UBC Millwright Local 1460 Alberta Announces Major Transformation of Training Centre into Western Canadian Millwright College
Edmonton, AB – UBC Millwright Local 1460 Alberta and the Millwright Regional Council (MRC) are proud to announce a significant milestone in its commitment to excellence in training and professional development. Beginning in August 2025, the Local’s training centre will undergo a major transformation, becoming the Western Canadian Millwright College (WCMC); a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preparing the next generation of millwrights with advanced equipment, modernized spaces, and an expanded curriculum.
On April 12, 2025, Local 1460 officially received accreditation to instruct the Industrial Mechanic trade. This certification marks the beginning of a multi-year plan to deliver training from First Period through to Red Seal certification, with inaugural First Period courses anticipated to launch in early 2026.
To facilitate these upgrades, the training centre will temporarily close in August, with renovations expected to continue through to the new year. During this time, critical training needed for dispatch of Local 1460 millwrights will continue.
The announcement of WCMC will take centre stage during the National Apprenticeship Competition, hosted in Edmonton from September 25–27, 2025. This event will celebrate the skill and dedication of apprentices from across the country and highlight the new direction for millwright training in Western Canada.
“This transformation is about more than new walls and equipment—it’s about investing in the future of our trade and our members.” Said Millwright Regional Council EST Mark Beardsworth. “The Western Canadian Millwright College will set a benchmark for training excellence that keeps pace with industry demands and prepares millwrights for the evolving technologies and complexities of modern industrial work.”
In line with its vision to broaden industrial mechanic capabilities under the STAE Act, Local 1460 has also made a significant investment in welding training. A 42-foot trailer, retrofitted with six welding booths and exhaust systems has arrived from Ontario. This mobile training unit will serve both as a practical training hub and as a moving symbol of the union’s ongoing innovation and strength.
“We are building more than a college — we are setting a new standard for our trade,” said William McLeod, Business Manager & Director of Training for Local 1460. “This transformation reflects the hard work and dedication of our members and will ensure we remain leaders in the field.”
About the Millwright Regional Council
The Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is composed of twelve affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) across Canada. The UBC Millwrights are vital partners in diverse industries such as energy, automotive, aerospace, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. ubcmillwrights.ca
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Bredin
Director of Communications
Millwright Regional Council
416-757-5161
abredin@ubcmillwrights.ca
