Career Profile: Millwright

(Pictured: Sean on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb)

Does a career that is filled with variety, is hands-on and challenging appeal to you? If so, working as a millwright is definitely worth considering!

According to BCIT’s website, “millwrights are often described as masters of all trades as they are expected to install, maintain and repair all types of machinery in almost any industry.”

Millwright Sean Duff got a head start on his career path through a summer job cleaning gondola cabins up at Whistler Mountain. Getting the opportunity to work with some more experienced staff, he soon became interested in the maintenance side of things. After graduating from BCIT’s millwright program in 2006, Sean now oversees the daily operations of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola on Whistler Blackcomb as a lead hand. Youthink had the chance to speak with Sean to gain some insight into his exciting career.

YT: Can you tell us a bit about your job?
SD: I perform mechanical safety inspections on a daily basis, as well as monthly and annual preventative maintenance measures.

YT: What factors, such as interests and hobbies, led you to pursue being a millwright as a career?
SD: I was raised in Squamish. As a kid, I was very active and played many sports. Working on the mountain gave me the opportunity to be in a winter environment while learning the millwright trade.

YT: What specific training is necessary?
SD: I did my apprenticeship at BCIT. The millwright trade is a four-year 6,600-hour program. It can be taken on your own or with a company sponsor. I was sponsored by Whistler/Blackcomb. (Editor’s note: Programs for millwrights are also available at SAIT and NAIT.)

YT: Where can your training take you?
SD: It can lead to work in so many different jobs in any country. The best part of being a millwright is you are an industrial mechanic; you touch on a little bit of everything: welding, machining, rigging, hydraulics, pneumatics.

YT: Is there travel involved with your job?
SD: Yes, I have been to Switzerland and Austria for lift specific training.

YT: What’s the biggest perk of your job?
SD: The people. I get to associate with people from all over the world on a daily basis.

YT: What is the salary range for a beginner to advanced millwright?
SD: Salary is fair. Starting out at about $15 an hour as a first year, and increasing to over $30 an hour as a Red Seal (Editor’s note: The Red Seal program allows qualified tradespeople to practice their trade anywhere in Canada where the trade is designated without having to write further examinations.) This is not the rate throughout industry however. It’s a lot higher in less pleasant work environments, and can also get up to $100,000 a year with enough overtime.

YT: How can kids in high school prepare for a career as a millwright?
SD: High school offered some courses which helped. Metal shop was the class I got the most pre-trade shop experience from.

YT: Analysts have long been predicting a demand for more tradespeople. What do you think about the future of your field?
SD: The future for millwrights is very bright. As the younger students are tending to turn to high-tech, there will be a greater need for hands-on trades people.

YT: What career accomplishment are you the most proud of?
SD: Working together with other trades people from all over the world to build a record-setting gondola in the Peak 2 Peak last summer.

YT: Will you be working during the Olympics?
SD: Yes, I will be working for the Olympics and will hopefully get a chance to check out the world’s best competing in our backyard.