The word Millwright doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere in the world, but here in Canada a Millwright is an Industrial Mechanic.
When most of us think of mechanics we think of the people who maintain and repair our personal vehicles. In Canada, those people are designated as Automotive Service Technicians, and they typically perform work on vehicles with a GVW of up to 5500 kg, or 12,100 lb.
Larger mobile equipment like highway tractors, excavators, graders and off highway trucks are the province of Heavy Duty Equipmment Technicians.
Millwrights generally install, maintain and repair stationary equipment, or equipment that does not travel under its own power. Things like pumps, conveyors, compressors, stationary engines, gearboxes, presses and manufacturing machinery. I often say that the best thing about the Millwright trade is the variety, and the worst thing about the Millwright trade is the variety.
In addition to sawmills, mines and factories, you will find millwrights working at airports, dairies, ski hills, for municipalities, and almost anywhere else you can think of.
For information about the Millwright trade and certification in British Columbia, click here. For information about national certification and the Red Seal program click here.
For information on Thompson Rivers University’s Millwright program (where I teach), click here.