Mike Handford
About Mike Handford
Mike Handford is a skilled millwright with extensive experience in the wood products and coal mining industries. He currently works at Westmoreland Coal Company and has a strong background in mechanical systems and maintenance management.
Work at Canfor
Mike Handford has been employed at Canfor as a Millwright since 2015. He has accumulated nine years of experience in this role, specifically at the Vavenby location in British Columbia, Canada. His responsibilities include maintaining and repairing machinery to ensure efficient operations within the wood products industry.
Work at Westmoreland Coal Company
Since 2019, Mike Handford has also worked as a Millwright at Westmoreland Coal Company, contributing five years of service at the Coal Valley Mine. In this position, he applies his technical skills to support the maintenance of mining equipment, ensuring reliability and safety in coal production.
Education and Expertise
Mike Handford's educational background includes studying at Grant Macewan College, where he achieved a Music Performance, General degree from 1991 to 1992. He furthered his technical education at NAIT, earning a Millwright certification with an interprovincial Red Seal from 2009 to 2012. Additionally, he studied at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus from 1988 to 1991.
Background in Mechanical Skills
Mike Handford grew up in a family with a strong mechanical background. His father served as an aeroengine technician in the RCAF, and both of his brothers are journeyman automotive mechanics. This upbringing has influenced his career path and technical skills, leading him to build computers and develop a keen interest in maintenance management systems.
Professional Experience in the Wood Products Industry
Prior to his current roles, Mike Handford worked at Weyerhaeuser for a total of 15 years, initially as an Operator from 1998 to 2008 and later as a Millwright from 2008 to 2013 in Edson, Alberta. His extensive experience in the wood products industry has equipped him with a diverse skill set, including training in oilfield compression, diesel and natural gas engines, and PLC ladder logic.