Find out everything you need to know about becoming a Millwright.

Job Title - Millwright

Description

A Millwright installs and maintains heavy machinery used in the engineering or construction industry.

Typical Job Activities

Maintenance work is performed on production machines, electrically driven machines and electronic control gear
Responsibilities are both mechanical and electrical
In some cases dismantles and repairs manufacturing of parts as well as performs fault detections
Maintenance, reconstruction and installation of machinery
Requires knowledge of electronics as applied in the control of heavy electrically-driven equipment
Must have a thorough knowledge of the manufacturing of machine components
Involved in electrical installation
Dismantles electric motors, tests them, checks their wiring and determines their power output and consumption
Usually works in the production section of factories, but sometimes has to perform tasks on site

Does this sound like a career for you? Browse jobs in the engineering and construction industry here.

Related Occupations

Construction electrician
Electronic mechanician
Lift mechanic

Educational Requirements

Grade 9 Certificate

Some employers prefer higher qualifications like a 1-3 Years FET or practical training in Millwright Engineering Courses at a technical college 

Compulsory subjects: Mathematics
Recommended subjects: Physical Science, Trade Theory, Technika: Electrical, Technika: Mechanical and Technical Drawing 

Apprenticeship Training

Register with an employer providing suitable training.

Training consists of theoretical and practical work:
- Theoretical training: At a technical (FET) college or a correspondence course at Technisa (N3 level)
- Practical training: In-service training under supervision of a qualified tradesman
- Duration of course: 3 to 5 years depending on the experience of the candidate
- Final examination: A compulsory trade test set by the Department of Labour to qualify as an artisan

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Be responsible
Have initiative
Be able to enjoy working with hands
Have mechanical aptitude
Have perseverance
Remember details
Have manual dexterity
Be healthy and strong
Have good eye-hand co-ordination
Be able to broaden field of knowledge

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Employment Opportunities

Moderate

Market Competitiveness

Moderate

Income Potential

Moderate

Self-Employment Options

Moderate

International Employment Market

Moderate

Possible Employers

Government - national, provincial, local councils and related organisations like manufacturers of transportation equipment or municipalities
Big private companies - Manufacturers of metal, paper, steel, chemical products, Mines or Iscor, Eskom, Sasol, CSIR or Atomic Energy Corporation
Medium or small companies - Construction industry
Own small business: Entrepreneurial opportunities in this field
Self-employed: Contractor, consultant, own practice, freelance

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Relevant Contact Details

Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa
http://www.seifsa.co.za

The Metal and Engineering Industries Education and Training Board
http://www.merseta.org.za

Career Progress and Path

Further Studies in the specific career field
Further studies in related fields
Experience in specific field
Work performance
Experience in related fields
General management studies

Possible Career Paths

Specialist career in the specific field
Management positions in the specific field
Management positions in related fields
Consultant/ contractor/ own practice/ freelance
Own business

Employment Stability

Moderately stable

Reasons to consider this career

A job in government
A job in private companies
To start my own business
To work with my hands
To work with technology