Promoting skilled trades
and technologies in Ontario since 1989.

Manufacturing & Industrial

General Machinists

A Machinist sets up and runs all types of machinery, including CNC (computer numerically controlled) machines. They also know how to use and make tools for shaping, cutting and boring; tools that help build all kinds of things such as cars, cranes and bulldozers. Machining and Tooling Inspectors

The Machining and Tooling Inspector makes sure that the machine and tooling parts meet quality control standards.

Where do Machinists work?

  • Machinery, equipment motor vehicle, automotive parts or other metal products manufacturing companies.
  • Machine tool and die or mold-making shops.

What do Machinists do?

  • Read and understand blueprints, charts and tables.
  • Make, fit and assemble parts.
  • Estimate and measure sizes and distances to accurately lay out work pieces.
  • See and compare slight differences in objects.
  • Work independently at tasks that require concentration as well as physical effort.

What kind of education, training and experience do you need to be a Machinist?

  • Completion of a four year apprenticeship program or a combination of four years of work experience and some college or industry courses.
  • Trade certification is usually available in most provinces, but may be voluntary. Get certification through apprenticeship or a combination of experience and courses in your trade.
  • It is suggested that Machinists update their skills by learning Computer Numerical Controls (CNC)
  • Red Seal Certification is available, making ut easy to work anywhere in Canada

Average Hourly Earnings: $23.00/hour*

*Represents the average hourly wage for someone working in this field in Canada – your actual wage will depend on your experience, qualifications, company and location.

Also known as:

  • Automotive Machinist
  • Aviation Machinist
  • Machined Parts Inspector
  • Machine Shop Inspector
  • Machining Inspector
  • Machinist
  • Tooling Inspector

For more information, check out:

    Canadian Tooling & Machining Association

    140 McGovern Drive, Unit 3

    Cambridge, Ontario

    N3H 4R7

  • Telephone: 519-653-7265

    • www.ctma.com

Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights)

Without Millwrights, factories and industrial plants would just be a bunch of empty buildings. Millwrights set up all the machinery and equipment that allows a factory to function. Once all the machinery and equipment is set up and cranking out products, Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights) make sure that everything keeps on working by fixing and fine-tuning the machines.

Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights) do all of these things:

  • Read diagrams and plans.
  • Set up industrial machinery and mechanical equipment according to the plans.
  • Use lifting equipment (like forklifts and hoists) to position machinery and parts during set-up and repair.
  • Inspect, clean, repair and maintain machinery.
  • Operate machine tools such as lathes and grinders to make parts for overhaul, maintenance or set-up of machinery.
  • Build foundations for machinery or direct other workers to make foundations.

Where do Industrial Mechanic Millwrights work?

  • Primary steel producers
  • Motor vehicle manufacturers
  • Machinery and equipment manufacturers
  • Mining companies

What kind of education, training and experience do you need to be an Industrial Mechanic Millwright?

  • Get trade certification by completing a three to four year apprenticship, or by obtaining a combination of more than five years of work experience and some high school, college or industry courses in millwrighting or industrial machinery repair.
  • Red Seal is available, making it easy to work anywhere in Canada
  • The introduction of computer-controlled equipment means that workers are being expected to maintain and repair "smart" machinery. As an Industrial Mechanic Millwright, you can improve your job opportunities by gaining computer knowledge to deal with programmable logic controllers.

Average Hourly Earnings: $31.59*

*Represents the average hourly wage of someone working in this field in Canada – your actual wage will depend on your experience, qualifications, company and location.

Also known as:

  • Construction Millwright
  • Maintenance Millwright
  • Plant Equipment Mechanic
  • Industrial Mechanic Millwright
  • Treatment Plant Maintenance Mechanic

For more information, check out

    Millwrights Regional Council of Ontario

    79 Sunrise Avenue

    Toronto, ON M4A 1A9

    Telephone: 416-757-8754

    www.millwrightsontario.com

Industrial Electricians

Industrial Electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining and troubleshooting electrical and electronic controls on multiple kinds of machines. They know how to run wires and cable, comprehend schematics, control machinery systems and use switchboxes. They also have a thorough understanding of the Canadian Electrical Code.

