National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
224 - Technical occupations in electronics and electrical engineering
2241 - Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians may work independently or provide technical support and services in the design, development, testing, production and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems. They are employed by electrical utilities, communications companies, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, consulting firms, and in governments and a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries.
Illustrative example(s)
- communications technologist
- electrical engineering technician
- electrical engineering technologist
- electricity distribution network technologist
- electronics design technologist
- electronics engineering technician
- electronics engineering technologist
- electronics manufacturing technician
- electronics manufacturing technologist
- lighting technologist
- metering technologist
- microwave maintenance technician
- production support technician - electronics manufacturing
Exclusion(s)
- Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (2244)
- Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) (2242)
- Engineering managers (0211)
- Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics (2243)
- Manufacturing managers (0911)
- Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade (6221)
Main duties
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Design, develop and test power equipment and systems, industrial process control systems, telecommunication, broadcast, recording and audiovisual systems, micro-electronic systems and circuits, computers, computer systems and networks, and computer software
- Supervise the building and testing of prototypes according to general instructions and established standards
- Conduct or supervise the installation, commissioning, and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems other than aircraft electronics or instruments
- Carry out applied research in fields of electrical and electronic engineering and physics under the direction of scientists or engineers
- Set up and operate specialized and standard test equipment to diagnose, test and analyze the performance of electrical and electronic components, assemblies and systems
- Write specifications, schedules and technical reports and control schedules and budgets.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assist in the design, development and testing of electrical and electronic components, equipment, and systems
- Assist in inspection, testing, adjusting and evaluation of incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Conduct life tests (burn-ins) on assemblies and record and analyze results
- Assist in building and testing prototypes to specifications
- Carry out a limited range of technical functions in support of research in electrical and electronic engineering and physics
- Install, operate and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and systems
- Calibrate electrical or electronic equipment and instruments according to technical manuals and written instructions
- Collect and compile operational or experimental data and assist in the preparation of estimates, schedules, budgets, specifications and reports.
Employment requirements
- Completion of a two- or three-year college program in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent is usually required for electrical or electronics engineering technologists.
- Completion of a one- or two-year college program in electrical or electronics engineering technology is usually required for electrical or electronics engineering technicians.
- 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 for some positions.
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
- In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Additional information
- There is mobility to other related occupations such as technical sales, electronics service technicians, instrument technicians and avionics technicians.
- Progression to managerial positions in engineering, production or operations is possible with experience.
2242 - Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
Electronic service technicians service and repair household and business electronic equipment such as audio and video systems, computers and peripherals, office equipment and other consumer electronic equipment and assemblies. They are employed by electronic service and retail establishments, by wholesale distributors and within service departments of electronic manufacturing companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- alarm system technician
- audio-video service technician
- computer service technician
- electronic service technician apprentice
- electronic service technician supervisor
- field service technician, electronic products
- office equipment service technician
- photocopy machine technician
- radio and television service technician
- satellite antenna servicer
Exclusion(s)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241)
- Telecommunications installation and repair workers (7246)
Main duties
Electronic service technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
- Install, maintain and repair household and business electronic equipment, such as televisions, radios, video cassette recorders, stereo equipment, photocopiers, computers and peripherals
- Inspect and test electronic equipment, components and assemblies using multimeters, circuit testers, oscilloscopes, logic probes and other electronic test instruments, tools and equipment
- Diagnose and locate circuit, component and equipment faults
- Adjust, align, replace or repair electronic equipment, assemblies and components following equipment manuals and schematics, and using soldering tools and other hand and power tools
- Complete work orders, test and maintenance reports
- May supervise other electronic equipment service technicians.
Employment requirements
- Completion of a two- to three-year college program in electronics
or
Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program in electronic servicing and repair
or
Completion of high school or college courses in electronics and on-the-job training is required. - Trade certification for electronics technicians (consumer products) is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, British Columbia and the Yukon.
- Completion of a two- to three-year college program in electronics
Additional information
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
2243 - Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics repair, maintain, calibrate, adjust, and install industrial measuring and controlling instrumentation. They are employed by pulp and paper processing companies, nuclear and hydro power generating companies, mining, petrochemical and natural gas companies, industrial instrument and other manufacturing companies, and by industrial instrument servicing establishments.
