Millwright mechanists specialize in fixing all equipment, from compressors, pumps, turbines, center fuses, gear boxes, the list goes on.
But what if you want to learn how to machine, or make, the original product?
“So, industrial machining is where we take raw stock, raw materials (such as) aluminum, steel, composites, plastics, stuff like that," said Del Mar College industrial machining instruction and program coordinator Dewey Clark.
Clark told us there is a high demand for industrial machinists, because its a skilled trade and not easily learned.
“So, where a mechanic has bolts and nuts and screws," he said. "And these components they will assemble, we are the ones that actually manufacture them."
In addition to machinery, industrial machinists use a variety of precision measuring tools like calipers, micrometers and gauges.
According to Del Mar College, overall employment is expected to grow 7-10 percent through 2030.
Erica Velasquez is a student at Del Mar College and told us she started in the millwright program and was introduced to what are referred to as the Computerized Numerical Control, or CNC, courses.
“The CNC — it has been new," said Velasquez. "It's different than actual machining on the mills, so it's pretty cool."
Del Mar College told us women make up 7.4 percent of workers in the industry.
For Velasquez, she said she didn’t know about the program and hopes it will help other women spark an interest in the field.
“Give it a try, it’s not as hard as it looks," said Velasquez. "It’s like any other class. Take some notes, pay attention, hands on, it's a lot of hands on and you’re in. It’s not that bad."
If you are interested in the program click here.
