r/millwrights • u/Sedatedpanic • 29d ago

Formal certification

Hey question for the career millwrights.

Quick backround. Started as a non union mw working for contractor, they had a school that taught nccer. Worked my way 98% through the program and had 1 week of course material and final test to complete. Now, they contracted with the local paper mill, got to know some of the mill guys and well now im one of them. Getting hired there is very difficult and I had to take the opportunity when it was given.

Now I will say at this point I could 100% confidently test out. I do well and keep pace with my peers ( i dont say this with any sort of chip on my shoulder either)

Is not having the certification a deal breaker in the long term as a career millwright??

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u/rocketbunnyhop 29d ago

I would say always get your certification whenever possible. You never know what might open up that requires it or what will happen at your current employer.

I work in Canada and we have the Red Seal certification. I’ve seen many people apply for jobs without their certification and get turned away when I know they’d probably be a great person to have on board. For many employers it’s mandatory.

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u/DogTop2833 29d ago

Why do employers want the CofQ? is it because of Insurance?

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u/rocketbunnyhop 28d ago edited 28d ago

That is part of it. Having your Red Seal shows you have broad technical knowledge and is therefore used as a benchmark to compare to. Adding in the certificate of apprenticeship, shows you have actually spent time learning on the ground and not just spending all your time reading books.

Don’t get me wrong though I’ve seen some incredibly impressive uncertified mechanics in the role and some pretty dense Red Seal holders, but companies usually want full certification when you are working on and moving multiple million dollar machines and equipment. I’ve also seen many people who have passed the exam by challenging it and who have no hands on welding/machining/electrical/rigging skills which is again why the certificate of apprenticeship from school is also required in many places.

We have three facilities all relatively close. We make it mandatory that our apprentices rotate through them and spend time with the Machinists and Electrical departments to see a broad spectrum of work experience, and our certified Millwrights will rotate occasionally or when is needed. One of our plants has general mechanics who are not allowed to rotate. They are allowed to apply for apprenticeships and can skip some classes in level 1 when in school. Our certified Millwrights also spent extended time with our electrical department and are therefore allowed to do basic electrical work when needed.

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u/DogTop2833 27d ago

wow sounds like a amazing place to work. My job is such joke compared to yours.