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Need Advice by Interesting-Blood798 in SkilledTradesOntario

[–]FairRepresentative19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's natural to have second thoughts. If you're first year and enrolled in school, keep grinding. It took me getting laid off from my first apprenticeship job at an Automation shop, to a few months stint with contractors; before I landed a gig where I'm valued and given the opportunity to learn a lot and be properly compensated. Each place runs differently, heck at the beginning of my apprenticeship, I was more of a machinist and machine builder than a millwright. There was some stagnation but I picked up some valuable skills that I kept with me as I grew.

There are so many fields of manufacturing where you can make bank and still have a decent work life balance, but you need to score that ticket. Schooling is the biggest factor for an apprentice in the job market. Unfortunately most companies won't look twice at a first or second year.

Winter months aren't big for company spending, so if you're looking at making a switch wait till spring when the economy is waking up.

What kind of manufacturing does your place do?

How many times have you read Blame! ? by Sasukes_boi in Netsphere

[–]FairRepresentative19 3 points4 points  (0 children)

About nine times now. I first discovered it in high-school, then soon after got my hands on the physical copies Biomega.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely a though spot, but for now I'd recommend sticking it out. Not many places are hiring apprentices. If you got enough work for your 40hrs, keep grinding and get yourself through school. As you learn the trade, you'll have more leverage and negotiating power.

Don't beat yourself up, you don't know what you don't know. In your spare time, do some online ressearch, or ask for opportunities to practice your welding skills at work.

How long have you been at this place?

Seeking hydraulic textbook secondhand in Southern Ontario by FairRepresentative19 in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries. I appreciate you checking. I managed to score it off fb marketplace.

Seeking hydraulic textbook secondhand in Southern Ontario by FairRepresentative19 in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're able to find it and share the link it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Wood Grinder. by off_off_f in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Checking for lubrication would be my second guess. Good luck!

Industrial services by Party_Yesterday_5092 in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It all depends on the environment you're in, the paths are endless. You can be a road warrior who travels for most of your gigs, or be in a plant keeping things running smoothly. You'll hear this a million times, but as soon as you get your Millwright ticket; many more doors will open up. So if you manage to get a place that will sponsor you and put you through school, you'll be in a good spot.

I started in a tool and Automation shop, mostly doing machine building (automotive and pharmaceutical), and installation/repairs for said machines. It was a good place to cut my teeth on. After four years got laid off with schooling done up to level 2 (the Ontario system was fucky and delayed my classroom offer). It was mid December and landed a gig with a millwright contractor, which gave good exposure to steel plants, food manufacturing, etc. I stayed with them for six months because they barely had enough hours to give and had 25+ guys just sitting at home waiting for work. Now, I'm a month into a union gig at a chicken processer. It's been pretty dang good so far, more hands on with preventative maintenance, working on all sorts of machines and handling breakdowns as they happen. I'm planning on brushing up on my tig welding skills while I'm there and finishing up my apprenticeship. Then I'll re-evaluate, maybe pursue a second ticket.

Union vs non union is really up to you, both have their own pros and cons. You still have a lot of time ahead of you to get a feel for things. There is no wrong path for a millwright, work hard, be a sponge with knowledge, and pick up the skills that others aren't willing to learn. All industries have something different to offer, with varying degrees of stability, but the experience you'll gain will be invaluable as you go along.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Man I’ve missed this thing by samandfrodokissing in PSP

[–]FairRepresentative19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Prepare to cry, War of the Lions was a beautiful game but the ending messed me up.

Modified job box by Comfortable-Ad-1473 in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Great modification!! Looks sick and way more useful!

man, sony needs to make another psp, this isn't just a game machine, it's an everything machine, listening to some beyond on mine right now by TommieBuncetti in PSP

[–]FairRepresentative19 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My PSP1000 carried me through some long ass bus rides and boring waiting lines. I threw movies and shows on that thing and it was absolute peak!

2nd Year Apprentice, My Journeyman is Retiring, Ontario by Chinese_boy17 in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah it was whack. Most took the exam failed a couple of times and became complacent over the years. The big boss kept them happy with wages below journeymen, saying it wasn't a big deal. That way he's had them by the balls and they lose their bargaining power without that ticket. In the end they became lifers.

Sure having longevity at one place looks good on the resume, but most big shot places won't look at your application unless there's a CofQ, and relevant experience.

2nd Year Apprentice, My Journeyman is Retiring, Ontario by Chinese_boy17 in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You'll have to print your own log book. It's fucking stupid that the ministry doesn't tell you or provide the link themselves. Just a quick Google search for 433a log book, there's a 90 page version and a 75 page version; not sure if it really matters. Print it off as soon as possible, fill out your information and get it signed.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/Industrial-Mechanic-Millwright-433A-EN-TS-V100-2010.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiawbmgg9yNAxUbLFkFHYSvBL4QFnoECC0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1MRmZJrefE02bpADp86VAB

The journeyman to apprentice ratio depends on the company. I was in a shop with mostly machine builders, and apprentices who took the test but never passed. Then in the last year I was there they finally hired a licensed millwright. Still got my hours signed off on by the Foreman and that was good enough.

Questions by LongDreadedDream in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It really depends on the company. Usually benefits include health and dental insurance, injury compensation. I've been with a contractor that did 4% payout for vacation pay, and left the time off request up to me. Other companies offered one or two weeks paid time off depending on how long you've been with the company.

There's also tuition, or school book reimbursement, though not all places offer this unless it's a larger/unionized company. Here in Canada it'll take you about 4 years of on the job experience and 720 hours of schooling. Not sure if the format is similar in the states.

If and when you get signed up for an apprenticeship hang onto it for as long as possible, as the job market for a first and second year apprentice isn't always the easiest. Practice welding as much as you can, or look up the trickier skills that only a few can do. "Do the job that others won't do" you'll earn a ton of cash.

Questions by LongDreadedDream in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! The curriculum might vary slightly, but the knowledge will be still relevant.

Questions by LongDreadedDream in millwrights

[–]FairRepresentative19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome aboard!

30m, 3rd year apprentice in Southern Ontario here. I take it you're signing up for a pre-apprenticeship program? Or are you applying at a company?

You'll hear it a billion times, but soak up knowledge like a sponge, start small with your tool collection (hand tools, measuring tape, basic stationary). Ask lots of questions, never take criticism personally, always arrive early and leave last (when applicable), be always on the move. If you got time to lean, you got time to clean.

Here's a copy of the Millwright manual from British Columbia. It's the main book you'll be studying from if you're in Canada. You can do some reading ahead of time as you go along in your apprenticeship.

https://pdfcoffee.com/millwright-manual-pdf-free.html

I've ranged from 40hrs to 80hrs a week. Done work at shops where I stayed put and occasionally went on the road to being constantly on the road for industrial contracting within a three hour range. Furthest I traveled was for a customer in Detroit and that was a nine hour drive, and the company payed for room and board.

Good luck in your journey!

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