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:

• study specifications, charts, drawings or sample parts to determine the machining operation to be performed
• calculate dimensions and tolerances, and prepare working sketches if necessary
• measure and mark metal and other materials 
• set up and operate tools, which may be computer numerically controlled, to perform precision machining operations
• fit parts to mechanisms and verify dimensions.

Machinists must understand the effects of heat treatment on metals and be skilled in heat treatment processes.

Machinists may work in job or production shops. In job shops, they make a wide variety of repair parts for 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 or too costly to purchase them. In Alberta, small production runs are typical.

Shops may be noisy or dusty and have materials that may be dirty. Machinists often stand for long periods of time and may work in a rushed environment. They work a 37.5 to 40 hour week, usually five weekdays, but may be required to work overtime in emergency situations. Night or evening shifts are common in some shops. 

Machinists may be required to lift and move items that weigh over 20 kilograms. There is risk of injury involved in working with high speed machinery and sharp metals and tools.

To work in Alberta, a machinist must be ONE of the following:

• a registered apprentice
• a certified journeyperson
• someone who holds a recognized trade certificate  
• someone who works for an employer who is satisfied that the technician has the skills and knowledge expected of certified journeyperson
• self-employed.

To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must:

• have an Alberta high school transcript with English Language Arts 10-2 and Applied Math 10, or equivalent, or pass the entrance exam.
• find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates. Basic computer knowledge is required.

The term of apprenticeship is four years (four 12 month periods) that include a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year. High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for credit or certification.

Machinist apprentices may take an interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).

Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

• the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton
• the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.

Outside the apprenticeship program,  the following Alberta post-secondary institutions offer related training:

• the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) offers a one year CNC Machinist Technician certificate program that includes eight weeks of work experience. The entrance requirement is Grade 10 with English and math but recent successful applicants have had Grade 12 English and math.
• the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) offers a one year Machinist Technician certificate program. The entrance requirement is 70 Alberta high school credits or equivalent with English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2 and Pure or Applied Math 20. SAIT also offers a CNC Operator certificate program through Continuing Education.

Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Machinists are employed wherever equipment is manufactured or repaired. Some are employed by large organizations such as government departments, or repair and maintenance companies.

Experienced machinists may advance to positions such as inspector, foreman or superintendent or CNC machinist and programmer. Some machinists start businesses of their own. Alberta certified journeyperson machinists who have the supervisory or management skills required by industry may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Machinists are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 7231: Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors. In Alberta, 86 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Manufacturing
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Repair, Personal, Religious and Other Services.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• time of year (in some industries)
• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years.

Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $24 to $32 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate).

Apprentice machinists earn at least 55 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 per cent in the second, 75 per cent in the third and 85 per cent in the fourth.

According to the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Machinists group earned from $14.35 to $38.00 an hour. The average wage was $26.40 an hour.

For more detailed information, see WAGEinfo.

Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)