Nature of the Job:
The job of a millwright involves assembling and disassembling complicated machines and equipments. They are responsible for inspecting, installing dismantling and repairing the machineries used in many industries. The job of a millwright starts when a machine is delivered to the job site. They need to unload and inspect the equipments before placing it in position. To move light machineries, rigging and hoisting devices such as pulleys and cables are used. A hydraulic lift-truck or crane operators may be needed to move heavy machineries to position.
The equipments to be used in moving equipments often lies in the decision of the millwrights so knowledge in load-bearing properties of rope, cables, hoists, and cranes is a must.
Their job can be done independently or with a team. Millwrights should have good communication skills because they may need to consult with production managers and other co-workers to ensure that the machines are placed in the best possible position.
It is important for a millwright to perform their tasks quickly and with utmost accuracy because a delay in the availability of equipment that is needed to run an industry entails lost time and profit.
Education Requirements
To be a millwright, a short course training/certificate is required. The training course involves a classroom lecture and on the job training. The lecture covers subject areas in mathematics, blueprint reading, hydraulics, electricity, computers, electronics, and instruction in specific machinery. To handle sophisticated machines, additional training and certification is required.
Skills/Competency Requirements
- Mechanical aptitude.
- Physical strength and alertness for lifting and climbing.
- Good communication skills as they may work with a team.
- Knowledge in reading blueprints.
- Skills in carpentry, welding, and sheet-metal work.
- Knowledge in mathematics, electricity, hydraulics, electronics and computers.
Working Conditions
Majority of millwrights are employed in various manufacturing industries while the others work for construction builders and contractors. Millwrights in manufacturing industries usually work in a shop setting. To avoid injuries and other work hazards, they need to put on protective gears such as safety belts, protective glasses, and hardhats. Millwrights working for construction companies may need to perform their job outdoors under different weather conditions. Millwrights employed in construction companies also work in project sites and this may require travel to long distances.
Modern equipments such as hydraulic wrenches and hydraulic stud tensioners made the work less strenuous and safer for millwrights as it lessened work-related injuries.
Millwrights may be asked to work longer than the 40-hour work week or in a shifting schedule especially during power outages or other emergencies.
Millwrights employed in construction companies work in the project site and this would sometimes require travel to long distances.