Industrial Mechanic - Millwright IMA

Holland Code: R (Realistic)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

Apprenticeship programs are run at Fanshawe College in partnership with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. You can not apply to an apprenticeship program through the Ontario Colleges Application Service. Your first step is finding an employer who will support you in your apprenticeship training. The employer must register you as an apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. For more information on the process, please see please see the Fanshawe Apprenticeship website.

Do not have an employer? Fanshawe College’s Continuing Education department offers the in-school course work portion of the industrial electrician apprenticeship. At the end of the course work, students can write an exemption test. See the Continuing Education’s Industrial Mechanic Millwright website for more details.

Arts & Literacy Good reading skills are necessary

Math & Science Good math skills are necessary. If you are currently attending high school, you may benefit from enrolling in a Manufacturing Specialist High Skills Major Program with an emphasis on Technical Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office, email, Internet, checking student portal for course material). You will learn to use computerized numeric control (CNC) systems. A previous exposure to programming concepts would be an asset.

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• The ability to use hands skillfully and quickly, good co-ordination and manual dexterity
• The ability to trouble-shoot mechanical systems
• The ability to visualize a layout by looking at plans and blueprints
• The ability to work independently at tasks that require concentration as well as physical effort
• Enjoy doing creative work with machinery that requires a high degree of skill and precision
• The ability to keep up to date with changing technology
• The ability to get along well with co-workers

Useful background experience for this program would be

A good exposure to industrial and mechanical maintenance. The installation of mechanical equipment and machinery in accordance with best industrial practices would also prove beneficial.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Installation or maintenance millwrights. Other career opportunities exist in machine set-up and technical sales.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Manufacturing, processing and construction companies as well as places such as amusement parks and ski hills.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Shops may be noisy or dusty and have materials that may be dirty
• Often stand for long periods of time and may work in a rushed environment
• Work may be indoors or outdoors
• Work a 37.5 to 40 hour week, usually five weekdays, but may be required to work overtime in emergency situations
• May be required to lift and move items that weigh over 20 kilograms

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Read diagrams and schematic drawings and service manuals to determine work procedures
• Operate rigging equipment and dollies to move heavy machinery and parts
• Fit bearings, align gears and shafts, attach motors, and connect couplings and belts to precise tolerances
• Align and test equipment and make any necessary adjustments
• Perform predictive and operational maintenance using procedures such as vibration analysis, and repair or replace defective parts when necessary
• Service and repair hydraulic, pneumatic and programmable logic controls
• May do some fabrication and tack welding (to temporarily hold components in place until they can be welded by qualified personnel) as well as maintain an inventory of replacement parts.
• May do primarily construction work, plant maintenance or a combination of both types of work
• Often work in close association with other trades people such as machinists, instrument mechanics, welders, electricians and pipefitters

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Links to learn more about apprenticeship in general

• www.apprenticesearch.com
• The Apprenticeship Network
• Apprenticetrades.ca
• Ontario College of Trades
• Employer apprenticeship incentives

Links to learn more about millwrights

• Millwrights Regional Council of Ontario
• Association of Millwrighting Contractors of Ontario (AMCO)
• Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA)
• Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used by the Canadian government to provide detailed information on careers. Click on the links below to learn more about careers associated with this Fanshawe College program. Please note: These codes are listed here for information purposes only. Fanshawe College does not guarantee graduates careers in these fields.

NOC Code 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

The Working in Canada website is an excellent resource for labour market information (wages, jobs available). Go to the website, type in the NOC code from this program and your postal code to get detailed information.

Last Modified: June 1, 2022