1210212.us16.myftpupload.com Managed WordPress Site

Author: author below

  • Guide to Indoor Gardening!

    Guide to Indoor Gardening!

    By Erin Rebello

    Gardening is a great way to relieve stress and truly gives you the opportunity to care for something from seed to flower. However, as more and more people move into apartments and condominiums, it’s becoming just about impossible to cultivate a backyard flower field. As a result, many are turning to indoor gardens to get their daily dose of greenery. If you’re interested in creating a plant-haven in your own home, keep reading to learn more!

    Things to Consider

    Although it’s really quite simple to grow your own garden indoors, there are a few key essentials that are crucial to the success of your floral endeavours! For starters, make sure that you purchase a pot large enough for your plants. You should make sure to research this carefully in order to ensure that you’re giving your plants plenty of room to grow and thrive. Another thing to research is the type of soil to use for your plant. You shouldn’t just scoop some soil from outside into your flower pot and call it a day! While some gardens need a type of soil called loam soil, others need sand or silt, and it all depends on what you’re growing.

    Another thing to remember is that indoor gardening is all about being resourceful and finding ways to creatively navigate any issues you may face. Also, since plants are meant to be grown outdoors, there are a lot of additional factors that you will have to make up for. For example, if you can’t give your plants direct sunlight, you could position them near a sunny south-facing window. Since your plants won’t receive any rain, you’ll need to remember to water them regularly. If your plants are accustomed to warmer temperatures, you should keep them in the warmest place of the house. In this way, you can ensure that your plants receive the best possible indoor care!

    Grow it Yourself

    To get you started on your gardening journey, here are a few great fool-proof flowers, herbs, veggies, and other plants to try for yourself!

    Flowers are a great way to brighten up any room and get some much needed greenery into your life! These bursts of colour can be grown in pots around your home, and are usually sold partially or fully-grown so you won’t need to sow the seeds yourself! Easy peasy!

    • Begonias
    • African Violets
    • Geraniums
    • Primroses
    • Black eyed Susans
    • Orchids

    Growing herbs work well if you’re a master in the kitchen and absolutely need the very freshest for your dishes! Herbs also grow fairly quickly, and can be easily dried for future projects!

    • Basil
    • Mint
    • Thyme
    • Rosemary
    • Cilantro

    If you’re patient and ready for a challenge you might want to consider growing some simple vegetables indoors! You’ll have to do lots of research and be very careful with your plants, however, you’ll find that the end result is quite delicious!

    • Lettuce
    • Kale
    • Arugula
    • Cherry or grape tomatoes
    • Microgreens

    Succulents, cacti, and houseplants are safe bets for indoor gardening. They’re usually easy to grow and maintain, and will fill any space with life!

    • Spider plant
    • Snake plant
    • Chinese money plant
    • Bunny ear cacti
    • Slow-growing bamboo
    • Peace Lily
  • Balancing a Job and a Career at the Same Time

    Balancing a Job and a Career at the Same Time

    By Erin Rebello

    In this day and age, there seems to be a pressure for young people to put all their effort into working towards their careers. While this may seem like a noble notion, many career paths call for a bare minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with some requiring graduate education, making it increasingly difficult for the average Canadian to support such an endeavour. Even if you’re fortunate enough to have parents who have saved enough for a portion of your education, you’ll probably still find yourself taking on a part time job to pay for textbooks, meals, housing, and other expenses.

    There are many reasons why someone might want to get a job, but most of these reasons boil down to finances. Let’s face it, almost all post-secondary education is expensive! Although most schools do offer bursaries and scholarships, they far from cover the entire cost, and are only given to a select few students. As a result, you’ll probably have to find other ways to pay for your education, which may include taking out a loan. The Ontario Student Assistance Program, more commonly known as OSAP, offers government loans to students who require assistance to pay for their post-secondary education. Loans are very different from bursaries as you will have to pay back the money you borrowed with interest. Although that may seem like a fair deal, interest rates can compound quickly, and you’ll find yourself in a lot of debt before you even begin to earn money from your career; this is where a job comes in. Even if it’s only part time employment and only pays for a portion of your diploma, taking on a job gives you more financial security and financial freedom in the future, making it a great idea for college or university students.

