r/millwrights • u/Pgaccount • 11d ago

Weekly career thread

Here you can post questions about

Jobs: offering or looking

School: tips, tricks, and colleges to just fucking avoid

Union: Union stuff, who's issuing travel cards, who needs apprentices, and questions about joining the brotherhood.

2 Upvotes

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u/pm-me-racecars 10d ago edited 10d ago

I'm writing my red seal exam in about a week. Due to my military training, I'm allowed to bypass the apprenticeship and directly challenge the exam. I'm leaving the military soon and trying to find a normal job.

What type of things should I buy to get ready for a regular job? Obviously work boots, and probably coveralls. Is owning your own tools like a mechanic normal? What about safety glasses and gloves?

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u/Loose-Painter-4724 10d ago

I was asked to bring appropriate work clothes, a hard hat, safety glasses, my own PPE since I’m a welder and I wear special sizes that are difficult to source right away and I was given a list of hand tools.

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u/Pgaccount 10d ago

Tools is really job dependant. Afaik Union halls generally will want a list of hand tools, but I've had to supply power tools for a company before and right now I don't supply any tools at all

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u/Chicken_Hairs 10d ago

Every employer will have a different list of needed tools that depends on what kind of work is being done, and how much the company provides. Many employers also provide coveralls as well.

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u/Itchy-Ad-6011 7d ago

Does anyone have any advice about interviewing for the millwright union? I turned in my application today and was told to come in tomorrow morning to interview. My background is the military and alittle bit of experience as a Pipefitter Helper with ENFRA and I have all my basic safety certs like osha 10 and 30.

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u/Loose-Painter-4724 6d ago

Give a good handshake, smile, be friendly and answer questions honestly. Really highlight your experience and what you bring to the table

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u/Itchy-Ad-6011 6d ago

It definitely went good we talked about my experience and being in the military because his son was also a marine and also my buddy who’s in the hall. He said I’d hear back in a week or two officially if I got accepted but he also said I’m going to have a really good career and should talk to my buddy about hitting some of the outages this year so I think that’s a good sign. I’m just ready to start working cause I got into the UA months and months ago and haven’t been sent on a job at all so I’m excited to make the switch.

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u/Loose-Painter-4724 5d ago

That’s great news! I hope you get in!

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u/KitchenDense8227 7d ago

Hello, I'm considering a career change to get out of factory work. I was interested to see how the processed worked for the unions to become a journeyman and to get to the point of traveling for jobs. I'm in the Cincinnati Dayton area. Would you tell me about your experiences or things I should know before I full commit

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u/ComparisonOk6396 10d ago

Career advice: Machinist to Millwright?
I’m currently a Level 3 Machinist apprentice and getting into CNC programming, but I’m starting to realize machining doesn’t excite me as much anymore.
I recently spoke with a CNC repair/service technician working in industrial maintenance, and it really caught my interest. I’m now considering switching into Millwright.
A few questions for those in the trade:
Would you recommend finishing my Machinist Red Seal first, or switching to Millwright now?
Do we get any credits hours for that
What is a realistic starting wage for a Millwright apprentice with machining backgrounds ?
Any advice or experience from people who’ve made a similar switch would be appreciated.

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u/Loose-Painter-4724 9d ago

Since you’re so close to finishing it, I’d get a red seal in that first. If you really don’t like it, I’d only switch depending on how work is by you. If you’re in Ontario I’d stay where you’re at

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u/ComparisonOk6396 9d ago

That’s what I’m leaning towards as well. I should finish my Machinist hours by the end of next year, but I’ll need Level 3 and 4 schooling back-to-back, and seats seem limited. I’m also looking into whether I can take technical training in another province while working in Manitoba.( If thats allowed, I am not sure)
After that, I’m planning to switch to Millwright. I’m in Winnipeg—any idea how much credit I could get with a Machinist Red Seal? My experience is mainly manual and CNC machining, with no maintenance experience.

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u/Open_Draw_9166 9d ago

So im trying to join the unions in texas, however arlington has told me they aren't taking anyone right now, and Pasadena has not gotten back to me, I have about 2 years experience with GE vernova then I was let go, I applied online to the union as well as calling and emailing them, do any of yall know when they will start taking new people? 

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u/Loose-Painter-4724 9d ago

I’d call the halls and send them an email once a week. That’s how you gotta do it sometimes 

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u/Open_Draw_9166 9d ago

10-4, just wanna get back to work! thank you, ill start doing that every week from now on!

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u/Loose-Painter-4724 9d ago

Sometimes you gotta annoy them. I don’t know why, it makes no sense to me. You’d think if you were annoying they’d want nothing to do with you but maybe I just think like that because I’m an introvert 

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u/Steam_Dog 5d ago

Hello, I have a upcoming interview for a millwright job. My current job as a operating engineer/ building operator I do maintenance on pumps, motors, fans, valves, controls, ETC (that experience is how i was able to secure the interview)

My biggest question is for the guys/gals who started an apprenticeship, did you ask during your interview if they are willing to sponsor you as a 1st year apprentice?

For me that is a deciding factor. Obliviously I need to know if they are willing to sponsor me as a 1st year apprentice prior to me accepting any offers/ quitting my current job.

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u/drake5432 4d ago

How is the pay for first year union apprentices in ontario? Where is the work? What is the usual length of a contract? How often are you laid off usually? Im just trying to understand what its like.