Technicians

This group of jobs includes a wide range of positions that provide petroleum-related technical support to technologists and professionals in a related discipline. Work involves the installation, operation, servicing, monitoring, troubleshooting and fixing of equipment used in the upstream petroleum industry.

If you have the following skills, interests and abilities a career as a Technician might be for you:

• Enjoy the earth sciences.
• Like working with computers and maps.
• Have an eye for visual presentation in order to display complex, diverse characteristics on various maps.
• Able to synthesize data from various sources in a way that makes sense to those who will use the information.
• Able to work well in a team as large complex projects integrate many disciplines.

Education

Technicians may take anywhere from a few related courses to specialized or technical college coursework to become eligible for certification. Technician qualifications may also include meeting certification standards that are set by a recognized Canadian technical association, or in some cases, provincial bodies for apprenticeships.

Technician certification may be granted by provincial associations of Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). Typical certifications include:

• Certified Technician (CTech),
• Certified Technologist (C.E.T.),
• Registered Engineering Technologist (R.E.T.), and
• Registered Professional Technologist - Engineering (R.P.T. (Eng)).

Credentials are transferable across Canada and are now recognized under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), making mobility between Canada and the US possible. In many cases, technicians may also transfer credentials overseas.

Career Paths

Workers can get started at a junior or training level, without any previous experience. Advancement is based on gaining work experience and competencies.

At Work

• Many of these jobs work primarily in the field - sometimes in remote locations - and may require frequent travel to project sites.
• Safety-sensitive positions have stringent requirements related to being drug and alcohol free.

Quick Tips & Additional Resources:

• Sharpen skills and knowledge in areas such as mathematics, chemistry, physics and computer science.
• Participate in National Technology Week [link to www.cctt.ca] which is held annually during November and offers a host of activities along with interactive and fun resources to explore technical careers.
• Check out websites of industry and professional associations such as the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists.
• Read issues of the magazines: Electricity Today, Electrical Source and Electrical Construction and Maintenance
• Check out the student section on the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists site.
• Check out Careers in Newfoundland and Labrador's oil and gas industry.
• Check out the Trucking Careers website for information and links to trucking career resources, publications and associations and the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council for information on national standards for professional drivers, dispatchers and other related roles.
• Check out the Canadian Oilfield Service & Supply Directory, transportation category.
• Find out more about seismic technician occupations (e.g. Observers) by reviewing the career brochures and videos on the Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors site.