Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
Career Overview
Machinists set up and operate a variety of machine tools to cut or grind metal, plastic or other materials to make or modify parts or products with precise dimensions.
People in this occupation:
- Inspect machined parts and tooling in order to maintain quality control standards
- Work for machinery, equipment, motor vehicle, automotive parts, aircraft and other metal products manufacturing companies and for machine shops
- Work in wood manufacturing and food processing plants, as well as in refineries
- Have an interest in mechanization
- Must have a strong attention to detail and be able to communicate complicated technical ideas with precision and clarity
- Need to have good physical mobility, as well as be able to lift heavy objects and handle production pressures calmly
Job Titles
Duties
Although part of the same occupational group, the main duties of machinists and machining and tooling inspectors are different from each other.
Machinists:
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, charts and tables or study sample parts to determine machining operations to be performed, and plan best sequence of operations
- Compute dimensions and tolerances and measure and lay out work pieces
- Set up, operate and maintain a variety of machine tools, including computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools to perform precision, machining operations such as sawing, turning, milling, boring, planning, drilling, precision grinding and other operations
- Fit and assemble machined parts and subassemblies using hand and power tools
- Verify dimensions of products for accuracy and conformance to specifications using precision measuring instruments
- May set up and program machine tools for use by machining tool operators
Machining and tooling inspectors:
- Verify dimensions of machined parts or tooling using micrometers, verniers, callipers, height gauges, optical comparators, coordinate measuring machines (CMM) or other specialized measuring instruments
- Maintain, repair and calibrate precision measuring instruments such as dial indicators, fixed gauges, height gauges and other measuring devices
- Report deviations from specifications and tolerances to supervisors, maintain inspection records and complete inspection reports
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
2,795% Employed Full Time
72%Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors typically work 40 hours per week. However, some overtime may be required to meet production schedules. Some larger operations require shift work.
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors typically work indoors in machine shops or manufacturing plants. The work environment can be noisy and dirty, and workers may also be exposed to unpleasant odours.
Hazards include physical injuries due to possible machinery-related accidents, hearing damage from noise and sickness caused by exposure to toxic lubricants or coolants. The increased use of enclosed, automated equipment has reduced the risk of such injuries and removed much of the noise and dirt created in traditional machine shops and plants. Safety procedures (from the WorksafeBC Act) are strictly enforced to reduce potential injuries.
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors are required to stand for most of the work day. At times, these workers may also be required to lift moderately heavy objects, which may increase their risk of back injury.
However, modern shops and factories now employ autoloaders and overhead cranes that reduce the need to lift heavy objects.
Career Pathways
Many individuals start in entry-level positions, such as machine setters. Once in entry-level positions, these workers may then become machinist apprentices. Some workers may also begin as apprentices.
Workers become certified machinists once they have completed an apprenticeship program.
After several years of experience as a certified machinist, tool and die maker, or machining tool operator, workers may become machining and tooling inspectors.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Completion of secondary school may be required to work in this occupation. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years work experience and some college or industry courses in machining is required to be eligible for machinist trade certification. As the technology advances, strong knowledge of math and physics is becoming increasingly important in finding work in this field.
The machinist apprenticeship program:
- Requires a combination of work experience and class-time instruction
- Educational training takes place over four five-week periods
- Can be started in secondary school, through entry-level training at colleges and technical institutes, or by direct entry
- Requires workers find a sponsor employer who is willing to participate in the program
Workers with 9,900 hours of documented, directly related work experience who have not entered an apprenticeship program may obtain machinist trade certification by passing a challenge exam administered by SkilledTradesBC. For more information please see SkilledTradesBC's website at https://skilledtradesbc.ca.
Trade certification for machinists is available in B.C. Interprovincial trade certification, Red Seal certification, is available to qualified machinists through SkilledTradesBC. Specific trade certification for automotive machinists is also available but voluntary.
Several years of experience as a machinist, tool and die maker or machining tool operator may be required before workers can become machining and tooling inspectors.
Trades training resources
Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
2,795Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 145 | 5.2% |
| Kootenay | 110 | 3.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,880 | 67.3% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 35 | 1.3% |
| Northeast | 25 | 0.9% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 275 | 9.8% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 335 | 12.0% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
1,230Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 70 | 0.4% |
| Kootenay | 40 | 0.6% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 930 | 1.2% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0 | -4.6% |
| Northeast | 0 | -0.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 100 | 0.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 110 | 0.4% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 880 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 80 |
| Wholesale Trade | 70 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 50 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 40 |
Insights from Industry
More than half of the job openings over the next few years are expected to come from new job creation.
Demand for machinists and machining and tooling inspectors is driven by the strength of the Manufacturing and Transportation industries and by the health of B.C.'s resource processing operations, such as saw mills, refineries, smelters and pulp and paper mills. Company consolidation and increased international competition may limit job creation in the Forest Products industry. The Transportation industry could also see growth when trade and container transportation recovers and the economy grows.
Job growth for machinists and machining and tooling inspectors will largely depend on trends in the Manufacturing industry. In particular, the potential movement of some aircraft maintenance work for larger airlines to other provinces and some shipbuilding activity offshore may reduce future job growth for machinists and machining and tooling inspectors.
Business investment in machinery and equipment is expected to increase in B.C. as the stronger Canadian dollar allows companies to invest in up-to-date machinery and equipment.
Resources
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BC Building Tradeswww.bcbuildingtrades.org
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British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)www.bccassn.com
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Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME)www.cme-mec.ca/
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Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA)ctma.com
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Careers in Constructionwww.careersinconstruction.ca
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International Association of Machinists – Canadian Airways Lodge 764www.iam764.ca/
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International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW Canada)www.iamaw.ca/
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SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/
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Trades Training BC – Jobs Boardjobs.tradestrainingbc.ca/
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a machinist is like.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a machinist is like.
