Find Out More – Millwright

Course: Millwright 

Trade Title: Millwright 

OFO No: 671202

Accreditation Body: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations

What is a Millwright?

A Millwright is trained and qualified to install, operate, repair, fault find, upgrade and service various electrical and mechanical systems. 

These systems can include wiring, specialised electrical equipment and different fixtures. Millwrights need to work within relevant codes and regulations. 

Some Millwrights may also install, dismantle, repair, reassemble and move various machinery in factories/ mines. They work in homes, complexes, housing developments, large skyscrapers, factories, mines, power stations etc.

Making, installing and repairing machinery to be familiar with a range of tools and equipment, such as lathes, milling and drilling machines, thermal heating, cutting and welding equipment. These tools are used to mark, press, cut, grind, plane bore and drill objects.

Mechanical fitting is the assembly, installation, maintenance and testing of complex machinery and mechanisms, such as pumps or turbines. In order to achieve this mechanical fitters will work from detailed drawings or specifications, use hand and machine tools and precision measuring tools.

Millwrights can specialize in different areas, namely:

  • Regular Electrician
  • Engineering Electrician
  • Construction Electrician
  • Mining Electrician
  • Auto Electrician
  • Maintenance Fitter
  • Engine Assembler
  • Hydraulic Engineering

What does a Millwright do?

  • Designs layouts based on job specifications and local codes
  • Reads building plans to understand electrical circuits 
  • Studies electrical configurations
  • Orders supplies
  • Tests and inspects circuits and systems using specialised equipment
  • Installs complex electrical equipment
  • Upgrades existing systems
  • Fixes wires and circuits
  • Maintains and services electrical systems
  • Trouble-shoot – diagnose and find solutions
  • Works with various electrical equipment and tools
  • Drives from one site to another
  • Makes sure of safety at all times , perform risk assessments
  • Works according to government regulations
  • Installing and repairing machinery
  • Familiar with a range of tools and equipment
  • Cutting and welding equipment

Personal Qualities Required:

  • Interested in electricity and fitting
  • Physically fit and agile
  • Observant
  • Responsible
  • A Person with an eye for detail
  • A Person with no color deficiencies
  • Good with your hands
  • A Person with excellent judgement
  • Safety conscious
  • Self-motivated
  • Good communication skills

How to become a Millwright?

Entry Requirements:

  • 16 years of age and 
  • grade 10 (Standard 8) or
  • grade 11 (Standard 9) or Matric (Standard 10) with Maths and Science would be preferred and
  • you will need to obtain an N2 qualification.  If you have passed grade 12 with a science and maths pass rate of more than 40%, you will only need to write and pass 2 of the 4 subjects (Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) to obtain your N2 qualification.  If you have not passed the grade 12 science and maths exam, then you would need to enrol for all 4 subjects (Maths, Engineering Science, Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory in Electrical and Fitting) to obtain your N2 qualification.
 

Training Requirements:

  • You will need to obtain institutional learning at a training institution like Artisan Training Institute, in order for all your modules to be performed in the presence of and signed off by a registered Training Officer as competent. All modules passed will be signed off in your Logbook by the Training Officer.
  • Your Phase I would typically last around 15 weeks in electrical and 12 weeks in fitting, after which you would need to obtain experiential (on-the-job) training for a period of 18 months, working under supervision of a registered Artisan at an accredited workplace. The Artisan will sign off all the relevant workplace modules performed on the job. 
  • Your Phase II will commence thereafter for a period of 12 weeks in electrical and 12 weeks in fitting.  Once again you would need to continue your on-the-job training as mentioned above for another period of 18 months.
  • Once all the relevant modules in both your Off-the-Job Logbook (training institute) and On-the-Job Logbook have been successfully completed and signed off, you will be able to apply to write the Trade Test. 
  • Upon the successful demonstration to the QCTO that all the requirements for writing the Trade Test have been met, will your Trade Test date be issued.
  • Your Phase III will prepare you for the Trade Test and will last for up to 8 weeks in electrical and 8 weeks in fitting. 

Millwright Phase 1

This course consists of Phase 1. It counts towards a credited Millwright Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only.

The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.

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Millwright Phase 2

This course consists of Phase 2. It counts towards a credited Millwright Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only.

The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.

Enrol Now