Illustrative example(s)
- apprentice industrial instrument mechanic
- industrial instrument mechanic
- instrument technician, industrial
- instrumentation technician, industrial
- process control equipment mechanic
Exclusion(s)
- Aircraft instrument technicians (See 2244 Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241)
- Industrial mechanics (See 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics)
Main duties
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:
- Consult manufacturer's manuals, circuit diagrams and blueprints to determine tests and maintenance procedures for instruments used for measuring and controlling flow, level, pressure, temperature, chemical composition and other variables in manufacturing and processing
- Inspect and test operation of instruments and systems to diagnose faults using pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices and precision measuring instruments
- Repair and adjust system components, such as sensors, transmitters and programmable logic controllers, or remove and replace defective parts
- Calibrate components and instruments according to manufacturers' specifications
- Perform scheduled preventive maintenance work and complete test and maintenance reports
- Install control and measurement instruments on existing and new plant equipment and processes
- Consult with and advise process operators.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four- or five-year apprenticeship program in industrial instrument repair
or
Completion of a two-year college program in industrial instrumentation technology and several years of work experience are usually required for trade certification. - Instrumentation and control technician trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories, except in Quebec.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified instrumentation and control technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Additional information
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
2244 - Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
This unit group includes mechanics and technicians who install, adjust, repair and overhaul aircraft instrument, electrical or avionics systems on aircraft. This unit group also includes avionics inspectors who inspect instrument, electrical and avionics systems following assembly, modification, repair or overhaul. Workers in this unit group are employed by aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul establishments and by airlines and other aircraft operators.
Illustrative example(s)
- aircraft electrical technician
- aircraft electrician
- aircraft instrument mechanic
- aircraft instrument technician
- aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) - avionics
- avionics maintenance technician
- avionics technician
- inspector, avionics
- instrument inspector, aircraft
- instrument overhaul and repair mechanic - avionics
Exclusion(s)
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors (9521)
- Aircraft mechanics and maintenance engineers who maintain and inspect aircraft structures, mechanical, hydraulic or propulsion systems (See 7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors)
- Airworthiness inspectors - government (See 2262 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers)
- Electrical mechanics (7333)
- Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics (2243)
Main duties
The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
- Aircraft instrument mechanics and technicians repair and overhaul, install, calibrate and test aircraft instruments.
- Aircraft electrical mechanics and technicians repair and overhaul, modify, install and test aircraft electrical systems and equipment.
- Avionics mechanics and technicians troubleshoot, repair and overhaul, test, modify, install and inspect aircraft electronic systems and components including communications, navigation, and autoflight equipment.
- Avionics inspectors inspect and test aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics systems and ensure that the installation, maintenance, repair and overhaul of these systems meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety.
Aircraft mechanics and technicians who work in repair and overhaul shops service and test electrical, electronic and instrument components.
Avionics mechanics and technicians who work in maintenance hangars troubleshoot, repair, install and inspect aircraft systems and components.
Employment requirements
- Aircraft instrument and avionics mechanics and technicians require completion of a two- to three-year college program in avionics or electronics.
- Aircraft electrical mechanics and technicians require completion of a college program as an electrical or electronic technician.
- Four years of on-the-job or company apprenticeship training is required for all mechanics and technicians in this unit group.
- Avionics inspectors require completion of a two- to three-year college program in avionics or electronics
and
Three to five years of experience as an avionics mechanic or technician. - Avionics inspectors, mechanics and technicians who sign maintenance releases and certify airworthiness require an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's (AME) licence (category E - avionics) issued by Transport Canada.
- Industry certification is available from the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council for some occupations in this unit group.
- In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Additional information
- Avionics inspectors, maintenance technicians and mechanics may acquire further endorsements to their AME licence allowing them to inspect and certify a broader range of aircraft and avionics systems.
- An AME licence can be obtained by fulfilling the education and training requirements as stated above and passing Transport Canada AME examinations.
- Progression to supervisory positions within specific areas of expertise is possible with experience.
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