    Another reason why it’s okay to get a job while working on your career is the fact that you can still put it on your resume! Although you might have a job that’s completely different than the career field, there are a lot of transferable skills that you might be overlooking. For example, working in a fast food joint would help you deal with the fast-pace of a professional kitchen. Working in retail also has a lot of transferable interpersonal skills that tie into jobs which require friendly interactions, such as teaching, counselling, and marketing. Also, working at these jobs shows employers that you have fantastic time-management skills, and that you are able to balance work and school at the same time.

    Finally, working in a part-time job while building your career also allows you to connect with new people and expand your network. Your bosses, co-workers, clients, and customers may have connections in the career field you hope to get into, which can make finding your permanent job far easier. Networking is always crucial because you never know when you might find yourself in a situation where your past co-worker becomes your employee. Making connections is also crucial as it gives you references who can support and vouch for your abilities. Most employers look for detailed references, so it’s always great to have on hand.

    In conclusion, although most people do it for the money, there are many perks to working a part-time job while pursuing your full time career, including connections, references, and transferable skills!

  • Jobs You Can Practice at Home

    Jobs You Can Practice at Home

    What jobs do you want to do? It can be hard to figure out what career you want to explore while in school. But there are many ways to get ready. In fact, you can start at home! By practicing different jobs in your house or apartment, you will gain experience and a better understanding of your strengths and interests. Modern technology with some imagination means you can find ways to pretend or even perform many different jobs without ever having to leave your home.

    A lot of physical jobs can be done at home as chores. Many people are very busy with work and taking care of their families, and it is hard for them to keep their houses clean. Help out at home with vacuuming, dusting, doing the dishes, cleaning and folding laundry, and more. You can work your way up to bigger chores, such as painting, fixing broken items, and preparing meals. The variety of tasks are the same things you would be doing as a cleaner for an office, superintendent for an apartment building, or a personal support worker helping those who are sick. Chores cover a lot of careers!

    You can practice a lot of different jobs without stepping outside by simply going online. A lot of people make money by doing projects as freelancers. You can write blogs, make YouTube videos, create your very own website, and more, even if you are not trying to make money from them right now. These jobs may not make lots of money, but they can be very helpful for someone who works part-time or is self-employed. They can also be part of larger careers that involve marketing in the digital world.

    There is plenty to do in and around your neighbourhood, all of which you can do at home. If you have a dog, you can spend more time taking care of them, feeding them, taking them for walks, and even training them. This can help you practice being a dog walker for the neighbourhood, as well as a dog trainer or veterinarian in the future. By watching your younger sibling while your parents are out, you can practice important skills that can help you become a babysitter, teacher, or other roles that involve children. Do you love arts and crafts? You can set up a shop to sell your creations in the neighbourhood. While at home, you can think about what your business name and logo might be, and put together advertising on posters or online. There are a lot of people looking for these services, and you have a lot to offer!

    Being at home does not mean there is nothing you can do to get ready for jobs in the future. There are lots of ways to practice or even perform different lines of work without even leaving your room. Start thinking about jobs you are interested in and how they might relate to things you can do around the house, online, or in the neighbourhood. Even if you are not making any money, you will gain very useful experience and a better understanding of what you are good at and what you want to do. Start practicing today!

