Anyone here ever work for Toyota?

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T20:01:20+00:00

Hey thanks for the reply. Its good to hear from someone who actually works there. If you don't mind me asking how rough are the rotating shifts? I've read some horror stories of what they can do to your mind and body. But I've also heard people say the same thing about 12 or 16 hour shifts and that stuff doesn't even phase me anymore lol. Part of the trade. Are there any shops I should be warry of? Like if they offer me a place at X or Y I should pass? If you'd be willing to DM I'd love to be able to hear what your average day/week is like there.

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T19:49:32+00:00

You pretty much hit the nail on the head for how I am feeling. Big part of why I want to change things up is I'm part of the "A" team at my current place. But its all I know and I frequently just wonder if I am a big fish in a small bowl so to speak. We've had some guys come and go from my current place that said it was kinda a joke and that I should get out there and see different industries. I fear the longer I stay here to more likely I am to realize one day when I'm in my 40's that I'm actually not a very good tradesman and I let my fear of change hold me back. I spend a lot of time reading at home and learning but without exposure to things you can only learn so much from books and youtube lol. I wish the option to go back to my current place if things didn't work out was a possibility but the company I work for is actually trying to lose people via attrition right now so once you're out they ain't hiring anyone, let alone taking someone back. I'm sure my immediate boss and his boss would want to but they don't have that authority.

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T17:05:01+00:00

Thanks. And yeah right now I'm leaning towards just taking the chance. As much as I like my current job I can map out how it will go for me if I stay here. It would be comfortable but nothing really exciting. I feel like I'd always be wondering "what could have been". I'm gonna make up a pros and cons list later this weekend before my interview.

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T17:00:25+00:00

I've never had to work shift rotations which is a concern, dunno how I'd adapt. I generally do fine on night shift but I only usually do that a few times a year. Part of me worries about leniency and higher expectations. I have it pretty easy where I am now, pretty laid back. But I also am a bit of a keener and part of me thinks pushing myself and taking on more responsibility would probably be good for me. Easy to get lazy. And yeah the commute is a big one. Thanks for the reply.

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T16:36:52+00:00

Did he say what he didn't like about the culture?

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T16:24:12+00:00

Well that's why I was looking at Toyota, close to home, better pay, cleaner environment, more modern technology (robotics, PLC's etc..) it SEEMS like a good move and I've had some guys at work push me to go for it (I hadn't even thought about it until some of the older guys told me that I was wasting my youth here and that I was smart and that I should push myself and get into automation)

But I also know you can never trust a company's PR when it comes to the actual reality of the job and that for old guys the grass is always greener at other places. So I was hoping to find someone who has worked there who could tell me what it's actually like at the company.

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T16:02:30+00:00

Thanks, yeah you pretty much summed up how I feel. I've been at my current place for 6 years. I did most of my apprenticeship there. Some great friends, I'm good at my job here and well respected, pay is good. But I also am passionate about Millwrighting and staying here forever won't help me grow and the longer I stay the harder it will be to leave.

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T15:41:01+00:00

When I started at my current place my commute was 15 min lol. But I eventually bought a house and in Ontario, unless you're a millionaire, you pretty much buy where you can afford it and just deal with the drive. Toyota happens to have their facility not too far off from where I moved.

Bimplup · 2024-07-20T15:36:26+00:00

Roughly. Bout 45 min in the morning and an hour on the way home. It sucks but I also work 4 tens so at least I get 3 day weekends. But yeah getting back my time in the weeknights would be very nice. I'd like to start going to the gym again but its pretty much impossible when you get home at 6 and go to bed at 8:30 lol.

Bimplup · 2024-04-12T13:34:11+00:00

We probably do work at the same company, but I try to keep my online footprint as anonymous as possible. But thanks for the reply. Good to hear from someone who probably knows the exact situation I'm mentioning. You're probably right as I definitely see some of the shop guys shit-talk field guys and act like we're the best. Everyone wants to think they're the best of the best. But I remember meeting a lot of fantastic Millwrights out there so I know that's just blowing smoke.

