The term “mill operator” is a bit of a misnomer because it can refer to a variety of jobs, but in general, this operator will be in charge of running a mill in a factory, warehouse, farm, or other industrial setting. Running mill machinery, reading plans and schematics, monitoring the progress of a milling job, maintaining raw materials and finished products that are then prepped for transport or sale, and even maintaining mill machinery are all responsibilities of the mill operator. In some cases, the operator is also responsible for performing machine maintenance and repairs.
Mill operators are commonly employed by steel rolling mills to operate various types of machinery used in the production of usable products. Work orders must be completed, inventory must be managed, and in some cases, other employees must be managed by the mill operator. Safety training is required for all operators to learn how to use emergency shut-off systems and other safety protocols. Hard hats, eye protection, ear protection, and, in some cases, gloves are all required to be worn at all times.
In modern industrial settings, computer training is also likely to be required. Many mill machines are controlled by computers, which the mill operator must set up and run correctly. Some machines do not run on computers, so computer training is not required. However, it is usually a wise decision to pursue computer training in order to expand one’s options within the industry. To perform well in this job, the mill operator must have basic math and communication skills, as well as be in reasonably good health to perform the physical duties of the job.
Though this isn’t always the case, becoming a mill operator isn’t difficult and doesn’t require a lot of education. Most operators only require a high school diploma or equivalent, and once that education is completed, he or she will need to attend job training at a vocational school or secure an apprenticeship to learn the necessary skills. A vocational school program can take up to two years or longer to complete, and once completed, a job candidate will be prepared to work as a mill operator. It’s possible that additional training or certification is required. An apprenticeship can last several years, during which time the employee will learn the necessary skills under the guidance and supervision of a more experienced operator.