    Sources

    How to Make Money as a Kid. “200+ Ways to Make Money as a Kid.” https://www.howtomakemoneyasakid.com/ways-to-make-money-as-a-kid/

    Rosen, Peg. “6 Tips for Developing Job Skills at Home.” Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/teens-tweens/first-jobs/6-tips-for-developing-job-skills-at-home

  • Inspiring Movies that Cover Extraordinary Real Life People that have Accomplished Great Things

    Inspiring Movies that Cover Extraordinary Real Life People that have Accomplished Great Things

    Have you ever felt unmotivated or thought, “I’m only one person, I can’t make that big of a difference.”? Most of us have at some point. Next time you catch yourself feeling this way, re-visit JPD! Movies are a great way to become inspired, and here are short descriptions of some of the most inspiring movies about people, just like you and I, who have made great strides in our history or within their own lives:

    The Pursuit of Happiness is a great, inspirational movie that will motivate you to never give up. Starring Will Smith as Christopher Gardner, this film relays Gardner’s struggle with money and divorce. Throughout the movie, Gardner faces struggle after struggle with losing even more money than he was earning through investments, and eventually, it begins to negatively impact his family, and he is forced to leave his home. After seeing how accomplished Gardner turned out to be after all that struggle will inspire viewers greatly. The message is that no matter the hardship you face, you too can be successful with hard work and positivity.

    Coach Carter is another inspirational movie starring a determined and driven character, Coach Ken Carter. In this movie, Ken decides to coach a basketball team from the “wrong side of the tracks”. The behaviour of the players caused coach Carter to become frustrated and impatient with them quickly, but with an optimistic mindset and a lot of motivation, he was able to push them to the finals, winning every game in their season.

    Steve Jobs is a well-known, modern movie that stars Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs. Jobs was immensely successful in his 56 years in the world. After his death, the cast and crew came together to commemorate his life and his success in this movie. Jobs had countless accomplishments throughout his life, but perhaps his biggest accomplishment was being the CEO, chairman and co-founder of Apple. Despite his big successes, Steve Jobs faced struggles before this. He dealt with cancer for over 10 years, struggled to launch Apple, along with other things described in this popular, inspirational movie.

    Hidden Figures is an excellent movie that depicts the adversity of racism and sexism, especially in the past. There are three main characters; Katherin, Dorothy and Mary, who are loosely based on real people. These characters face immense struggles with the society they were living in, yet they strived for their goals despite these challenges and were rewarded for their hard efforts, despite their race or gender. This movie gives viewers a clear glimpse into the past and how some people were forced to live because of the colour of their skin, and it shows how strong these 3 female leads were to succeed despite these challenges.

    Into the Wild is a commonly known movie about renewing oneself while exploring the wild. This movie is about Christopher McCandless. In 1990, he set out on an adventure with minimal supplies to survive the wild. He was only 22 when he started this journey to escape the hardships he was facing at home and in his life. His journey lasted approximately 2 years. However, during this time he found himself through Alaskan nature and surviving on his own for a long time. Since the non-fiction book and movie have been released, many people have travelled the same path he walked to find themselves and to figure out their lives as he did. However, the people who take this journey nowadays come much more prepared, and most don’t stay out for as long as McCandless did. This movie is inspirational and has inspired many people to take a risk and to be bold to find their love for themselves alone.

    Lastly, a movie that has inspired countless people is Blindside. This movie is about a homeless teenager named Michael who meets a family that takes him in and helps him to achieve his goals. They enroll him in school, help him with his interest in football and Michael goes on to be a very successful football player. This heartwarming movie is sure to make you feel motivated and inspired, just as Michael’s story has inspired others.

    References:

    1. https://dejareviewer.com/2016/06/07/the-glaring-omission-at-the-end-of-the-pursuit-of-happyness/
    2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/
    3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0393162/
    4. https://www.quora.com/What-did-Steve-Jobs-struggle-with-when-creating-Apple
    5. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-McCandless

    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0878804/

  • How We Can Transform the Food Industry for a Better World

    How We Can Transform the Food Industry for a Better World

    The food industry is as essential as it is chaotic. Servers and line cooks contend with demanding customers, hectic schedules, and severe job insecurity. The meat industry is becoming increasingly harmful to the planet due to carbon and methane emissions as a result of beef and other products. It is simply not sustainable. Now more than ever, we need more people entering the feed industry to find ways to improve it. There are many opportunities for you to find work in this field and make a difference.