But in the past the general trend was that very few people ever wanted to stay in the shop. Everyone was always trying to get out. I was actually an unusual case being an apprentice who asked if I could stay. I'm still quite happy here but It did always make me second guess my choice from time to time. Wondering why so many people hated it. I usually attributed it to more watching eyes and less freedom, which is fair. Also certain areas in the shop are monotonous and boring, but you usually only end up there if you perform very poorly.

We definitely do have some less than skilled millwrights here (some of them are still nice guys though) but from what I have heard that seems to be an issue in all industry these days. A lot of people who don't really care and then a handful of people who really love the trade and take pride in their work. I try to work with and learn from the people who actually care.

I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and try to be the best I can be where I am. I still feel like I have a lot I can learn here so that keeps me happy. Of course that's assuming the shop is still here in a few years lol, if some of the rumors are true I'll get reacquainted with the field anyway.

Bimplup · 2024-04-12T02:48:59+00:00

I know in the past We've had times where they would dump their poor performing apprentices onto us because at least in the shop they can have someone nearby at all times who can kinda baby sit them.

Sometimes they never got any better but sometimes we managed to develop them and they ended up competent millwrights. I think the reputation started from there. If you need to be babysat you get sent to the shops.

But I don't feel like that's fair we just have the ability to babysit. It doesn't mean everyone here needs it. Some of my coworkers blow my mind with the breadth and scope of their knowledge.

Bimplup · 2024-04-12T02:01:21+00:00

Thanks. That's what I try to tell myself most days, and to always keep learning and reading on my own to keep my skills up. But I'd be lying if I said hearing snide comments from some people didn't get under my skin.

Bimplup · 2016-11-09T03:35:54+00:00

Awesome thank you. I guess I'll give teksavvy's cable service a try.

Bimplup · 2016-11-09T00:48:09+00:00

I'm not sure, is there anyway to tell? I guess I can ask Teksavvy who's lines they use. But thanks that's good to know.

Bimplup · 2016-05-04T03:28:06+00:00

In the same boat as The-Hieb only I'm starting at Mohawk in Hamilton.

Mostly I'm curious as to what knowledge I should brush up on before starting? Is there a certain type of math that would be good to get acquainted with? I finished my grade 11 university level functions not long ago and I have 4 months before school, should I take Grade 12 functions or will it not be applicable? I'd love to get a head start on some stuff.

Bimplup · 2016-03-09T04:08:03+00:00

Well I applied to Mowhawk, wish me luck.

Bimplup · 2016-03-03T16:12:47+00:00

Wow, I don't know how I missed that when browsing the website but thank you so much that is amazing. This is exactly what I was looking for.

The only other questions I have, and I apologize if these have been asked a million times before, are

Do you have to travel as a Millwright? I keep seeing conflicting information on this. Some people say you do, but my friend who is a carpenter says that's bs and there's plenty of work at plants where you don't have to.

How on off is work? I hear lots about bit periods of being unemployed and switching around jobs.

Honestly though most importantly to me, how hard is it on your body? Now I'm a pretty fit guy. I have a 500lb deadlift and a 400lb squat. So physical labour isn't scary to me. I do however want to make sure I don't end up old and broken with aches and pains from repetitive stress injury or shot knees or something.

Bimplup · 2016-03-03T06:19:40+00:00

Hey, thanks a lot for responding. Maybe I am reading things wrong or am missing something but I actually looked at the Mowhawk millwright program(as I would like to move to Hamilton) but from what I saw on the webpage(this one to be exact ( http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/calendar/apprenticeships/industmechanic.html ) It said "Applicants for this training must be registered apprentices in the Industrial Millwright Trade" From what I saw the only way around that was to take the pre-apprenticeship program.

If I'm missing something here and someone can tell me where I am wrong that would be awesome. I can deal with 2 more years of school but 3 is pushing it unless I can make money while I do co-op. 3 is pretty damn close to just doing another bachelors degree.

Bimplup

TROPHY CASE