Millwrights install, maintain, and repair stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. Millwrights work in manufacturing plants, utilities and other industrial establishments. For this study, four millwrights were interviewed from four food facilities: a commercial bakery, a meat processing plant; a crop-based processing plant and a specialty food producer.

• problem solving skills.
• job task planning and organizing.
• numeracy.

The typical text reading tasks of millwrights are at Complexity Levels 1 and 2. Their most complex text reading tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

Millwrights:

• read notes from co-workers on a previous shift to find out work left undone or problems that have arisen and require attention. (1)
• read safety bulletins that alert and remind workers of safe work practices and housekeeping issues. (1)
• read bulletin board information containing company announcements. (1)
• read lengthy memos about company policies and changes to policies, such as benefits. (2)
• read newsletters describing company events. (2)
• may read ISO 9000 information. (3)
• read manuals about equipment such as compressors to learn or to refresh memory about procedures. (3)
• may read trade magazines about new equipment or ways of repairing and maintaining equipment. (3)

The typical document reading tasks of Millwrights are at Complexity Levels 1 to 3. Their most complex document reading tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

Millwrights:

• read labels on lubricant and cleaning materials to obtain instructions for use and precautions. (1)
• read schematics that detail the operation of a piece of equipment. (2)
• read assembly drawings for machines such as the germination fan. (2)
• may interpret scale drawings such as blueprints. (3)

Millwrights:

• fill out standard work orders.
• create periodic work and production schedules.
• may draw diagrams, for example to display machinery parts and operations, or to show how to fabricate a part.
• may create or assist others in creating preventative maintenance schedules, for example, filter replacement and lubrication scheduling.

Millwrights:

• read signs, labels or lists.
• complete forms by marking check boxes, recording numerical information or entering words, phrases, sentences or texts of less than a paragraph.
• read completed forms containing check boxes, numerical entries, phrases, addresses, sentences or texts of less than a paragraph.
• read tables, schedules or other table-like text.
• create tables, schedules or other table-like text.
• enter information on tables, schedules or other table-like text.
• recognize common angles such as 15⁰, 30⁰, 45⁰ and 90⁰.
• draw, sketch or form common forms and figures, such as circles, triangles, spheres, rectangles, squares, etc.
• interpret scale drawings.
• take measurements from scale drawings.
• read assembly drawings.
• read schematic drawings.
• make sketches.
• obtain information from sketches, pictures, or icons.

The typical writing tasks of millwrights are at Complexity Levels 1 and 2. Their most complex writing tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

Millwrights:

• write notes to co-workers on next shift to convey information about equipment maintenance tasks or problems. (1)
• keep a log of equipment history for the purpose of predictingproblems and estimating equipment lifespan, for example of bearings, seals, and gears. (1)
• create or revise procedures for equipment adjustment or repair, for example write instructions for rebuilding a compressor. (2)
• may write memos to supervisors to recommend and justify equipment purchases and replacements. (3)

The numeracy tasks of millwrights involve:

• scheduling or budgeting and accounting math at Complexity Levels 1 to 3.
• measurement and calculation math at Complexity Levels 2 and 3.
• data analysis math at Complexity Levels 2 and 3.

They also perform tasks involving:

• numerical estimation at Complexity Levels 1 to 2

• reconcile purchase orders with bills for equipment and equipment parts. (scheduling or budgeting and accounting) (1)
• may create or assist in the creation of work schedules for preventative maintenance, taking into account time, available personnel and materials. (scheduling or budgeting and accounting) (2)
• may compare costs for replacing parts of machinery with replacement of entire machine. (scheduling or budgeting and accounting) (3)
• measure precisely machined parts with micrometers and vernier calipers. (measurement and calculation) (2)
• measure the volume of liquid in a tank using a calibrated vessel. (measurement and calculation) (3)
• may calculate the rate of liquid flow in a pipe using a calibrated vessel and a watch. (measurement and calculation) (3)
• collect and analyze oil samples from equipment to determine the breakdown in gears and bearings. (data analysis) (2)
• conduct vibration analysis on compressors to determine equipment maintenance requirements. (data analysis) (2)
• measure the rate of flow of product going through a machine and analyze the data to determine how to improve or optimize performance. (data analysis) (3)
• estimate lengths of hose required for the job. (numerical estimation) (1)
• estimate time and resources required for equipment repair task. (numerical estimation) (2)

