
Manufacturing in Canada has seen a decline in the past year, however, there are positive signs of stabilization and adjustment ahead. The USMCA (the United States Mexico Canada Agreement) holds hope that the Canadian economy will stabilize in the upcoming year. With this eventual upward trend in mind, learning a skilled trade is a great way to ensure you remain in demand. Skilled disciplines such as welding, millwrights, welders and electricians with experience are always in demand and sought after by Canadian manufacturing companies.
There are many paths you can take to get into a skilled trade, and we recommend that you work backwards – in other words, what do tasks and skills you want to be working with on a daily basis, then find the position that matches it best. Innovative Automation encourages our team to be constantly evolving and growing their skill sets based on your goals.
Popular Canadian Manufacturing Career Paths
Many of the top career paths in the manufacturing industry allow workers to work on a variety of tasks in the day and use a wide range of skills, both learned on the job and in school. With some positions, such as mechanical designers, it’s rare for each day to be the same, as tasks change with the project. Read on to learn more about the top Canadian manufacturing career paths you can take.
Mechanical Designer
In this position, a mechanical designer is often in charge of both the design and supervision of the manufacturing process. You could work on a very wide range of products depending on the sector you go into, from complex parts, medical devices, to automotive manufacturing.
This position includes responsibility for a range of tasks including development and testing, project management, daily problem solving and research. Much of your day will be spent working on computers and communicating with your team.
Controls Programmer
A controls programmer is responsible for the creation of electrical and control systems, modifying existing systems to meet requirements, and troubleshooting and diagnosing software and related automation.
Those who excel in this position have a keen attention to detail, analytical skills and are highly proficient in problem-solving. Team collaboration and communication are essential too.
Machinist
A machinist in the manufacturing industry works to create metal parts that can then be used within larger systems or be used as tools. Specialized industrial tools and automated smart machines are utilized for these tasks.
A machinist will use a wide range of tools and methods such as blueprint reading and CAD design, or specialized tools like lasers.
Electrician
An electrician in the manufacturing industry is responsible for the installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of electrical equipment and associated electrical controls. Working individually or as part of a larger team, you may find yourself employed by a wide range of manufacturing companies.
Going into this field with the intention of evolving your skills and developing your experience will make you sought after. Like many skilled trades there is a skills gap in the electrical field and a prime opportunity to advance your career.
Welder
According to Randstad, the top Canadian manufacturing job is welding, and has kept this top place for three years running. While becoming a welder can get you experience and jobs in the manufacturing industry, taking it one step further and getting a certification in MIG or TIG welding opens up a new range of opportunities.
In an automation manufacturing company like Innovative Automation you will be working with a larger team on a variety of projects, helping to craft products on a line, or assisting in development.
Manufacturing Careers in Canada
The manufacturing industry in Ontario, and all of Canada, is always looking for skilled workers, choosing a career path in one of these fields can lead to an exciting and challenging work environment. Choosing skills to add onto your base education can lead to increased demand, Randstad reports that blueprint reading, quality control and micrometers are hot skills to add to your resume.Check in with our open positions to see what Innovative Automation is looking for, or reach out for more information on how we can work together.