Industrial Maintenance - Millwright Technology

The skillset needed for millwrights includes a high level of fabrication, a level of understanding electricity for troubleshooting electrical devices, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and PLC’s operation and troubleshooting, as well as motor and component service and installation.  Students receive practical training in welding, blueprint reading, training on control strategies, hydraulic and pneumatic operation, as well as basic electrical service strategies.  Rigging, mechanical drive systems, installation and alignment of equipment, and pumps are also taught.  Training begins in the classroom and continues in the shop area. Students complete all lab assignments in accordance with industry standards, using the tools and equipment of the profession with an emphasis on safety and quality.

• Aleks score in Math of 30 or higher, Writing Placement Exam of 2 or higher, or qualify for Math (PT) 137 and English 101
• Enrollment priority is on a first-come, first-serve basis as determined by the student’s faculty advising date

This program has physical requirements that may affect the student’s ability to perform in this field. These requirements can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website or at O-Net OnLine. Students must have good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination and should enjoy working with their hands. The minimum reading comprehension level is tenth grade. Good eyesight, no respiratory problems, good physical condition, and a strong math background are all highly recommended. High school chemistry, physics, and mechanical drawing are very helpful.

The job outlook for graduates is excellent. Industrial Maintenance/Millwright graduates have a bright future for success. Students will have the opportunity to work in a variety of occupations from welding to maintenance, as well as installation of equipment. Employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024. The need to keep increasingly sophisticated machinery functioning and efficient will drive demand for these workers. Job prospects for qualified applicants should be good. This occupation is in high demand in our region with the many manufacturing industries present including Clearwater Paper Corporation, Idaho Pulp & Paperboard and Idaho Forest Group.

• Identify PLC hardware; wire up PLC power, inputs and outputs
• Read and write basic ladder logic programs
• Know the theory of DC and AC motors
• Troubleshoot motor control circuits
• Trade skills to include blueprint reading, construction documents, hand tools, fasteners/ anchors, construction equipment, safety, resume building, teamwork, leadership and trade accounting
• Familiar with principles of electricity and how to work safely with electrical devices
• Knowledge of mechanical systems. These include bearings, couplings, motors, pumps, heat exchangers, compressors and methods for the transmission of power
• Ability to construct a power source; how to obtain optimum performance from a power source, and how to troubleshoot a power source