- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Education High school diploma
- Average salary $56,000 to $95,000
Career profile
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, callipers, lathes etc. They also use applications such as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, machinist analytical or scientific software, and industrial control software.
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
- 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