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  2. Technicians and Technologists
  3. Electrical Technician and Technologist

Electrical Technician and Technologist

NOC #22310

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary diploma
  • Average salary $55,000 to $86,000

Career profile

Electrical technicians and technologists lay out, build, test, install, troubleshoot and repair electronic components, parts, equipment, and systems, such as computer equipment, control instrumentation, and instrumentation panels in the oil and gas industry. They usually work under the direction of engineering staff.

Typical roles in this occupation include:

  • Electrical project technologists coordinate electrical upgrades to facilities, equipment and systems. They oversee the work of electrical engineering and construction contractors by scheduling work, procuring equipment and arranging electrical permits and inspections.
  • Electrical design technologists develop and analyze 2D and 3D computerized drawings based on sketches, notes, mark-ups and specifications provided by engineers, designers and surveyors. They design layouts, schematics, diagrams, schedules and installation details.
  • Electrical estimators prepare construction cost estimates for electrical materials, labour and equipment based on design drawings, specifications, bids, quotes and business needs.
  • Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Control (PLC) programmers program, test and troubleshoot process control equipment and system components. They repair, install, troubleshoot and maintain electronic, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical control systems.
Exploration and production, Offshore, Pipelines, Oil and gas services, Oil sands, Emissions reduction, Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Modular fabrication, Construction, Start-up and commissioning, Solar, Wind

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
  • Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
  • Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
  • Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.

Education

  • For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.

Certifications

  • Standard and emergency first aid
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements

Licensing

  • Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
  • A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification

  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding
  • Safety-sensitive environment

Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.

  • Computers and electronics
  • Public safety and security
  • Critical thinking
  • Installing equipment
  • Repairing machines and systems
  • Engineering and technology
  • Quality control analysis
  • Evaluating systems
  • Troubleshooting
  • Attention to detail