MILLWRIGHT INDUSTRY TRENDS AT A GLANCE

Demand is rising — and fast.
Employment for industrial machinery mechanics, maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034, which is more than four times the average for all occupations (3%).

Openings aren’t slowing down.
The industry is expected to see ~54,200 job openings each year, driven by both growth and the need to replace experienced workers leaving the workforce.

The labor gap is real…
The U.S. construction industry alone will need 349,000 additional workers in 2026 and 456,000 more in 2027 just to keep up with demand.

… and it’s only getting tighter.
Industry estimates suggest up to 1.4 million skilled trade roles could go unfilled by 2030 if workforce development doesn’t keep pace.

Apprenticeships are the pipeline.
Formal apprenticeship pathways remain one of the primary entry points into high-skill trades, combining technical instruction with long-term, on-the-job training to reach full proficiency.

Why it matters in the field.
Millwright work supports critical industrial systems where precision, uptime, and safety are non-negotiable. This makes trained, certified craft essential to delivering quality work the first time.

BUILDING CRAFT FROM WITHIN: NABHOLZ’S MILLWRIGHT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Developed to meet the growing needs of our industrial clients, Nabholz’s Millwright Apprenticeship combines structured coursework with real-world application. Participants complete a hybrid model of online learning and field-based training, working closely with their managers while building skills in areas like blueprint reading, precision measurement, hydraulics, materials, and equipment fundamentals. The result is not just experience, but a deeper understanding of the work and the standards required to do it right. The program is open to industrial craft across all locations, giving employees the opportunity to develop their skills while continuing to contribute in the field.

Since launching in February 2022, the program has continued to build momentum across our industrial operations. Today, 42 apprentices are enrolled across multiple locations, reflecting both the demand for skilled craft and the commitment from our teams to invest in their development.

A group of seven Nabholz employees recently reached a milestone that reflects both personal commitment and the future of our craft, graduating as the first class from our Millwright Apprenticeship Program. Their achievement represents years of hands-on work, technical training, and a willingness to take on one of the most demanding trades in the industrial space. From precision alignment and equipment installation to troubleshooting complex mechanical systems, millwrights play a critical role in keeping projects moving safely and efficiently. This first graduating class has built that foundation and set the standard for those who will follow.

What makes this milestone especially meaningful is the level of rigor behind it. The four-year program includes more than 8,000 hours of on-the-job training supported by structured coursework. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, the program follows a structured apprenticeship model that develops foundational industrial knowledge alongside specialized training paths, including options to focus in welding or CNC.

For the graduates, this program required more than just showing up. It meant balancing jobsite responsibilities with coursework, committing to long-term development, and investing in their own growth as craft professionals. That level of dedication is what drives our work forward and allows us to continue delivering for our clients and communities with a more capable workforce, built intentionally from within.

This first class represents more than a finish line. It marks the beginning of a stronger, more capable workforce, built intentionally from within.

WHY MILLWRIGHT TRAINING MATTERS

Millwright work often happens in high-risk, high-precision environments like industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, and mission-critical operations where tolerances are tight and downtime is costly. Whether it is equipment setting and alignment, supporting plant maintenance, or executing shutdowns and turnarounds, having trained, certified professionals in these roles directly impacts safety, quality, and schedule. It reduces rework, strengthens accountability, and ensures our teams are equipped to handle increasingly complex scopes.

That level of precision shows up in the field every day. On a recent project in Clinton, Illinois, our industrial team completed the assembly and installation of a large-scale gantry machining system. The work required coordinated heavy picks, structural assembly, and precise alignment across a long rail system with multiple workstations. Tolerances were tight, sequencing was critical, and every adjustment impacted the performance of the entire system. It is the kind of work that depends on trained craft who understand not just how to install equipment, but how to set it right the first time.

Learn more about Nabholz’s Millwright Apprenticeship Program here.

Explore our industrial career openings here.