How To Become A Millwright and Find the Best Opportunities in the Field
If you like the idea of working with industrial machinery, becoming a millwright may be a great option to consider. Because they help keep industry rolling, millwright shutdown jobs stay steady; even during the worst of the COVID-19 epidemic, most millwrights kept working. Millwrights may travel extensively to different job sites across several states, which makes millwright jobs with per diem expense coverage a great option. However, there are also some millwright jobs that only work within a certain distance of larger metropolitan areas. Let's look at how to become a millwright and where to find the best jobs once you've become one.
How To Become A Millwright
To become a millwright, you'll need to learn how to use a wide range of tools, read extensive blueprints and schematics, gain an understanding of how hydraulic and pneumatic systems work and be willing to look at the big picture in terms of how all the machinery you're putting together will work with each other. It's also helpful, but not necessarily required, to be able to weld, to have a CDL for driving large cranes or move heavy equipment, as well as be able to handle a lot of that equipment, such as cranes, forklifts for unloading equipment and similar machinery.
Some trade schools offer training in becoming a millwright, which provides you with an opportunity to learn these things, as well as the possibility of an internship that will provide you with on-the-job training and a reference when you enter the work force. However, that's not the only way to enter the millwright industry. If you've gained similar experience in other industries, such as construction or maintenance, you may be able to switch over to working as a millwright contractor. There's also an opportunity to get into a millwright apprenticeship to gain the knowledge and experience that you need to get started.
Millwrights often combine a wide range of knowledge when working on a job site, as they often have to switch tasks to complete a project. Common certifications for millwright work include:
- NCCER Certification
- Welding Certification
- Journeyman License
- Driver's License
- MSHA Certification
- OSHA 10 & 30
- Class D License
- Crane Certification
- TWIC Card
- Forklift Certification
- Commercial Driver's License
The millwright career field is expected to continue to grow at about average speeds. However, given the move towards digital transformation across so many industries, having some computer skills, knowledge of how computerized systems function in general and even some basic programming may be helpful to advance your career in the future.
Millwright Jobs And Where To Find Them
That being said, millwright jobs are available in a wide range of different options, from assembly and installation to regular maintenance. What kind of millwright job are you interested in pursuing? Though you may need to be more flexible when you first start, there is a range of different types of millwright jobs available across the country. You'll also find a wide range of industries needing millwrights.
What Type of Millwright Jobs Are Out There?
There are several types of work that millwrights can undertake, including completing many tasks in several areas of strong industrial demand:
- Assembly: Put together equipment covering a range of different applications to help industry move forward.
- Installation: Make sure that all the specifications are met, so the equipment operates properly.
- Repair: When something goes wrong, you can help get everything back to specs for continued operation.
- Maintenance: Those big machines need care, something you'll be well-qualified to handle.
- Overhaul/Upgrade: When equipment wears out or isn't performing to specs, help update it.
However, beyond the different types, there are also many industries in which millwrights are employed every day, providing you with many additional options to consider:
- Automotive
- Metalworking
- Factory Manufacturing
- Renewable Energy
- Oil, Gas and Petroleum
- Transportation
- Nuclear Energy
- Pharmaceutical
- Food Production and Processing
- Agriculture
- Logistics
Where To Find Millwright Jobs
Millwright jobs can be found all over the country, whether in large urban areas or small rural communities. They can be found in mining areas, agricultural regions, in industrial centers and manufacturing facilities. Because of this diversity, you have some flexibility in where you'll work. Would you rather travel extensively building grain silos on train routes? Do you prefer working in strong industrial areas keeping machinery operating? The choice is yours.
That being said, you may want to look at regions that are seeing strong growth to ensure that you'll have solid job prospects for many years into the future. This provides you with job security during somewhat uncertain times and options should a particular job not work out well for you. Working with a staffing service is a great way to make sure you can get into a job quickly without spending a lot of time pounding the pavement and filling out applications.
In Conclusion
Millwright jobs provide you with a great deal of diversity in terms of job type and industry, while allowing you to use your engineering and logical skills on a daily basis. You'll be able to help solve complex problems, handle industrial equipment and have a great time doing it. You can find jobs that keep you close to home with your family and friends, or wander further afield with millwright jobs with per diem reimbursement or coverage, allowing you to see the country.
If you're ready to get started in the millwright industry, we can help. Whether you've got similar related skills already or are looking for a millwright apprentice position, our staffing services can help you find a great job. Please feel free to reach out to Elite Force today with any questions, for more details or to find out what kind of millwright jobs with per diem we have available in your area.
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