    Restaurants and delivery services are fully dependent on servers and deliverers to get their product to customers. By working in one of these roles, or in another capacity such as a manager, you can help lead the way to better working conditions and treatment of these employees. When you see this work in action and are directly involved, you gain greater empathy for these workers that will translate into how you interact with them in your day-to-day life. You will be more likely to vote for politicians and measures that protect them, like wage increases, unionization, and better benefits. These small but significant changes can help transform companies to have improved principles and practices.

    Western society still relies greatly on unhealthy processed foods and a harmful, unethical meat industry. Becoming a chef or farmer will give you greater control over the ingredients and meals that go on people’s plates. As a chef, you can prepare more vegetarian or vegan meals that will have a smaller carbon footprint and do not result in devastating treatment of livestock and other animals. As a farmer, you can prepare healthier fruits, vegetables, and crops without the use of chemicals. Your work as a chef can take you to various restaurants or down the entrepreneurial route, whereas farmers can operate in rural and urban areas.

    A complex industry such as this one will require major change to come from high places. Food scientists study nutritional and chemical properties to help ensure safety. Food lawyers battle major corporations and factory farming on a grander scale in order to take on the greed and corruption that is found throughout corporate culture. Lobbyists and activists take this fight to the political realm in order to try and get those in positions of power to make legislative and cultural changes. These are not easy conflicts. But they are necessary ones to ensure an improved food industry in the years to come.

    What we eat and how it is prepared are just as important as the basic need for humans to eat. As technology evolves and we gain greater awareness of the challenges we face, we need more and more people taking active roles in the food industry. Each role is critical in its own unique way in helping to ensure a better work environment for servers, healthier food for consumers, and a sustainable world for generations to come. Take a look into the many different options you have to make a difference in this vast industry.

    Sources

    Doyle, Alison. “10 Cool Jobs in the Food Industry.” The Balance Careers. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cool-jobs-food-industry-2064051

    Knutson, Ariel. “15 Reasons Why Everyone Should Work in a Restaurant at Least Once in Their Lives.” Kitchn. https://www.thekitchn.com/this-is-why-everyone-should-have-to-work-in-a-restaurant-at-least-once-in-their-lives-life-in-the-kitchen-217897

  • The Importance of a GSA at Your School

    The Importance of a GSA at Your School

    By Erin Rebello

    You’ve probably heard of the term GSA and you probably have a GSA in your elementary or high school. But what is a GSA and what makes it so important and relevant? The term GSA stands for Gay Straight Alliance, and is used in reference to a club that supports members of the LGBTQ+. Although they’ve existed for a long time, you’ve probably seen a GSA pop up in your community in the more recent years. If you don’t identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you may be wondering what exactly a GSA does and why they’re so important, especially in this day and age.

    A GSA works to bridge the gap of understanding between cisgendered heterosexual individuals, and queer non-heterosexual individuals. Although we’re all humans, members of the queer community face issues that someone who is straight wouldn’t have to think twice about. It’s important to remember that gay marriage has only been legal in Canada since 2005, which is about 15 years ago. Meanwhile, in other countries such as India and parts of Africa, it’s still a crime (sometimes even punishable by death) to be in a same-sex relationship! Even in developed countries like the US, there are states that may not exclusively ban gay marriage, but also do not have exclusive laws in place to prevent queer individuals from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. GSAs help to bring awareness to the issues that members of the LGBTQ+ community face on a regular basis.

    Another reason why a GSA is important in schools is the fact that it offers a sense of security and belonging to its members. Although we’ve come a long way, the LGBTQ+ community is still marginalized in many ways. Be it through a lack of representation in the media or the absence of crucial rights, there are many aspects of culture that straight and cisgendered people take for granted. As well, it’s important to note that not everyone has parents who are supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Some parents may not be openly homophobic, but also may not be accepting if their child were to come out as homosexual or non-cisgendered. As a result, there are a lot of closeted queer youth who cannot open up to their parents and instead seek support among their peers in a GSA. Gay Straight Alliance clubs in schools and communties offer a much-needed safe-space for LGBTQ+ youth.

