A millwright is a tradesperson whose responsibility is to troubleshoot and maintain industrial infrastructure and mechanical equipment in job sites like power plants or construction sites. This profession requires welding skills and a lot of physical effort. Millwrights typically earn more money in utilities than other sectors.

This informative guide will show you how to become a millwright. You will learn about salaries, responsibilities, and professional requirements.

A millwright is an industrial mechanic who is in charge of maintaining, repairing, or installing machinery and equipment. The original role of a millwright was to construct wind-powered or water-powered mills such as paper mills, flour mills, sawmills, and fulling mills. That’s why this profession is considered one of the oldest engineering trades.

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Today, due to the technological advancements in industrial machinery, millwrights only work with the maintenance of these tools, such as aligning electric motors. It’s important to mention that the term millwright is mostly used in the United States and Canada. Other countries refer to these professionals as industrial mechanics.

Industrial mechanics have a pretty technical job, so you’ll need the appropriate job training. To become a professional millwright, you need to have a high school diploma, complete an apprenticeship program, and start logging work hours. You may also get an Associate Degree in Industrial Maintenance or a technical diploma, but it’s not required.

There are several types of programs you can attend to gain training for a millwright career. The following list will show you some of the most common millwright education tracks.

Most trade schools offer apprenticeship programs. This is an on-the-job training program needed to become a millwright. You will learn fundamentals in class but spend most of your time practicing at work.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), apprentices are paid about half of their skilled counterparts, and the average duration of the program is four years.

In community college, you can also join an apprenticeship certificate program. They usually last around two years and their curricula offer opportunities for hands-on experience. This is a great way to start your career as a millwright since it’s short-term and less expensive than a traditional university.

While studying at community college, you can complete the requirements for an Associate Degree in Industrial Maintenance or Maintenance Technology. This will help you start a career as a millwright.

Any degree higher than an associate, such as a bachelor’s degree, is more than you need. Besides being expensive, traditional universities struggle to prepare students for the workforce.

There are many millwright courses out there that can help you build a strong foundation in this profession. However, they are usually introductory courses, so you should eventually earn an associate degree or a technical diploma to obtain more advanced knowledge.

There are several steps you should follow to become a millwright. This is a highly technical profession that requires a mix of in-classroom theories and on-the-job training. Check the following guide to get detailed instructions.

A millwright installs massive industrial equipment. They must be able to work with heavyweight equipment, so they should have coordination skills, precision, and a clear communication style, among other technical and soft skills.

Below we have listed some of the most fundamental millwright skills.

According to 2020 figures, BLS estimates that the average millwright salary is $54,920, which is significantly higher than the national median income. This is because a millwright’s working conditions demand high levels of physical effort. This figure can also be higher, depending on the work experience and qualifications.

Furthermore, in data published by BLS, the demand for millwrights is expected to grow 13 percent over the next eight years. This is much higher than average, in part because the manufacturing sector continues to expand every day, and more millwrights are needed to maintain all the heavy equipment.

Although it may seem like a rudimentary trade, most companies require millwright candidates to have some education. Some companies prefer candidates to have an associate degree, and all millwrights need to complete a formal apprenticeship program. The idea is to have enough education and work experience to validate your skills.

Millwright craftsmen have a large set of responsibilities. These include welding mechanic parts, installing industrial equipment, maintaining mechanic systems, and troubleshooting them if they need to be repaired or replaced.

Although some professional organizations offer certifications for millwrights, you don’t need a license to start working. As long as you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’re good to go.

When up for a millwright job, you must be able to highlight your skills, appear confident, and pay close attention to the interviewer’s questions. To ace the interview, you should research the company in advance to understand the dynamics of the business and gauge how you can improve their mechanic systems.

Check the following list to get an idea of what the interviewer may ask.

It takes about four years to become a millwright, which is how long the average apprenticeship lasts. You may also opt to add a two-year associate degree. To be fully proficient in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the job, you should plan to invest the full six years to become a millwright.

This is a profession that requires a lot of manual labor and practical skills. You should become a millwright if you think you are prepared for this type of challenge. This is a relatively high-paying and in-demand trade, making it easier for you to find a job.