Machinists are artists, turning drawings into three dimensional metal objects. You create precise tools, replacement parts and one-of-a-kind prototypes out of metal. The energy industry has custom equipment, new technologies and automations that often require your expertise. Do you like creating things with your hands? Are you a master of accuracy? Do you want to work with powerful machines? A career as a machinist may be a precise fit for you.
Machinists set up, operate, fabricate, modify and repair a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. They may also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines. They interact with engineering, supervisory or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information. Machinists use tools such as boring machines, radial drills, calipers, lathes etc. They also use applications such as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, machinist analytical or scientific software, and industrial control software.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary $53,000 to $89,000
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Stable
In this occupation activities may include:
- Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, charts and tables or studying sample parts to determine what machining operations need to be performed and to plan the best sequence of operations
- Fitting and assembling machined parts and subassemblies using hand and power tools
- Setting up and programming machine tools for use by machining tool operators
- Aligning and securing holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories and materials onto machines
- Programming computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools
- Installing repaired parts onto equipment or installing new equipment
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required, along with a four-year apprenticeship program or several years of experience working in the trade along with some industry approved college courses.
Certifications
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Asbestos Safety
- H2S Alive®
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Aerial lift training
- Confined space entry
- Aerial lift training
Licensing
- Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories
- Red Seal endorsement is available to qualified Machinists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
You are a critical thinker who can visualize how engineering drawings should look in real life. You work well with your hands and have manual dexterity.
- Critical thinking
- Mechanical
- Attention to detail
- Engineering and technology
- Operation and control
- Production and processing
- Equipment selection
- Computer use
- Operation monitoring
- Quality control analysis
- Sub-sector Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Modular fabrication, Construction, Start-up and commissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The nature of work as a machinist in the contracted and turnaround maintenance, modular fabrication, construction and start-up and commissioning project life cycle phases of the industrial construction and maintenance industry is very similar to oil and natural gas. The skills and qualifications are directly transferable.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, charts and tables or studying sample parts to determine what machining operations need to be performed and to plan the best sequence of operations
- Fitting and assembling machined parts and subassemblies using hand and power tools
- Setting up and programming machine tools for use by machining tool operators
- Aligning and securing holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories and materials onto machines
- Programming computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools
- Installing repaired parts onto equipment or installing new equipment
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required, along with a four-year apprenticeship program or several years of experience working in the trade along with some industry approved college courses.
Certifications
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Asbestos Safety
- H2S Alive®
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Aerial lift training
- Confined space entry
- Aerial lift training
Licensing
- Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories
- Red Seal endorsement is available to qualified Machinists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Travel required (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Work away from home/in camps (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Primarily outdoor work (construction)
- Primarily indoor/office work (modular fabrication)
- Physical work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Safety-sensitive environment (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Rural location (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
You are a critical thinker who can visualize how engineering drawings should look in real life. You work well with your hands and have manual dexterity.
- Critical thinking
- Mechanical
- Attention to detail
- Engineering and technology
- Operation and control
- Production and processing
- Equipment selection
- Computer use
- Operation monitoring
- Quality control analysis
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a machinist in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to LNG facility operation.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, charts and tables or studying sample parts to determine what machining operations need to be performed and to plan the best sequence of operations
- Fitting and assembling machined parts and subassemblies using hand and power tools
- Setting up and programming machine tools for use by machining tool operators
- Aligning and securing holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories and materials onto machines
- Programming computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools
- Installing repaired parts onto equipment or installing new equipment
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required, along with a four-year apprenticeship program or several years of experience working in the trade along with some industry approved college courses.
Certifications
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Asbestos Safety
- H2S Alive®
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Aerial lift training
- Confined space entry
- Aerial lift training
Licensing
- Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories
- Red Seal endorsement is available to qualified Machinists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Nature of work and environment conditions specific tp LNG include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Work away from home/in camps
- Potential for relocation
- Physical work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
- Rural location
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
You are a critical thinker who can visualize how engineering drawings should look in real life. You work well with your hands and have manual dexterity.
- Critical thinking
- Mechanical
- Attention to detail
- Engineering and technology
- Operation and control
- Production and processing
- Equipment selection
- Computer use
- Operation monitoring
- Quality control analysis
