Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics

Nature of work

Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics install, maintain, troubleshoot, overhaul and repair stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. This group includes industrial textile machinery mechanics and repairers. Construction millwrights are employed by millwrighting contractors. Industrial mechanics are employed in manufacturing plants, utilities and other industrial establishments.

Job duties

Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:

• Read blueprints, diagrams and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.
• Install, align, dismantle and move stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment, such as pumps, fans, tanks, conveyors, furnaces and generators according to layout plans using hand and power tools.
• Operate hoisting and lifting devices such as 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.
• Operate machine tools such as lathes and grinders to fabricate 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

To work in this occupation, you should have an interest in electronics and mechanical operations. A strong background in mathematics and the sciences is important. You must be able to cooperate with others and perform routine tasks. Agility, physical strength, and hand-eye coordination are needed. You must also have good vision and hearing, and an inclination to work with tools.

Job requirements

• Completion of high school is usually required.
• Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in industrial machinery repair or millwrighting is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Textile machinery mechanics hired from other industries may require additional training in textile processes and experience as a textile manufacturing machinery operator.
• Industrial mechanic (millwright) trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified industrial mechanics or millwrights upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Other considerations

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. Industrial mechanics and millwrights may be cross-trained in a second trade such as pipefitting, welding, machining or electrical maintenance. The wage rate for apprentices is usually a percentage of the journeyperson rate, increasing upon completion of each stage of the apprenticeship program. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Regulations

Contacts

General Labourer – Belting Division

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Millwright

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