    Finally, GSAs also do a lot of good for the LGBTQ+ community both locally and on a larger scale. For example, the GSA at my school has a special GSA spirit week every year which involves many festivities that spread awareness locally and raise money for larger LGBTQ+ organizations. Every day, there would be a special event that worked to spread awareness within the school community, as well a fundraising opportunity for charities that work to help marginalized queer youth. In this way, the GSA did a lot of good not only for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the school, but also on a more global scale.

    Even though we’ve come a very long way from 60 years ago, there are still many issues that members of the LGBTQ+ face that straight individuals simply couldn’t understand. For that reason, it’s crucial to have a club like a GSA that allows for open dialogue between the two parties in order to provide fair and safe opportunities to marginalized communities like the LGBTQ+ community.

  • Overcoming Barriers to Education: Now and the Future

    Overcoming Barriers to Education: Now and the Future

    By Erin Rebello

    School is a great learning environment; it allows you to meet new people, experience different things, and follow your passions. As awesome as school may be, for some students it can seem quite the opposite. There are many barriers that can hold you down negatively while in school, however there are just as many reasons to stick through it for an education.

    The first of many barriers to an education would be finances. In this day and age, it’s very difficult to go through public high school without spending an exorbitant amount of money. From school supplies, to uniforms, to transportation and more, you’re going to end up spending a lot without noticing it. And that’s not even counting the cost of field trips and workshops! When you add it all up, going to school can be pricey! If you’re considering pursuing a higher education after high school, you’re probably going to be on the hook for a lot more cash. University can cost upwards of $6000 a year, with additional costs for textbooks, housing and meal plans. All in all, getting a full education can be a lot more than you ever thought.

    Although the sticker price can turn a lot of people away from pursuing an education, there are plenty of reasons to stay and also many ways to reduce the costs. For one, you might consider cheaper options. Instead of opting for a university farther away, you may opt for one close to where you live, where it would be easy to commute to. That way, you would be able to avoid having to pay for housing accommodations. You might also consider getting a job to help offset future university costs. By starting to save early, you’ll have a lot saved up and will have to pay significantly less in the future. As well, you should also think about applying for scholarships. Every year there are hundreds of scholarships that go unclaimed every year, simply because not enough people apply! Some scholarships require applications and essays, while others are automatically issued to you from the university if you have high grades (entrance scholarships). You should also talk to your parents, as their workplaces might offer scholarships to high-achieving children of employees. Utilizing these three ways, you can break down the financial barrier to education

    Another major barrier to education is the mental stress that it can put on a person. Although the school system works well for some people, it certainly isn’t built for everyone. As a result, many students feel left behind by the school system, and believe that it is harming them rather than helping them. Similarly, if you have a mental disorder or disability, it can seem that you aren’t being supported. One way to solve this problem is by talking to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor. With their help, you may be able to find the accommodations you require in certain classes, preventing school from putting too much stress on you at once. If there is no way to make accommodations, remember that you always have options of changing your program or level of study. For example, you might want to switch from academic science to applied science to better suit your needs. Be sure to discuss with your guidance counsellor before making any major changes!

    Although school has its ups and downs, and some days you might feel like it’s not worth it at all, remember that education is valuable, not only to getting a future job, but also to being an aware and educated citizen. There can be major barriers to an education, by overcoming these obstacles, you’ll be a stronger p

  • Career Profile: Ski Lift Mechanic

    Career Profile: Ski Lift Mechanic

    During the winter, many people like to go skiing in the mountains. Walking up the hills would be difficult or even impossible in many cases, but using a ski lift helps people to get up to the top so that they can enjoy coming down. Ski lift mechanics help make that possible.

