General Machinist
A General Machinist cuts, shapes and finishes metal to make precision machined parts and components used in all areas of manufacturing. Specifically, a General Machinist:
- reads and interprets complex engineering drawings and work-process documentation
- cuts, shapes, and finishes metal to make precision machined parts and components
- sets up and operates both conventional and numerically controlled metal-cutting machines and equipment, including saws, drills, grinders, lathes and mills
- performs work-in-process measuring or checking using specialized and precision tools and equipment
Red Seal trade
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of General Machinist is 8,000 hours (approximately four years) consisting of 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.
As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.
IN-SCHOOL TRAINING
A General Machinist apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:
- applied trade safety practices
- applied trade calculations, charts, and tables
- engineering drawings/CAD (computer-aided design) data, layout processes
- metallurgy (science of metals)
- metrology (science of measuring and checking)
- benchworking techniques
- metal cutting saw technology
- drilling, turning, milling and grinding technologies
- computerized numerically controlled (CNC) technology
Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:
- block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
- day release (one day per week from September to June)
- part-time (night-school programs)
- alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)
General Machinist is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021
This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade. Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.
In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program—the national standard for the trade across Canada— under the title Machinist: www.red-seal.ca.