Where do Industrial Electricians work?

  • Electrical contractors
  • Motor vehicle manufacturers
  • Shipyards
  • Mining companies
  • Primary steel producers
  • Motor vehicle parts manufacturers
  • Electrical power companies

What kind of education, training and experience do you need to be an Industrial Electrician?

  • Math, physics, and industrial arts are great background courses to have.
  • To gain trade certification, industrial electricians must complete a four or five year industrial electrician apprenticship program or a combination of over five years of work experience and some high school, college, or industry courses in industrial electrical equipment. Trade certification is voluntary in Ontario.
  • According to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Electricians in Canada require a construction and maintenence license.
  • Useful experience/skills such as maintenance, construction/manufacturing, appliance repair, blueprinting and troubleshooting.
  • Red Seal Certification is avaliable, making it easy to work anywhere in Canada.
  • Because robots and computerized controls are a large part of industry, Industrial Electricians who specialize in automation will have better opportunities

Average Hourly Earnings: $29.00/hour*

*Represents the average hourly wage for someone working in this field in Canada – your actual wage will depend on your experience, qualifications, company and location.

For more information, check out:

    ECAO Electrical Contractors

    Association of Ontario

    170 Attwell Drive, Suite 460

    Toronto, ON M9W 5Z5

    Telephone: 416-675-3226

    www.ecao.org

    International Brotherhood of Electrical

    Workers Construction Council of Ontario

    61 International Boulevard, Suite 209

    Toronto, ON M9W 6K4

    Telephone: 416-674-6940

    www.ibewcco.org

Machine Tool Builders

These tradespeople make metal products and parts to rigid specifications (what people in the industry call “tolerances”) for the medical, transportation and high tech industries. Interpreting drawings, performing metal punching or forming operations, installing hardware and assembling components are routine projects for Machine Tool Builders.

Where do Machine Tool Builders work?

  • Precision metal manufacturers
  • Automotive industry
  • Shipbuilding
  • Appliance manufacturing
  • Aluminum doors and frames manufacturers
  • Construction trades
  • Exterior construction firms
  • Primary steel producers
  • Aircraft and parts manufacturers
  • Plumbing, heating and air conditioning construction firms
  • Stamping press and coated metal products companies

What kind of education, training and experience do you need to be a Machine Tool Builders?

  • High school diploma. Courses in math, drafting, physics, industrial arts (metalworking) or computer assisted design are an asset.
  • You have a few options when it comes to apprenticeship: you can complete a mechanical apprenticeship program, such as millwrighting, machining, pipefitting, automotive service or heavy equipment repair; or a four-year machine fitter apprenticeship program; or five years of on-the-job training. Apprenticeship is usually required.
  • In this field, it’s a good idea to continually learn about new advances in metalworking technology and techniques in order to meet customer demand.

Average Hourly Earnings: $26.00/hour*

*Represents the average hourly wage for someone working in this field in Canada – your actual wage will depend on your experience, qualifications, company and location.

For more information, check out

Canadian Tooling & Machining Association

140 McGovern Drive, Unit 3

Cambridge, ON N3H 4R7

Telephone: 519-653-7265

www.ctma.com

Tool and Die Makers

Not only do Tool and Die Makers design and make almost all the parts in cars, jets and other motor vehicles, but they make the tools and dies (tools that shape or stamp) they use, too.

Where do Tool and Die Makers work?

  • Manufacturing
  • Tool and die, mold-making and machine shops
  • Mining

What kind of education, training and experience do you need to be a Tool and Die Maker?

  • A high school diploma. Many new recruits also have a trade or vocational certificate or a community college diploma.
  • Get a trade certification by completing a four or five-year apprenticeship or by obtaining a combination of more than five years of work experience and some high school, college or industry courses in tool and die making. Tool and die making trade certification is available (but not a requirement) in all provinces except Saskatchewan and the territories.
  • Red Seal Certification is available, making it easy to work anywhere in Canada.
  • Mold makers and pattern makers might need to complete apprenticeships or college programs in their areas of expertise. Trade certification is available, but not compulsory, in Ontario and Quebec.

