Industrial Mechanics

What is an Industrial Mechanic? 

Millwrighting (industrial mechanics) involves the installation, maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of stationary industrial machinery, as well as mechanical equipment in factories, production plants and recreational facilities. 

Millwrights, on a typical job, will read diagrams and schematic drawings and service manuals to determine work procedures, operate rigging equipment to pick and place machinery and parts, fit bearings, align gears and shafts, attach and align motors, connect coupling and belts, perform predictive and operation maintenance using laser alignment tooling, vibrational analysis and destructive/non-destructive testing, service and repair hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, and may do some tack welding, fabrication of machinery and equipment. 

Millwrighting has changed from the past of maintaining flour mills. Today, it is challenging, lucrative and stimulating. The reward of a career as a millwright can also be transferable into further education or related trades. 

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

HOW TO JOIN THE FIELD 

Completion of secondary 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. 

Industrial mechanic trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and territories. 

Construction millwright trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Ontario. 

Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal) is also available to qualified industrial mechanics or millwrights.  

INDIGENOUS AND REMOTE CONSIDERATIONS  

Many Indigenous and remote communities have mechanical knowledge, particularly when it comes to machines used to hunt. This enables people to fix machines in order to continue traditional hunting and gathering activities that sustain life. However, there may be less access to formal training on industrial mechanical knowledge. Many fly-in communities do not have access to the types of equipment and workplace technology learn the ropes in this career. Students from these communities may need to relocate to get their education and training and may also need to travel to job sites once they get a career. However, mechanical knowledge is a highly desirable skill when it comes to life in remote communities where access to replacement parts and equipment is more limited than in other parts of the country. 

DISABILITY CONSIDERATIONS 

As this field involves manual skills and potentially uncomfortable working environments, it may be difficult for people with physical disabilities. Some accommodations may be necessary in order to be successful.   

Industrial Mechanics and the Skills for Success Program

The key Skills for Success for this career path are:

• Reading
• Numeracy 
• Problem Solving 

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