a. Mathematical Foundations Used

b. How Calculations Are Performed

• in their head.
• using a pen and paper.
• using a calculator or adding machine.
• using a computer.

c. Measurement Instruments Used

• time - using a clock or watch.
• voltage or wattage - using gauges or a multi-meter.
• weight or mass - using scales.
• angles - using a protractor.
• temperature - using a thermometer or remote temperature sensor.
• pressure - using gauges.

The typical oral communication tasks of millwrights are at Complexity Levels 1 to 3.

Their most complex oral communication tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

Millwrights:

• interact with other maintenance staff to ask for or provide information about equipment problems or history. (1)
• interact with suppliers and equipment warranty contract repair people to learn and to exchange information. (1)
• consult with supervisor(s) to inform, or request information or decisions. (2)
• consult with other maintenance staff to co-ordinate work schedules in terms of time, and availability of resources, often amid conflicting priorities. (3)
• participate in staff meetings to provide comments or suggestions, or to persuade the group to accept a particular point of view.(3)
• coach apprentices by providing instruction, direction or explanation about equipment performance, maintenance and repair. (3)

Millwrights communicate:

• in person.
• using the telephone.
• using a two-way radio or other such means.
• using specialized communication signals, such as hand signals.

Millwrights may work in a noisy environment with loud equipment, which may affect communication.

Because millwrights interact with a large number of people, both maintenance and production workers, they may encounter second language issues. Although they are not required to work in other languages, they may have to communicate with people with limited English language skills, for example, to find out what happened when a piece of equipment broke down.

1. Problem Solving

The typical problem solving tasks of Millwrights are at Complexity Level 1 to 2. Their most complex problem solving tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

Millwrights may:

• discover that the plant site is short staffed at the moment or encounter unexpected demands on their time. They will adapt the work planned for that day to accommodate the unexpected demand. (1)
• anticipate equipment maintenance problems, given the history of a piece of equipment. They develop a preventative maintenance strategy and schedule. (2)
• encounter an unfamiliar problem during repairs that they are undertaking. They may have to consult other workers or seek out appropriate print information. (2)
• discover that the parts required to repair a machine are not at hand. They fabricate a similar part until the replacement part can be obtained. (2)
• identify and analyze the nature of equipment failure or malfunction. They may fix it themselves; may seek help from others to do so; or may determine that it is under warranty, and in that case will bring in the contract maintenance repair person. (3)
• discover that equipment requires immediate attention and that the consequences to the production flow are significant. They will consult with other maintenance people and the production supervisor, then estimate resources and time required and determine repair strategies. (3)

The typical decision making tasks of Millwrights are at Complexity Level 1to 2. Their most complex decision making tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

• decide the scope of work, including time, resources, and cost on a daily basis to create a maintenance schedule. (1)
• make decisions about equipment reliability based on age and performance history. (1)
• decide which co-workers to consult in order to effectively co-ordinate work. (1)
• decide whether equipment or materials require replacement rather than repair, and make recommendations to supervisor. (2)
• decide a maintenance strategy that anticipates and prevents problems. (3)
• in emergency situations where equipment problems threaten production activity and efficiency, Millwrights gather appropriate human and material resources and decide efficient strategies for repair. (3)

Millwrights plan and organize their job tasks at Complexity Level 3.

Millwrights are generally fairly autonomous in planning their work, although they must consult other co-workers for information so that they can co-ordinate the work to ensure smooth production process. They must consider the production demands and be aware of possible equipment problems that could arise.

