How to become a machinist in Quebec

Machinists are at the heart of the production, repair or modification of parts and objects that play a vital role in the daily lives of millions of people in Quebec.

Many students who wish to find a job immediately after graduation or workers who wish to redirect their careers are choosing the machinist trade since it is one of the most in-demand occupations in the Quebec manufacturing sector.

Here is more information on the machinist profession in Quebec and how to get a job in the machining field.

Do you have the skills to be a good machinist?

Before starting any training that could lead to a job as a machinist, it is important to make sure you have the right skills for this occupation.

For example, a prospective machinist should enjoy working with automated or computerized machines and be interested in how they work. They should also value accuracy, efficiency, and quality of work.

Being a machinist also requires applied science skills and good manual and digital dexterity.

Finally, the best machinists have excellent visualization, with the ability to visualize the parts they have to design in 3D.

What are the machinist’s tasks?

The main tasks of people who choose to become general machinists are usually driving and operating conventional machine-tools (milling machine, grinding machine, column drilling machine, lathe, etc.) to machine and manufacture simple or complex mechanical parts.

Those who choose to become specialized machinists (also called “precision machinists”) are responsible for driving and operating numerically controlled machine tools such as CNC boring mills.

With that being said, regardless of the selected career, a machinist should always take the time necessary to understand the drawings and specs of the parts to be produced. They also need to regularly check whether the dimensions of the parts they machine are accurate and meet the required specs using precision machining tools.

What education do you need to become a machinist?

The academic path is slightly different depending on the desired machinist position.

To get a job as a general machinist, you need to complete a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) in machining techniques. This is an 1,800 hour program that can be taken in several vocational training schools across the province. Generally speaking, students enrolled in this DVS will complete an internship of approximately 120 hours in a machine shop towards the end of their training.

Those who wish to become specialized machinists need to obtain an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS) in machining on numerically controlled machine tools after obtaining their DVS in machining techniques. This program lasts 885 hours and is offered in different regions of Quebec.

What are the job prospects for machining technology graduates?

As mentioned above, the machinist trade is one of the most in-demand occupations in the Quebec manufacturing sector. As a result, the employment rate for graduates in machining techniques and machining on numerically controlled machine tools is currently close to 100%.

In addition to finding a job as soon as they finish their training, these graduates will also benefit from a starting salary of approximately $20/hour and can count on social benefits that promote work-family balance.

Machinists may work in equipment manufacturing plants, vehicle factories and machine shops, among others. They can therefore find a position in nearly any region of Quebec, including those at the heart of the Northern Action Plan.

If they wish, after a few years working in the machining sector, machinists can climb the ladder and become programmers, tool and die makers, machining project managers, and much more.

The best machinists work at Braidwood Industries Ltd.

Now you know how to become a machinist in Quebec. It takes a lot of time and effort to achieve this career goal, but it is worth the effort given the job prospects in the field.

The machinists at Braidwood Industries Ltd. use the skills obtained during their training every day, in addition to those they have acquired through years of experience. They also benefit from an ideal work environment and use state-of-the-art equipment. You should therefore contact Braidwood Industries Ltd. if you have a project to entrust to a machine shop.

About the Author: yohan