Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

Completion of Grade 10 or equivalent (including English 10, Mathematics 10, Science 10) is the minimum education requirement; however, completion of secondary school is preferred. Other beneficial qualifications include:

• Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program (or a combination of more than three years work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses) for certification by SkilledTradesBC

Certification is not mandatory in B.C., but it can offer more well-rounded training and will likely increase work opportunities. Millwright and industrial mechanic apprenticeships:

• Can be started in secondary school, through entry-level training at colleges and technical institutes, or by direct entry to the workforce
• Require workers to find a sponsor employer who is willing to participate in the program

Millwrights and industrial mechanics are eligible for Inter-provincial Standard Endorsement (Red Seal) qualification through SkilledTradesBC, which allows holders to work in any province or territory. Once individuals pass the final examination of their accredited training program, they will achieve certification and will automatically receive a Red Seal endorsement.

Workers with 9,900 hours of documented, directly related work experience who have not entered an apprenticeship program may obtain certification by passing a challenge exam administered by SkilledTradesBC. For more information please see the SkilledTradesBC website at www.skilledtradesbc.ca

Industrial mechanics who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Trades training resources

Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

In addition to retirements, a substantial number of jobs will result from worker turnover, as employees leave the occupation or move from one job to another.

Most workers in this group are employed by the Manufacturing industry. In B.C., manufacturing activity is dominated by the wood product and pulp and paper sectors. These sectors have seen limited growth as companies struggle to overcome the impact of U.S. export duties, a strong Canadian dollar, increased international competition and the damage caused by fires and pine beetle infestations. Older mills are being phased out and automation is being used to reduce labour costs in the mills that remain. These factors will all limit the demand for workers in this industry.

New technological developments, such as self-diagnosing machinery, robotics, laser tools and ultrasonic measurement, may somewhat reduce the demand for skilled construction millwrights and industrial mechanics. However, other technological developments, such as the further expansion of green technology, could positively impact demand for these workers.

Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics will be expected to undergo continued skills development to become skilled in a wide range of new technologies.

Workers in this group with additional skills in such areas as welding, electrical work, and power engineering may have an advantage in finding work. Many companies are looking for a construction millwright or industrial mechanic who is able to conduct other trade work, especially in smaller plants without an electrician or engineer.