median annual incomeHigh school
$31,260 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$42,050 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,319 median annual incomeBachelor
$30,527 median annual incomeEducation & training
Diesel Mechanics Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain diesel engines in vehicles like cars, buses, ships, trucks, railroad locomotives, and construction equipment as well as stationary diesel engines in electrical generators and related equipment.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Electromechanical Technology/Electromechanical Engineering Technology
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in developing and testing automated, servomechanical, and other electromechanical systems. They include courses in prototype testing, manufacturing and operational testing, systems analysis and maintenance procedures, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair and maintain industrial machinery and equipment such as cranes, pumps, engines and motors, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, production machinery, marine deck machinery, and steam propulsion, refinery, and pipeline-distribution systems.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.
Trade Inactive: This trade is currently inactive in Nova Scotia.