A millwright is a high-precision craftsman or skilled tradesman who installs, dismantles, maintains, repairs, reassembles, and moves machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.
What kind of job does a millwright do?
Millwrights install, maintain, repair and troubleshoot stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment in sites such as factories, production plants and recreational facilities.
What Does a Millwright Do
Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.
Millwright Certification, Degree and Training Program Summaries
Essential Information
| Program Levels | Certificate programs or paid apprenticeships |
| Field(s) of Study | Millwright training |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Program Length | 2 years for certificate programs; 4 years for paid apprenticeships |
| Job Outlook (2018-2028) | 9% growth (for millwrights)* |
| Median Annual Salary (2018) | R 832127.18for millwrights)* |
Apprenticeship Programs
As with certificate programs, applicants must have a high school diploma and transcripts and be able to perform regular manual labor. Prerequisites for apprenticeships vary from employer to employer. Apprenticeships typically take four years and are completed in workplace settings. Apprenticeships in this field are sponsored by industries.
Students who pursue this track are paid while they receive on-the-job instruction. Millwrights receive much of their instruction in on-the-job or laboratory settings. Additional specific classroom instruction may cover theoretical topics that help potential millwrights to understand relevant machinery and tasks. Courses may cover the following topics:
Blueprint reading
Hydraulics
Mill maintenance
Occupational job searching
Trade/industrial math
Welding
Career Outlook and Salary Info
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects that the total employment for millwrights will grow 9% from 2018 to 2028 (www.bls.gov). In May 2018, the BLS stated that the median annual wage for all millwrights was $55,060. At that time, leading employers of millwrights included building contractors, paper mills, and wood product manufacturers.
Millwrights may be promoted to supervisory or team leadership positions. Promotion is usually contingent on experience and the completion of additional coursework, according to the BLS.
TOP SKILLS FOR A MILLWRIGHT
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we’ve found all of the skills you’ll need so even if you don’t have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on.
Out of all the resumes we looked through, 16.3% of millwrights listed hand tools on their resume, but soft skills such as mechanical skills and troubleshooting skills are important as well.
MILLWRIGHT CAREER PATHS
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you’ve taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a millwright can determine their career goals through the career progression.
For example, they could start out with a role such as maintenance supervisor, progress to a title such as supervisor and then eventually end up with the title general superintendent.
What qualifications do you need to become a millwright?
Most employers require their millwrights to have at least a Matric and some millwright course in their resumes. Besides these important attributes, a millwright has to prove exceptional interpersonal skills. Working on construction sites requires clear communication and precise interpretation of job delegations.
How long does it take to become a millwright in South Africa?
Total duration of institutional training required for knowledge and practical skills modules is twelve months.
How do I become a millwright in South Africa?
Where can I study?
National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Engineering Drawing) (SAQA ID 67109)
National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Engineering Drawing) (SAQA ID 67375)
National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Engineering Drawing) (SAQA ID 67491)
Where can I study to become a millwright in South Africa?
Colleges and Universities Offering Certificate in Millwright in South Africa
Mopani South TVET College, Namakgale.
Ekurhuleni Tech College, Krugersdorp.
Colliery Training College, Mpumalanga.
TEKmation Training Institute, Cape Town.
Technicon S.A, Bronkhorstspruit.
How much does a qualified millwright earn in South Africa?
The average salary for a Millwright in SA is R 25 567 gross per month (R 147,50 gross per hour), which is 9% higher than the South Africa’s national average salary. Salary Range: a Millwright can expect an average starting salary of R 11 913. The highest salaries can exceed R 38 433.
Are millwrights in demand in South Africa?
Millwrights, toolmakers and boilermakers are among the most in demand trades. This is according to a list compiled by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in collaboration with Swiss-South African Cooperation Initiative.
Is millwright a dying trade?
The Millwrights is certainly a dying trade. Not many people are even aware of this “Jack of all Trades” profession. Industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance has twice the National fatality rate per R 1511309.81 in the South Africa.
Is millwright a good career?
Becoming a professional millwright means joining one of the oldest and most respected trades in the world. If you like working with machines, precision instruments, and tools, and have a keen eye for perfect assemblies, then you have the basic skills to build a stable career for a lifetime.
What does a millwright do in South Africa?
Millwrights are responsible for installing and maintaining machinery which is used in multiple industries. This job requires carrying out heavy construction work, so the ability to perform physical labor, such as carrying heavy items and operating hand and power tools, is essential.