From a trades guy…

Hello everyone, this is Joel Boyd from Trade Smart College. I am the senior Instructor here, and if you choose to enrol in our program, you will be spending 8 weeks with me in the classroom. I am a certified red seal millwright with 30 years experience in the trades. At Trade Smart College we currently offer 5 trades to choose from; Automotive, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, and Carpentry. So you may be asking yourself what is a millwright and what do they know about the above trades? Well let me answer some of your questions.

What is a Millwright?

A millwright is a non-compulsory trade. There are two types of millwright, construction (which is not Red Seal endorsed) and Industrial (which is Red Seal endorsed). I am an industrial millwright. The apprenticeship for an Industrial Millwright is 8000 hours and consists of three levels of schooling. A millwright is responsible for the maintenance and repair of an industrial facility. I worked in the steel industry, the manufacturing industry and for a short time in the heavy equipment industry. I have had a very versatile career.

What does a millwright know about the trades offered at Trade Smart College?
My role as senior instructor at the college is not necessarily to teach you about the trade you have chosen, my job is to teach you the professional employee skills that will make you exceptional in the workforce. After your time in class, you will learn, and my team and I will supervise you on 6-month internship with a company where you will learn the basic technical skills required in your trade. That being said, you will be very surprised how much training a millwright has in all the trades that Trade Smart College offers.

Automotive

I started working in the automotive industry just out of high school. Learning about cars and how they operate was the backbone of my skills that helped me become a millwright. Automobiles are machines with gears, engines, hydraulics, pumps and electronics. These are the same systems in all machines. The components might be larger or smaller, however the principles are the same.

Electrical

As millwrights we learn basic, intermediate and advanced electricity in trade school. We work directly with Industrial Electricians (another non compulsory trade) and assist with installation and removal of electrical and electronic equipment. Many millwrights are dual ticketed as industrial electricians allowing them to work in an industrial facility as both.

Plumbing

Hydraulics, pneumatics, and other piping systems are very common in industrial facilities. In fact, most of my emergency calls as a millwright had to do with leaking or broken pipe. A millwright learns about different types of piping systems, as well as valves, fittings, gaskets and more. We are usually the first to be called for ANY mishaps or problems in the facility. If able we will repair, or if needed we will assist with any repair required.

HVAC

An IMT (industrial maintenance technician) licence is required to work on gas systems in an Industrial facility. This is the same requirement as a fully licensed residential gas fitter. Although again not able to work in the residential or commercial sector, in the industrial workplace, millwrights repair, replace and maintain all gas systems. We (millwrights) also fabricate metal, and learn different cooling systems for a variety of machines.

Carpentry

Reading blueprints and drawings, measuring and using an extensive supply of hand tools are all requirements of a millwright. Just as a carpenter builds items to spec, millwrights do the same, just with some different materials.

Final Thoughts

As stated before, my position at the college is to teach you the “soft skills” that companies want from individuals before they start. Some of these skills are, show up on time, have a positive attitude and put the phone away. Along with other personal development and trades expectations. However, should some specific trade questions arise, as a millwright I am more than capable of answering them. And if I don’t know I guarantee you I will find out, because that’s what millwrights do.

Be well
Joel