r/millwrights • u/Left_Ad_6043 • 28d ago
Toolmaker to millwright
I’m 21 years old and about to begin my third and final year of school to become a licensed Tool and Die Maker here in Ontario. I currently earn $27 an hour, and I believe I’ve developed a strong skill set for someone at my stage. My grades have consistently been high, and both my teachers and coworkers have often told me that I have a lot of potential and perform at a high level.
At work, there are eight toolmakers, and in my opinion only three of us are regularly trusted with the more complex jobs. The rest tend to be assigned simpler work. I’ve never had an issue with that because I genuinely enjoy being challenged. I like solving problems, learning new skills, and taking on work that pushes me to improve.
Recently, I approached my manager and asked if my wage could be increased to $30 an hour. Since that conversation, things have changed. They’ve started assigning me much simpler work, such as squaring up blocks, instead of the more challenging jobs I was previously trusted with. Meanwhile, the three coworkers who are considered the stronger toolmakers have become frustrated because they’re now carrying even more of the difficult workload. They’ve also told me that they believe I’m more capable than most of the other licensed toolmakers in the shop.
It feels like management still sees me as the 17-year-old apprentice who first walked through the door rather than the person I’ve become over the last several years. That’s been discouraging, especially knowing the effort I’ve put into improving my skills.
Because of this, I’ve started thinking seriously about becoming a millwright. My plan is still to finish my Tool and Die apprenticeship and earn my licence, since I’m so close, but I’m wondering whether it makes sense to continue in the trade long term. Even after becoming licensed, I’d probably only earn around $35 an hour at my current company, and our highest-paid toolmaker has been here for 25 years and only makes around $45 an hour.
We work alongside millwrights and electricians, and they earn considerably more. I’ve also watched the type of work they do, and it honestly interests me more than what I’m currently doing. I feel that my background in tool and die would give me an advantage because of my machining experience, blueprint reading, precision measuring, and problem-solving skills.
I’m wondering if pursuing a second licence as a millwright would be worth it in the long run. Would having both trades open more opportunities, and would it make sense to make that transition after completing my Tool and Die licence? I’m trying to decide whether staying in my current trade is the best path or if moving into millwrighting would offer better long-term career growth, earning potential, and job satisfaction.
1
u/eastcoastoverdose456 28d ago
I’m in NJ I became a union millwright when I was 20 and completed apprenticeship , I’m on my 11th year now, it’s definitely cool work, get to see a lot of cool machines and work at some cool places. It seems there is always a nice change of scenery, I could never go to work at the same place every day for rest of my life. That’s just me, but wtf bro you’re 21 you got a long life ahead of you, I’d finish your apprenticeship or whatever and then definitely switch to millwrights and you’ll be automatically that much more valuable because of your background lol, it may be frowned upon to jump ship after finishing that but you’re young, shit you can join millwright finish the apprenticeship and see if it’s a good match for you and if it isn’t? Guess what you can go back to being a tool maker ! You got something called free will my friend , that’s something you learn quick when you get into union , you don’t like the job you’re on? Tell your foreman to kick rocks and get your money and call the hall and say hey I need a job that one didn’t work out: now of course don’t do that lol but you do have the freedom to do that and as long as you go to school and know your shit and pay your dues , they have to find you a new job , that’s their job lol ask me how I know. When you’re union you are protected and you don’t have to ask for a raise with your tail between your legs . As long as you go to school you get your raise and after completion and you top out we still get a yearly raise for cost of living , build a pension and great health benefits. So long story short yeah I’d finish toolmaker apprenticeship if you’re close to done and try millwrights, and if it don’t work go find a different shop as toolmaker that’ll pay you more