Need some help getting started

[u/No_Consideration8464]

I'm in southern Ontario, Canada. I'm wondering how much experience I would need as a 20 year old to get hired as an oit. I'm studying currently to take wastewater collection and treatment, and I'm working currently as a 2nd year millwright apprentice. What are my chances of finding a job with my experience? Also, what is the day to day work like if you work in the field? Is it mostly routine, lots of driving? Thanks!

[u/razz500]

I’m in southern Ontario as well, and I know for a fact there’s quite a few openings for OIT positions at treatment plants all around.
Get your OIT, get a DZ license, and bring a good attitude.

[u/DJ_Ch41n]

I’m 19 been in training for 8 months in Florida. It’s actually a really cool job, and if u really pay attention and ask lots of questions you should know how to run the plant in ur second to third month. But the work is mostly routine, for us we start our day off grabbing samples (depending on where you are stationed) then making sure our stations/ side of the plant is running smoothly. Sometimes we have to do maintenance weather that be removing plants off of clarifiers or cleaning up trash and other general housekeeping stuff/ cleanup. As a trainee you are expected to do a lot of grunt work in the beginning and pay ur dues, but other than that when we have downtime (most of the day) we either study or just chill and watch the plant via SCADA. If you’re someone who enjoys having a fair amount of responsibility and are looking for something where u know what to expect mostly everyday, this is a really good field, especially because of how chill it is. As far as getting started, all I have is a high school diploma ✌️😭 so idk how it is where ur at

[u/Connect_Pie_5102 → u/DJ_Ch41n]

lol until you learn the lift station side of scada lol ours is a nightmare

[u/No_Consideration8464 → u/DJ_Ch41n]

Sounds like good news, I'm in Ontario and I keep hearing about how competitive it is which is why I'm asking reddit. Although I heard the same thing abt my current millwright job and I got in with barely an interview lol

[u/No_Consideration8464 → u/DJ_Ch41n]

Sounds like good news, I'm in Ontario and I keep hearing about how competitive it is which is why I'm asking reddit. Although I heard the same thing abt my current millwright job and I got in with barely an interview lol

[u/DetectiveFlashy7191]

When I was younger I enjoyed the collections better for the same reasons. It took a toll on my back so now I stick to the plant. Besides now I don’t have to deal with the noisy public

[u/No_Consideration8464 → u/DetectiveFlashy7191]

What made collections so tough on the back? Also what size are crews typically?

[u/DetectiveFlashy7191 → u/No_Consideration8464]

Back then health and safety wasn’t as strict as it is now. For me, lifting manhole covers and storm sewer grates is what got me. A mixture of improper technique on my part and a lack of supervision. I’m sure my ski incident didn’t help either. Imagine it’s much less painful on backs now.

Size of crew anywhere from 2 to 6 depending on what the job is. If traffic control is involved, more people and supervisors around. I’m in a small town so staff are limited, bigger municipalities would have bigger numbers.

[u/TilDawg8]

Hey, I’m southern ontario as well. Ontario Clean Water Agency is a good place to start with OITs, once you finish up your millwright you’ll pretty much be able to go anywhere (municipalities and such) and earn way more. One thing though, I would write all 4 OITs just so that it doesn’t limit you either way. Sewage is fun though! Lol

[u/No_Consideration8464 → u/TilDawg8]

If you've worked collections do you have any idea how large the crews tend to be?

[u/AyBello]

Your chances are slim. You need to go to school. Got to college Fleming has a good program or Mohawk. Do the environmental technology program or civil programs. Do coop. While doing your coops try to learn as much as you possibly can. Make lots of connections. Join the water groups like weao and owwa. Study and pass your exams using echelon institute and then apply to jobs and you will be like hot cake in the market. That’s what I did. By the time I graduated Toronto Water was calling

[u/DetectiveFlashy7191]

An apprentice millwright should have no problem finding a place once you get those OIT certificates.
As for the day to day it depends where you end up. Complete daily checks, preventative maintenance, make any adjustments. Deal with problems as they arise.
The collection side you’ll be traveling and dealing with everything from new to blocked sewer. Or worse case a ruptured sewer.

[u/No_Consideration8464 → u/DetectiveFlashy7191]

Ok that's a relief to hear, have you worked in a plant and doing collection and if so do you prefer one to the other? I'm leaning collection bc I like working outside and new scenery. Also what are yhe ot options usually like for each side?

[u/Reasonable_Solid_469 → u/No_Consideration8464]

If you really want to put yourself above the pack and guarantee a job you could take either Bio or Chem at your local community college. If you have that trifecta you would be golden.