    Mechanics learn to fix problems with all kinds of machines. A ski lift is different from a car or a truck, but many of the principles are the same. Ski lift mechanics install, maintain, and repair ski lifts, including the cars, the wires, and the motors that keep the lifts running. The skiing season is only during the months with snow, but ski lift mechanics can work all year, doing major repairs in summer and fall and doing regular maintenance during the winter.

    Working in this job requires an ability to work in all kinds of weather, often high off the ground. Having a good ability to balance on narrow beams and to do precise work, even with cold fingers, is important. Ski lift mechanics should be able to drive snowmobiles, trucks, and other vehicles. Being able to work alone is helpful, but people in this field also often need to work with other employees and to be able to follow or give instructions. When a ski lift breaks down, the mechanic might also need to keep passengers on the lift calm and to be able to give concise and accurate information.

    Wages for this work generally start at about $24 per hour or almost $52,000 per year and can rise to $60 per hour or more than $125,000 per year. Job prospects in this field are limited since Canada has only a few areas with mountains high enough for ski lifts. Most of the jobs are in Alberta and British Columbia, but a few could also be in other parts of the country. For example, Manitoba has a few places with downhill skiing, and the other provinces and territories might also have opportunities.

    Most employers require at least a high school education for their employees in this field. Apprenticing as a millwright or a related trade can also be very helpful for learning the necessary skills. Many of these apprenticeships take three or four years to complete, with both on-the-job and classroom training. Knowing the regulations for this kind of work is very important, since ski lifts carry people at great heights, and passengers can be killed if any mechanical problems cause the lift to fall. Even being stuck on the lift for a long time could be very stressful for many people.

    Ski lift mechanics should enjoy working with their hands and solving problems. The work can be physically difficult, and  Still, the skills that they learn can be useful in many other trades. If you think that the work sounds interesting, you might want to consider this career. Then you could help people have fun and keep them safe at the same time.

    Bibliography:

    Go2HR. “Career Summary: Lift Mechanic.” https://www.go2hr.ca/career-summary/lift-mechanic.

    Payscale. “Elevator Mechanic.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Elevator_Mechanic/Hourly_Rate.

    Technical Standards and Safety Authority. “Ski Lift Mechanic Certification.” https://www.tssa.org/en/ski-lifts/ski-lift-mechanic-certification.aspx.

    Zippia. “How to Become a Ski Lift Mechanic.” https://www.zippia.com/ski-lift-mechanic-jobs/.

    Zip Recruiter. “Ski Lift Mechanic Salary.” https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Ski-Lift-Mechanic-Salary.

  • Career Profile: Precision Metal Fabricator

    Career Profile: Precision Metal Fabricator

    If you look around any building, you can see many metal objects. Door handles, cabinet handles, car parts, and even picture frames can be made of metal. People who work as precision metal fabricators help to make these metal parts. If you are comfortable working with machines and enjoy making things with your hands, you should consider this field.

    Working as a precision metal fabricator involves cutting and shaping metal. Being able to read and use blueprints and to make mathematical calculations is essential for the work. Welding, cutting, and operating a forklift are part of the job. Working with sharp metals and cutting or welding machines can be dangerous, and a knowledge of emergency First Aid is very useful, and necessary in this job.

    Often, people in this trade work indoors in factories or manufacturing plants, but they can also work on construction sites and even for private clients. Wages start at just under $17 an hour or about $29,000 a year and can rise to almost $33 per hour or $65,000 a year. Normally, the work is full time, but it can depend on the strength of the economy and how many people are looking for new houses or metal cabinets or other objects containing metal.

    Becoming a precision metal fabricator involves completing an apprenticeship of 7280 hours of on-the-job training and three sessions of in-class training that are each eight weeks long. Certification is voluntary, and people with work experience can apply for a Trade Equivalency Assessment. Experience is always very important in the trades, and if you have a friend or relative who can show you how the work is done, that could help you get a good start. In school, taking mathematics or shop classes could help you learn some of the skills you need.

    Being good with your hands is essential to working as a precision metal fabricator. Patience and the ability to work through problems and to follow instructions are important. Taking English classes to learn to read and write complicated documents can be helpful. Many precision metal fabricators work with other people, but sometimes they work on their own and should be able to deal with accounting and helping customers.

