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MACHINIST |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Machinists set up and operate precision metal cutting and grinding machines such as lathes, milling machines, drills and grinders to make and repair products made from metals, plastics, rubber textiles, fibreglass and space age alloys.
Machinists work according to very precise specifications. When there are no prints or other specifications, they determine dimensions by logic or by measuring samples using instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers. Electronic instruments have digital readouts and require the operator to program them for use.
To perform a typical machining task, machinists:
Machinists must understand the effects of heat treatment on metals and be skilled in the performance of various heat treatment processes.
Machinists may work in job or production shops. In job shops, they make a wide variety of repair parts for many different types of machinery and industrial equipment in different situations. In production shops, they produce parts using mass production methods including CNC machining and other tools. They make parts when it is impossible to purchase them or they are too costly. They may work in a rushed environment. In Alberta, small production runs are more typical.
Machinists work in shops with state of the art machines or with machines that are older where that technology is required. Some shops may be noisy or dusty and have materials that may be dirty and require cleaning. Machinists may have to stand for long periods of time. They work a 37-1/2 to 40-hour week, usually five weekdays, but may be required to work overtime in emergency situations. Night or evening shifts are common in many shops as well. Machinists enjoy working on the leading edge in production jobs.
A high degree of safety is required as there may be risk of injury involved in working with high speed machinery with sharp metals and tools.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy doing creative work with machinery that requires a high degree of skill and precision.
To be successful in their trade, machinists need:
Machinists are employed wherever equipment is being manufactured or repaired. Some are employed by large organizations such as government departments or repair and maintenance companies. Employment is generally steady for machinists.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $24 to $32 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced machinists may advance to positions such as inspector, foreman or superintendent or CNC machnists and programmers. Some machinists start businesses of their own.
To work as a Machinist in Alberta, a person must:
Machinists learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A machinist who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A machinist who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Machinists who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, a document indicating that the individual holds a certificate that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a machinist is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a machinist in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice machinists earn at least 55 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 percent in the second, 75 percent in the third, and 85 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for machinist apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