Average Hourly Earnings: $23.50/hour*

*Represents the average hourly wage for someone working in this field in Canada – your actual wage will depend on your experience, qualifications, company and location.

Also known as:

  • Die Finisher
  • Jig Maker
  • Metal Patternmaker
  • Toolmaker
  • Die Maker
  • Metal Mold Maker
  • Mold Maker - Plastics Processing

For more information, check out

    Canadian Association of Mold Makers

    St. Clair College

    2000 Talbot Road West, Box # 16

    Windsor, ON N9A 6S4

    Telephone: 519-255-7863

    www.camm.ca

  • Canadian Die Casters Association
  • 3-247 Barr Street
  • Renfrew, Ont., K7V 1J6
  • 1-866-809-7032
  • www.diecasters.ca

CNC Machinist

CNC Machinists use CNC machines and powerful machines like radial drills, boring mills and lathes to make the metal parts that go into other machines and metal products. Without these people, a lot of stuff wouldn’t work. This job category includes milling machine set-up operators, production gear cutters, numerical control machines operators, and workers who etch metal pieces.

WMain duties include:

  • Read blueprints
  • Set up and operate machines to perform operations such as drilling, boring, honing, broaching and grinding.
  • Use precision measuring instruments to make sure the metal parts they make are the right sizes
  • Prepare etching solution and immerse metal parts in the solution to remove unwanted portions.

Where do CNC Machinists work?

  • Machine shops
  • Metal products or other manufacturing companies

What kind of education, training and experience do you need to be a CNC Machinist?

  • A high school diploma. Many new recruits also have a trade or vocational certificate or a community college diploma.
  • College or other courses in machining.
  • You usually receive several months of on-the-job training.
  • For a senior position like set-up operator, you must have experience as a machine operator.
  • You have better opportunities if you have the ability to work with high-tech applications, especially with numerically controlled machines linked to computers.

Average Hourly Earnings: $23.50/hour*

*Represents the average hourly wage for someone working in this field in Canada – your actual wage will depend on your experience, qualifications, company and location.

Also known as:

  • Boring Mill Operator - Metal Machining
  • CNC Machining Tool Operator
  • Machining Tool Operator
  • Production Gear Cutter
  • Radial Drill Operator - Metal Machining
  • Production Grinder Operator - Metal Machining
  • Lathe Machining Operator
  • Milling Machine Set-up Operator

For more information, check out:

    Canadian Tooling & Machining Association

    140 McGovern Drive, Unit 3

    Cambridge, ON N3H 4R7

    519-653-7265

    www.ctma.com

Welders

As a welder, you could work in just about any field that uses metal products. Welders operate manual and semi-automatic welding equipment. They follow blueprints and welding process specifications.

They may specialize in certain types of welding such as ship building, aerospace precision and pipeline construction.

Where do Welders work?

  • Welding contractors
  • Nuclear power
  • Petrochemical
  • Aerospace
  • Manufacturing
  • Mining
  • Welding shops
  • Transportation
  • Oil and gas
  • Fabrication
  • Pipelines
  • Construction
  • Other industrial sectors

What kind of education, training and experience do you need to be a Welder?

  • High school diploma.
  • To gain certification, welders usually must complete a three-year apprenticeship program or have a combination of more than three years of experience and some college or industry courses in welding.

Average Hourly Earnings: $35.83/hour*

*Represents the average hourly wage for someone working in this field in Canada – your actual wage will depend on your experience, qualifications, company and location.

Also known as:

  • Electric Arc Welder
  • Journeyperson Welder
  • Laser Welding Operator
  • Pressure Vessel Welder
  • Production Welder
  • Soldering Machine Operator
  • Spot Welder
  • Welder-Fitter

For more information, check out

Canadian Welding Bureau

8260 Parkhill Drive

Milton, ON L9T-5V7

905-693-6649

www.cwa-acs.org