How To Become A Millwright In Ontario? (2023)

Various companies require the services of professional Millwrights who are conversant enough with the working parts of machinery, equipment, and systems. Approximately 37,600 people work in this occupation in Ontario.

To become a Millwright in Ontario, you will need to complete four years of an apprenticeship program, and take courses such as Computerized Maintenance Management System, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis, and Critical Control Point (HACCP) to qualify for a certificate.

The certification process will take into account your ability to read and understand technical manuals, disassemble machinery to know when there is a problem, repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components,

perform tests to make sure that the machine is running smoothly, and test malfunctioning machinery to determine whether major repairs are needed.

How To Become A Millwright In Ontario

Your chosen career field requires the assimilation and application of knowledge, therefore, you need to engage in exciting hands-on and theoretical learning to acquire the technical skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to successful employment in the Millwright industry.

There are four skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario namely, Construction Millwright, Industrial Mechanic Millwright, Packaging Machine Mechanic, and Marine Engine Millwright.

Industrial Mechanic Millwrights require certification from the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA).

As an apprentice, you get to earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working onsite. Your hourly pay will start at about 60 percent of the industry-acceptable hourly rate, which will steadily increase until you reach the full rate (after the apprenticeship stage). Certification is not required. It is voluntary in Ontario, but available to professionals who may need it.

You may be eligible for certification in neighboring provinces if you have more than five years of on-the-job experience and some college or industry courses for construction millwrights. You only need to keep your skills current by keeping up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other Millwrights in various industries.

You need to complete the following steps to be a professional Millwright:

1. Apprenticeship program

The Industrial Millwright apprenticeship program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. The program usually takes four years to complete and consists of 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience, and 720 hours of in-school training.

To qualify for the Millwright apprenticeship program, you need a  minimum of Grade 12 high school education or its equivalent

Some of the courses taught during the programs are technical documentation, AutoCAD, advanced health and safety, welding, mathematics, hydraulics, shop mathematics, blueprint reading, proper hand tool use, welding, electronics, machinery troubleshooting, computer programming, automated systems, welding techniques, robotic systems, computerized Maintenance Management System, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and pneumatics.

You will also be introduced to the rudiments of packaging Millwright, such as working with and maintenance of machinery in the packaging industry.

At this stage, you will need:

  • A valid driver’s license
  • The ability to work various shifts and overtime during peak maintenance periods (such as during spring and summer months)
  • Strong written, communication, and computer skills
  • The availability to travel regularly to different sites
  • An eye for detail, and problem-solving skills
  • Good numeracy skills to take accurate measurements using precision instruments
  • Good time management skills
  • Good teamwork to solve problems

2. Certificate Examinations

As your apprenticeship program to be a certified Construction Millwright, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal. With this certification, you can work as a Construction Millwright anywhere in Canada.

If you studied to be a Millwright outside Ontario, you will need to take the Trade Equivalency Assessment, which costs $235 to qualify for a working certification.

How Much Does It Cost To Become A Millwright In Ontario

Typically, schools and institutions that offer millwright courses charge between $4094.78 and $70,000 (inclusive of learning materials and supplies).

You can also apply for The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to offset part of the tuition, or you can apply for awards and scholarships.

How Much Does A Millwright Earn In Ontario

Industrial Millwrights make around $79,000 per year, two years after being certified. The average yearly salary for a new hire is about $45,858 and can go up to $70,000 or more per year, particularly for those who travel or who join the Millwright Union.

Job Opportunities For Millwrights In Ontario

Millwrights can be hired by:

  • Manufacturers
  • Construction firms
  • Commercial and industrial equipment repair and maintenance providers
  • Mining companies
  • Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution companies
  • Excavation companies

Millwrights typically work in the following sectors:

  • Motor vehicle, body, trailer, and parts manufacturing
  • Construction industry
  • Primary metal manufacturing
  • Repair and maintenance industry
  • Food, beverage, and tobacco product manufacturing

This field is also quite flexible, as you can choose to work full-time, or part-time. Currently, more than 95% of the total population of Millwrights in Ontario are working (compared to 79% for other occupations), while less than 5% work part-time (compared to 21% for other occupations)

In northern Ontario, the mining industry is a major source of work in this occupation.

Some of the popular companies that have a constant demand for Millwrights are Beneva, National Bank, Bulk Barn, Home Depot of Canada Inc, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc, and Urbex Construction Inc.

Are Millwrights In High Demand In Ontario

The availability of employment opportunities for Millwrights in Ontario is currently good, and demand is projected to increase further between the 2021-2023 period.

The current increasing demand has been attributed to sudden employment growth (which has led to more positions opening up for new hires), and several positions have been made available due to retirements and relocations.

Some other factors that have contributed to the demand for Millwright services are:

  • Improved economic growth and manufacturing activity in Ontario and neighboring provinces
  • Favorable levels of non-residential construction, including industrial maintenance projects.
  • Investments in mining operations and nuclear power generation in Ontario.
  • The ongoing need to procure, service, and maintain equipment across various industries.

Related:

To further reinforce the abundant availability of jobs, The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) forecasts that the mining sector in Ontario will need to hire a total of 34,400 Construction millwrights in Ontario from 2022.

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