Millwright Apprenticeship

[whatcaneyedo]

Its a long hard road but that is ultimately what I did. I might have been able to stick with one employer and have them apprentice me but it would have required me to work away from home. Instead I bounced around from in-town job to job with a variety of different employers until I had all of my hours and schooling done. A local Carpenter's Union (CMAW 1998) sponsored me throughout my apprenticeship while mostly non-union supervisors/employers signed off on my hours.

What really helped to kick start my employment was a government program that may or may not still exist. I think it was called Targeted Wage Subsidies or maybe that was just its function. I was unemployed and my EI coverage had run out which were both required to qualify for the program. What it did was reimburse an employer for half of my wages up to a certain point who would employ me in the trade/occupation that I was seeking to enter. So a home builder took me on for about 6 months (the life of the program) paid me $17/hr while the gov reimbursed him for half. I got the experience that I needed to get hired on by the next guy and he got dirt cheep labour for the summer. Win win. Try talking to your local employment assistance offices, they may be able to refer you to the same or similar program.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Its a long hard road but that is ultimately what I did. I might have been able to stick with one employer and have them apprentice me but it would have required me to work away from home. Instead I bounced around from in-town job to job with a variety of different employers until I had all of my hours and schooling done. A local Carpenter's Union (CMAW 1998) sponsored me throughout my apprenticeship while mostly non-union supervisors/employers signed off on my hours.

What really helped to kick start my employment was a government program that may or may not still exist. I think it was called Targeted Wage Subsidies or maybe that was just its function. I was unemployed and my EI coverage had run out which were both required to qualify for the program. What it did was reimburse an employer for half of my wages up to a certain point who would employ me in the trade/occupation that I was seeking to enter. So a home builder took me on for about 6 months (the life of the program) paid me $17/hr while the gov reimbursed him for half. I got the experience that I needed to get hired on by the next guy and he got dirt cheep labour for the summer. Win win. Try talking to your local employment assistance offices, they may be able to refer you to the same or similar program.

I believe the program still exists. I am going to Work BC tomorrow to see if I can talk to someone about it. Thanks for the help.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Its a long hard road but that is ultimately what I did. I might have been able to stick with one employer and have them apprentice me but it would have required me to work away from home. Instead I bounced around from in-town job to job with a variety of different employers until I had all of my hours and schooling done. A local Carpenter's Union (CMAW 1998) sponsored me throughout my apprenticeship while mostly non-union supervisors/employers signed off on my hours.

What really helped to kick start my employment was a government program that may or may not still exist. I think it was called Targeted Wage Subsidies or maybe that was just its function. I was unemployed and my EI coverage had run out which were both required to qualify for the program. What it did was reimburse an employer for half of my wages up to a certain point who would employ me in the trade/occupation that I was seeking to enter. So a home builder took me on for about 6 months (the life of the program) paid me $17/hr while the gov reimbursed him for half. I got the experience that I needed to get hired on by the next guy and he got dirt cheep labour for the summer. Win win. Try talking to your local employment assistance offices, they may be able to refer you to the same or similar program.

I just finished having a meeting and was approved for the wage subsidy. Now I just need to find someone who wants a half price apprentice. Thanks for the advice.

[intarsiabox]

Universities, hospitals, building management companies, pump repair companies, recycling/waste management companies, food processing plants, manufacturing plants, the city or municipality, airports, shipping docks, industrial construction companies, etc. all hire millwrights.

[Dearth]

Pulpmills and sawmill mills are both looking for millwrights I know canfor pulp is looking for trades as is west Fraser

I work at canfor Northwood pulp and we are short on millwrights bbt so are the other 2 pulp mills in town both owned by canfor as well. If your interested you can apply online through www.canfor.com

[whatcaneyedo]

Glad I could help.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by Dearth

Pulpmills and sawmill mills are both looking for millwrights I know canfor pulp is looking for trades as is west Fraser

I work at canfor Northwood pulp and we are short on millwrights bbt so are the other 2 pulp mills in town both owned by canfor as well. If your interested you can apply online through www.canfor.com

Thanks for the info. I am trying to stay some what local at the moment and thats what is making things harder. I did take a look though just nothing local. I will keep checking. Thanks.

[WarDog]

Nudge nudge.

[Wretch]

Just wanted to thank everyone who gave me job pointers and information. Looks like I finally found a place that will apprentice me. I had to take a bigger pay cut then I liked but can't be picky I guess. I start Monday and I didn't have to leave the city, so even better. Thanks again all.