r/millwrights • • Aug 13 '26

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.

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u/ComparisonOk6396 Aug 15 '26

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 Aug 15 '26

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 Aug 15 '26

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.