Three Routes Start
Apprenticeship

Industrial millwright

Certificate of Qualification + Red Seal, Industrial Mechanic (SkilledTradesBC)

24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.
Years to credential4
First real paycheque~a month
Time in a classroom15%
Total cost$4,700
Typical debt after$0
Demand in BCHigh

The first ten years

earnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$801k$52,520 rising to $87,360 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$5ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$796kthe number on the card
Low to high$675k to $917kpay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the British Columbia median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isInstalling, maintaining and repairing industrial machinery. Mechanical problem-solving with heavy equipment.
What actually stops peopleFewer openings than construction trades; factories and plants hire in small numbers.
The downsideShift work in manufacturing plants. If the plant closes, you move.
If you're the parentAmong the best-paid trades, with strong overtime. It ties you to industrial employers, which is both the security and the risk.
Local opportunities in British Columbia

Ready to explore this for real?

Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

Check my readiness

How to enter

What you need
  • No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up
Deadlines in BC
  • No deadline: find a sponsor, register with SkilledTradesBC
  • Grade 10 to 12: Youth Train in Trades (Level 1 in school) and Youth Work in Trades

Next steps in British Columbia

  1. 1
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In British Columbia4 levels x 7 weeks, 6,360 hours. Strong demand from mining, energy and retirements.
www.workbc.ca · www.bcit.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 72400 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); BCIT Millwright Apprenticeship

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