Millwrights must have a flexible work plan because equipment can unexpectedly break down and this may affect production significantly. Supervisors may have little input into the Millwright's work plan, leaving it in the hands of the Millwright.

Examples

Millwrights may:

• remember equipment history in order to help decide preventative maintenance schedules.
• remember commonly called telephone numbers and contact information.
• remember mathematical formulas, for example, the calculation of the circumference of a circle.
• remember classification codes for different electric motors.
• remember safety codes of the different areas they work in and what the requirements are for those areas, for example, some areas require the use of non-sparking tools.

5. Finding Information

Millwright's tasks that involve finding information are at Complexity Levels 1 to 3

Millwrights:

• scan the company directory to find appropriate contact information. (1)
• consult schedules to determine tasks. (1)
• consult company policies to make appropriate decisions. (2)
• consult technical manuals to find information regarding repair and maintenance procedures or equipment specifications. (3)

Millwrights work independently, co-ordinating their work with that of other maintenance and production personnel.

Millwrights

• have opportunities to make suggestions on improving work processes.
• inform other workers or demonstrate to them how tasks are performed.
• plan and then co-ordinate work with others.
• may help orient new employees or coach and supervise an apprentice.

The computer use tasks of millwrights are at Complexity Levels 1 and 2.

• may use word processing. For example, they may use Microsoft Word, both for composing memos and for completing on-line forms. (2)
• may use a database. For example, they may consult a database of materials or inventory. (1)
• may use a spreadsheet. For example, they may create a preventative maintenance schedule. (2)
• may use computerized equipment that involves routine settings. (1)

Millwrights usually complete some secondary school education and then participate in a three to four year apprenticeship program. Five years of work experience in the trade and college or industry courses are usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Industrial mechanic trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and territories. Construction Millwright trade certification is available, but not compulsory, in New Brunswick and Ontario. Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal) is also available to qualified Industrial Mechanics or Millwrights.

Once employed in the trade, some Millwrights may have the opportunity to engage continuing formal training; for example in the bakery sector they may participate in the American Institute of Bakery Maintenance Engineering program. Most have the opportunity to complete industrial first aid and other safety-related courses.

Most Millwrights learn by reviewing current print materials, such as trade magazines and new equipment manuals, which acquaint them with technological changes.

• as part of regular work activity.
• from co-workers.
• through training offered in the workplace.
• through reading or other forms of self-study:
  - at work.
  - on worker's own time.
  - using materials available through work.
  - using materials obtained on worker's own initiative.
  - during working hours at no cost to the worker.

In addition to collecting information for this Essential Skills Profile, our interviews with job incumbents also asked about the following topics.

The Millwrights interviewed mentioned these physical aspects of their jobs.

Body Position

Millwrights use a variety of body positions (standing, bending) to conduct work on equipment. They walk about the plant much of the day as well.

Limb Co-ordination

Millwrights make extensive use of eye-hand co-ordination while working on equipment. They use upper body limbs to lift, pull and push equipment.

Strength

Millwrights require significant strength to lift and position heavy equipment.

Sensory

Millwrights use hearing and sight to help determine equipment problems and operation.

The Millwrights interviewed felt that incumbents should have good interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with others, to ensure smooth production process. They also felt that attention to task, given the safety factors of working with equipment, is important. A readiness to learn and change with the times was also mentioned.

Increased technology and changing technology will affect Millwrights' use of essential skills. The expense of using increasingly sophisticated equipment means that Millwrights need to be able to problem solve effectively, need to calculate accurately, and need to plan work economically. It also means that learning becomes more important as they will need to keep pace with the changes of equipment and strategies for repair.

Millwrights also identified issues within the trade as significant. They felt that labour-management relations were more critical now than ever, and that communication skills were therefore increasingly important.

Copyright is held by the Alberta Food Processors Association.

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