It takes more than muscle to move or install machinery and heavy equipment. Become an apprentice and learn hands on.
Maintenance Mechanic?Millwright Image
Maintenance Mechanic/Millwright Apprenticeship
Program Number: 504231
Your Degree: Apprenticeship
Estimated Time to Complete: 17 Credits | Finish paid training and class time in 4 years
Delivery Method: Some Online/Some In Person
Area of Study: Construction, Manufacturing and Maintenance
Estimated Program Cost: $3,336.79
View Tuition and Fees
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

  • Program Overview

    Work Description

    Maintenance mechanics and millwrights install, dismantle or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints or other drawings. They keep machines, mechanical equipment or the structure of an establishment in repair. Duties may involve pipefitting, boilermaking, insulating, welding, machining, carpentry, repairing electrical or mechanical equipment, installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment, and repairing buildings, floors or stairs.

    Working Conditions

    Maintenance mechanics and millwrights employed in manufacturing often work in a typical factory shop setting and use protective equipment such as safety belts, protective glasses and hard hats to avoid common hazards. 

    Training

    • 4-year training program
    • 8,000 hours of on-the-job training
    • 576 hours of paid related instruction
    • Apprentice must complete Red Cross First Aid, CPR and Transition-To-Trainer Courses

    Classroom instruction is given in mathematics, blueprint reading, hydraulics, electricity, computers and electronics.

    Learn more from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

    Program Details

    Maintenance Mechanic/Millwright Apprenticeship classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - Truax
    Teacher demonstrating to student at bench grinder in machine tool classroom

  • Program Courses

    Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester. 

    Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.

    First Semester
    10-462-108
    Green Awareness for Maintenance
    Green Awareness for Maintenance orients technicians in the maintenance disciplines to the environmental impacts of their work. The course examines the economic incentives and barriers to lessening the environmental impacts of a range of industries through the adoption of green technologies. It examines the significant role that the efficient sourcing, use, and conservation of energy plays in meeting the environmental impact objectives of the maintenance disciplines. The expanding role of electronic, software, and cloud-based control of industrial systems to minimize environmental impacts is reviewed in detail. Finally, strategies to investigate failures of systems to achieve environmental best practices are explored pursuant to continuous improvement in the performance of engineered systems.
    1 credit
    10-606-201
    Interpreting Engineering Drawings Part A
    Basic principles of engineering drawings and manufacturing procedures. Through interpretation and sketching, students learn to visualize the part, section or assembly. Uses drawings pertinent to the trades with examples in Welding, Facilities, Piping and Instrumentation (P & ID’s), Sheet Metal, Equipment Manuals (technical documents, installation/repair manuals), Electrical Symbols, and Fluid Power Symbols.
    1 credit
    32-423-714
    Rigging for MMMP Trades
    Apprentices will compare types of rigging equipment and their uses; determine safe loads, rig and crib loads, and move a load with cranes and hoists in this course. This course was formerly the C-5 module for related instruction in the MMMP apprenticeship.
    1 credit
    Second Semester
    10-601-304
    Industrial Fluid Distribution Systems
    Covers installation and repair of fluidic systems. Includes fittings, thread cutting, pipe sweating, roll grooving, solder, brazing, plastic cementing, repair equipment and tools. Pumps, valves, water supply systems, and fire protection distribution systems are covered.
    2 credits
    Third Semester
    10-462-106
    Mechanisms 1 for Industry
    This course is an introduction to the mechanical systems, with lab exercises in safety procedures, Lock-out Tag-out (LOTO), key and setscrew fasteners, speed and torque measurements, efficiencies, shafts and pillow block, shaft alignment, flexible and rigid motor soft foot detection and correction. The course will survey precision measurement, lubrication, bearing types and applications, vibration analysis, and fasteners.
    1 credit
    10-462-107
    Mechanisms 2 for Industry
    Studies basic principles of physics specific to electro-mechanical systems. Emphasizes measurement, lubrication, energy, power, machines and fluid and chemical properties, as well as installation, timing and synchronization of machine drive components. Includes hands-on disassembly and assembly of industrial components.
    1 credit
    Fourth Semester
    10-462-104
    Fluid Power 1 for Industry
    Provides students with the fundamentals of fluid power (hydraulic and pneumatic) and a considerable literacy in the principles of pneumatics and hydraulics. Students will attain an understanding of basic pneumatics principles and practical circuits applying the recently learned principles. The course is intended to gain a general understanding of components and terminology as well as principles and functions. This course has a heavy emphasis on recognizing fluid power components, component symbols, units, equations, and terminology.
    1 credit
    10-462-109
    Maintenance Operations 1
    This course provides an understanding of how an organization or plant can improve how they do maintenance, how to keep their equipment running longer, and create a more efficient and streamlined structure so they can be competitive in today's market. Various case studies will be studied, showing the value of maintenance management within any size organization and the pitfalls that may be encountered during TPM implementation and how to avoid or correct these problems.
    1 credit
    Fifth Semester
    31-804-379
    Vocational Math 1
    Vocational Mathematics 1 is a review of basic mathematics that consists of an introduction to using a scientific calculator, order of operations, fractions, decimals, use of percentage, units of measurement including the metric system, the reading of analog instruments for length measurement, and practical plane geometry.
    1 credit
    32-420-349
    Basic Metrology (Part A)
    This course introduces the principles of basic dimensional measurement, layout techniques for machines, use of direct and indirect measuring tools as well as the use of length standards relative to calibration of measuring instruments and the basic operation of the Coordinate Measuring Machine.
    1 credit
    Sixth Semester
    32-420-390
    Fundamentals of Metallurgy
    Introduces metallurgy, emphasizing applications, selection, identification methods and alloy influences. Studies metal properties using testing, micro-structure interpretation and heat-treatment processes. Covers tool steels, weld heat effects, failure analysis and machinability variations in cast iron, alloy steels and non-ferrous materials in detail.
    2 credits
    Seventh Semester
    10-462-105
    Fluid Power 2 for Industry
    Intended to develop an understanding of basic Fluid Power Circuits. Covers the application of basic fluid power systems to various machines along with maintenance and troubleshooting. The maintaining and design considerations of both hydraulic and pneumatic systems will be explored in this course with an emphasis on component selection and circuit efficiencies.
    2 credits
    Eighth Semester
    10-457-100
    Metal Repair Techniques
    This course covers safety, layout and measurement, grinding, drill press, lathe operation, filing, threading, properties of metals, oxy-acetylene welding, brazing and cutting, and SMAW, GMAW and FCAW.
    2 credits

  • How to Apply

    1. Secure an Apprenticeship Position

    To get started, you'll need to secure an apprenticeship position with a sponsoring employer. Think of it like applying for a job. You'll apply directly with employers who are hiring apprentices.

    2. Apply to Madison College

    After you secure an apprenticeship position, apply to the apprenticeship program at Madison College. 

    Application Dates

    • Fall 2027 Application Open
    • The application deadline is August 15, 2027

    3. Complete the Apprenticeship Contract

    Your sponsoring employer will work with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to complete the apprenticeship registration process.

    4. Get Ready to Start Classes

    Once Madison College receives your apprenticeship contract, you'll be admitted into the program and contacted with next steps. 

School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, C2433

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

schoolofstem@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6990

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm (Phone and email only.)