millwright

What does a millwright do each day? This varies depending on your job, but it almost always involves some sort of machinery work. The majority of your job responsibilities will consist of tasks such as:

• inspecting equipment and testing to see if it runs safely and correctly
• assembling machinery while following blueprints, schematics, and manuals
• fabricating brackets and mounts to hold equipment safely
• using welding and other skills to create parts of machinery
• installing electrical conduits or wiring to help machines run correctly
• diagnosing potential problems with machines and repairing them
• regularly changing drive chains, bearings, belts, and other parts of machinery
• using forklifts or other heavy equipment to move machinery
• calibrating and setting up new machinery for others to use
• dismantling or discarding any outdated equipment
• assisting with operating certain types of machinery
• learning and following all OSHA guidelines and industry standards for machine safety

Your job also includes coordinating with your workplace and your coworkers. Some millwrights need to write reports or schedule meetings to discuss equipment operations with managers. Others guide new employees through working with the machines and explain how the equipment works. In some jobs, your tasks even include scheduling when machines run and identifying ways to enhance workplace productivity. Your supervisors may also ask for your input when selecting new machines and choosing products.

To do your job, you'll need to be physically present in the areas where machines are used. In some jobs, you end up working indoors in an air-conditioned factory or in a large warehouse without temperature control. Many millwrights also end up working outdoors or even traveling between different job sites. Most of your work is done on your feet, but you get some chances to sit at a desk while designing installations or filling out reports.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include mechanics, machine operators, and electricians. You might also work in close proximity to assemblers and production managers. Other specialists you end up interacting with could include, but are not limited to, electrical engineers, fabricators, or tool and die makers. Many millwrights work on teams, so you also end up working alongside a lot of fellow millwrights.

Long days are common for millwrights. The majority of millwrights work at least 40 hours a week, and many people end up working overtime as well. Your job usually gives you a set schedule to follow, so your work schedule doesn't change constantly. However, these schedules are sometimes atypical. Instead of five 8-hour shifts, many millwrights work four to six 10-hour shifts. Some may even work 12-hour shifts. You can often find jobs offering a variety of shift times. For those who prefer weekend or evening work, there are jobs available. Since millwrights need to be working whenever heavy machinery is used, there are many schedules to choose from. Depending on the industry, you might be on-call for emergency repairs as well.

There is a huge amount of demand for millwrights, so your job outlook is very bright. According to the BLS, millwright employment will expand by 14% by 2031. This is far faster than national job growth rates. Roughly 53,000 new jobs will open for millwrights each year. Why is there so much job growth? Part of this is the switch to automation. As more companies shift to using programmed machines for jobs, there is a need for people to create these complex machines. There is also a lot of growth because many trained millwrights are a lot older. Industry statistics show that many millwrights will be retiring soon, resulting in more positions for new workers. Ultimately, all of this growth is good news for prospective millwrights. You can browse from plenty of jobs to choose your favorite, and there are plenty of opportunities for promotions.

Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:

• being paid weekly
• flexibility
• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a millwright is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!

Job titles like "Millwright II" aren't an official industry-wide designation. Instead, these are simply popular classifications that some companies use to categorize their staff. Usually, a company uses higher numbers to indicate the millwright has more experience and responsibility.

Most people consider the millwright career to be a blue-collar job because you spend a lot of time working with your hands and performing physical labor. However, even though it's technically a blue-collar job, it's not just constant physical labor. There are also a lot of designing, filing reports, meeting with supervisors, and other white-collar tasks involved.

To become a millwright apprentice, you need to apply to a company that offers apprenticeship programs. Some businesses offer paid apprenticeships to promising workers. You can also find apprenticeships through a trade school.

Technically, welding is not a necessity for a millwright. However, it's rare to encounter a job posting that does not require welding. Unless you are overseeing a team that has many other welders, your job will usually include at least some welding.

Being a millwright is certainly a challenging job that tests your intelligence, thoroughness, and physical strength. However, it's not typically stressful or overwhelming. People who are patient, focused, and determined often do well at this job. Fortunately, the higher salary provides ample compensation for the long hours and physical tasks.

Applying for a millwright job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our millwright jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!