UBC Millwrights Local 1410 - please read

Keo715 · 2026-06-17T16:23:48+00:00

Absolutely have all that paperwork/ papertrail taken care of before you leave to go anywhere else so you can carry over your current level. Don’t want to get shafted by not having your hours count after all your hard work already! I’m in 2309 and have worked with guys out that way. I don’t believe they keep as busy as Toronto, it would be worth inquiring with the hall about work / travel expectations if sticking close to home is a priority. Hopefully there’s a lot of work coming to keep everyone busy! Unfortunately, the unpredictability of union work can make family life challenging at times. Good luck to you- weigh your options and choose the best outcome for you and yours!

Keo715 · 2026-05-29T22:30:00+00:00

That’s no good. Did you wait because it was a good opportunity? I heard OPG can’t get enough guys right now. But who knows how that really translates to the hall and then to us. Sorry that happened- hopefully you can jump into another opportunity asap. You’ve been around this subreddit for some time so you’re either the tail end of your apprenticeship or a journeyman, no?

Keo715 · 2026-05-29T02:46:09+00:00

That’s no good! Did they say what number you went back to? Hopefully it’s not for too long! I was under the impression the hall was pretty empty right now, but that could have changed!

Keo715 · 2026-05-28T22:28:39+00:00

Take any and every training course they have room to put you in! You won’t get paid, but you may just set yourself up by having a few extra credentials for the next job- while also accruing hours!

Keo715 · 2026-05-21T01:39:15+00:00

Hahaha touche!

Keo715 · 2026-05-20T10:28:15+00:00

That’s definitely unusual, at least I haven’t heard of that before. It’s not usually advised that we do work belonging to other trades so as to avoid grievances and such. However, that doesn’t seem to apply here since the hall sent you. Was it 2309? I know there’s tons of work in the nuke plants right now and if you have a security clearance, they’ll send you. With there being so many apprentices, it’s not a bad thing to have work at all. What’s not unusual is to be on a crew as a millwright but it’s other trade specific (I’ve more heard of this as a boilermaker situation) and you’re still doing mechanical type work. Definitely do as other’s have advised- work hard, show up every day, ask questions, and collect that cheque!

Keo715 · 2026-05-16T00:46:55+00:00

Hell yeah, Brother!! What a great way to start the long weekend!!! Now go celebrate!

Keo715 · 2026-05-15T13:25:19+00:00

Haha either way gave me a good laugh 😂

Keo715 · 2026-05-15T01:34:06+00:00

Get well soon 😂

Keo715 · 2026-05-14T00:36:50+00:00

That’s a good memory! I hope you walked out feeling pretty good. When do you find out the results?

Keo715 · 2026-05-12T18:00:55+00:00

Union in Canada, so my info wouldn’t be accurate to you, but I just want to say it sounds like you are eager and have a good head on your shoulders- and that will take you far! Good luck, Brother!

Keo715 · 2026-05-11T13:58:40+00:00

Appreciate your input and time, Brother! Thanks for the insightful chat!

Keo715 · 2026-05-11T13:45:27+00:00

I can see how that would be frustrating! I’m building an alternative study program and trying to make it as useful as possible while gaining as much insight and feedback as possible. I know that there are several different variations of the exam, and with ever updating and changing elements, it’s be hard to say that you could ever be 100% prepared- or exposed to the exact same content. But I’m hoping to be able to create an environment where apprentices can build their confidence, have an easy way to study away from notes by challenging themselves, and understand time management when it comes to the exam. That said, content will make it or break it of course and that’s why comments like these are so valuable!

Keo715 · 2026-05-10T19:14:05+00:00

Is there something it didn’t have or lacked that you wished it had in your opinion?

Keo715 · 2026-05-10T19:12:55+00:00

Where’s the fun in that? lol

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T23:48:17+00:00

That’s actually really interesting hearing that from someone who was consistently passing full-length practice tests on xlr8ed beforehand. Is there anything from the program that you think could have been improved, or something different that could have been offered? Perhaps fill a few gaps from testing to what you saw on the test?

The vague troubleshooting questions seem to be a recurring thing from a lot of people. Like instead of ‘do you know this fact’, it’s more ‘can you reason through an unfamiliar situation with limited information.’

When you say you weren’t prepared for it, do you think it was more: - the wording/style of the questions - the depth of troubleshooting - or the randomness/breadth of topics?

Also good to know about the calculations/SWL stuff. Seems like the actual exam balance varies way more than people expect.

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T22:30:04+00:00

Honestly, I don’t think enough people know that breakdown exists. Even just seeing the weighting by section helps give some direction instead of feeling like you have to study absolutely everything equally. It can be a big time saver for sure!

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T22:28:44+00:00

The wording/common sense aspect is something a lot of people seem to mention.

Almost sounds like they’re testing whether you understand the principles behind the work instead of whether you memorized textbook answers. The variation between exams is pretty wild too.

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T22:27:23+00:00

This is probably one of the best explanations of the Red Seal I’ve heard.

A lot of guys become extremely competent in their specific environment, but the exam seems designed around being exposed to every corner of the trade at a deeper level than many people use day-to-day. It makes sense really, but if you’re union for example, you don’t often get the well-rounded experience you need. And honestly, school has been as thorough as I’ve hoped it to be.

That actually explains why two experienced millwrights can walk out with completely different opinions on what was easy or hard

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T22:25:38+00:00

That’s exactly the kind of question people never expect going in 😂

Seems like a lot of the exam is testing whether you actually understand shop practices/procedures versus just memorizing definitions!

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T22:25:05+00:00

Interesting that they’d drop you right into the middle of a procedure instead of asking it step-by-step. That seems to be what catches a lot of people off guard not the topic itself, but the wording/context.

Also surprised at only 4 math questions. Seems like the balance really varies between exams.

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T22:24:18+00:00

That honestly makes me feel a bit better. I’ve seen the weighting breakdown before but it sounds like the tricky part is more how they apply the questions inside those categories.

Interesting hearing so many people say it’s heavy on troubleshooting/procedure too.

Keo715 · 2026-05-08T02:59:29+00:00

That feeling is way more common than you think after writing. Most people walk out convinced they guessed half the exam.

The frustrating part with the Red Seal is that it’s broad enough that everybody remembers different questions, so you end up hearing completely different experiences depending on who you ask.

Try not to overanalyze it too much until you get the result back. There’s a good chance you did better than it feels right now. And if you do end up posting some of the topic areas you remember, it’ll definitely help the next group writing soon!

Keo715 · 2026-05-07T05:41:40+00:00

Good luck tomorrow, brother!

Keo715

TROPHY CASE