    Depending on where they work, precision metal fabricators might have to deal with very different conditions. The hours can be long in the middle of projects, but the job can be very quiet at certain times of the year, especially for anyone involved in construction. In areas of the country with cold winters, precision metal fabricators might want to find other work during the cold season, such as working as a boilermaker or pipefitter, since these jobs require many of the same skills. Cuts, burns, and other injuries are common in this trade, and people should prepare to take time off work to recover if necessary.

    Working as a precision metal fabricator can be an interesting and rewarding job for people who enjoy working with their hands, often on small details. If this describes you, this career might be a good choice.

    Bibliography:

    British Columbia Institute of Technology. “Metal Fabrication.” https://www.bcit.ca/study/programs/metalfabrication.

    Neuvoo. “Metal Fabricator Salary.” https://neuvoo.ca/salary/?job=Metal%20Fabricator.

    Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. “Precision Metal Fabricator.” https://oyap.com/trades/?fuseaction=Profile&appnum=087

    Payscale. “Metal Fabricator Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Metal_Fabricator/Hourly_Rate.

  • Career Profile: Industrial Mechanic Millwright

    Career Profile: Industrial Mechanic Millwright

    Every time you turn a doorknob or use a lamp, you are using something that came at least in part from a factory. Workers in factories and small shops make all kinds of products that people use every day. To do their work, they need machines that cut or fit the parts together. The work of industrial mechanics or millwrights can help to make all of this work possible.

    Industrial mechanics, also called millwrights, help to install and repair all kinds of machinery and equipment. Sometimes, they make the parts that they need to build or repair other machines. Making foundations for the machines or getting other people to build the foundations is also something that an industrial mechanic or millwright might do. Part of the work is maintenance, involving oiling moving parts or replacing anything that is broken.

    Assembling machines is often one of the first steps, and workers in this job should be able to follow instructions and read blueprints. It is important to know how the different parts can break or problems occur, since people in this trade often repair various kinds of machines. One way to learn about these kinds of procedures is through an apprenticeship or through taking courses at a trade school. The basic requirement for this work is a Grade 12 education, but extra training can give people more opportunities.

    It is a good idea to start preparing for this job in high school. English courses help improve reading and writing skills, which are useful abilities for reading instruction manuals and other documents. Mathematics courses can help students gain the background they need to program machines and to calculate the amount of material they will need for each job.

    An ability to use welding equipment and other tools is essential in this job. Industrial mechanics should be good with their hands and be able to lift heavy objects. Having good eyesight helps, although people with glasses can also work in this job. An ability to think creatively is useful, since sometimes the trouble with a machine might not be obvious. It is important to be quite physically fit and to be able to stand for long hours in one place if necessary.

    Generally, these tradespeople work regular daytime hours, normally full time, but they might sometimes need to work in the evenings or on weekends to solve problems with the equipment. Factories are the most common places where these tradespeople work, but small shops and other businesses might also be possibilities. Working for private customers is also possible. Wages start at about $32 per hour and rise to about $39, but many people might find the work too difficult as they get older. Job prospects are not very good these days, but as older workers retire, the availability of work could increase.

    Working as an industrial mechanic or millwright is a good choice for people who like to make things with their hands. It could be the right choice for you. Why not consider this job for your future?

    Bibliography:

    ALIS. “Industrial Mechanic (Millwright).” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/industrial-mechanic-millwright/.

    Careers in Construction. “Construction Million/Industrial Mechanic.” https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/career/construction-millwrightindustrial-mechanic.

    Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology. “industrial Mechanic/Millwright.” http://mitt.ca/programs/post-secondary-programs/41/industrial-mechanic-millwright.

    Skills Canada. “Industrial Mechanic/Millwright.” https://www.skillscompetencescanada.com/en/skills/manufacturing-engineering/industrial-mechanics-millwright/.