National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3
2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
This category includes occupations in sciences, engineering, architecture and information technology.
These occupations require post-secondary education in an appropriate scientific or technical discipline. Progression from technical to professional occupations usually requires additional education.
22 - Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences
This major group comprises technical occupations in natural and applied sciences. It includes technologists and technicians working in the fields of physical science, life science, engineering, architecture, urban planning, land surveying, mathematics, statistics, and actuarial science; and as computer and information systems technicians.
221 - Technical occupations in physical sciences
This minor group includes chemical, geological and mineral technologists and technicians. They are employed by research and development and quality control laboratories; consulting geology and engineering firms, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, construction, petroleum and mining companies; utilities; in manufacturing and processing industries; and by government, health and educational establishments.
2211 - Chemical technologists and technicians
Chemical technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, industrial chemistry, chemical quality control and environmental protection. They are employed by research and development and quality control laboratories, consulting engineering companies, in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and a variety of other manufacturing and processing industries, and by utilities, health, educational and government establishments.
Illustrative example(s)
- biochemistry technologist
- chemical analyst
- chemical engineering technician
- chemical engineering technologist
- chemical laboratory analyst
- chemical research technician
- chemical technician
- chemical technologist
- food technologist
- formulation technician
- geochemical technician
- industrial hygiene technologist
- mass spectrometer technician
- master dyer - textiles
- paint technician
- pilot plant technician
- quality control technician - chemical processing
- quality control technician - food processing
Inclusion(s)
- documents examiner - applied chemistry
- forensic handwriting expert
Exclusion(s)
- Biochemistry technologists working as medical laboratory technologists (See 3211 Medical laboratory technologists)
- Process technicians who operate the controls of chemical or petrochemical processing plants (See 9232 Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Chemical technologists
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation techniques and microscopy
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas or liquid, reagents, and sample formulations
- Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results
- Develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates and products
- Assist in the development of chemical engineering processes, studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance and the development of standards, procedures and health and safety measures
- Operate experimental chemical or petrochemical pilot plants
- Conduct or assist in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and development of and compliance with standards
- Assist in synthesis of small molecules for the purpose of creating drug candidates
- Assist in the design and fabrication of experimental apparatus.
Chemical technicians
- Assist in setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas and liquid, reagents and sample formulations
- Compile records for analytical studies
- Assist in developing and conducting programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards
- Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of chemical research, tests and analyses, and environmental air and water quality monitoring and protection
- Assist in the design and fabrication of experimental apparatus.
Employment requirements
- Chemical technologists usually require completion of a two- or three-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology or a closely related discipline.
- Chemical technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
- National certification for chemical technologists and technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
- Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- Chemical technologists and technicians are regulated in Quebec and Alberta.
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
Additional information
- Considerable mobility is possible among jobs within this occupational group.
- Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.
- Some chemical technologists and technicians working in support of fundamental research in chemistry or biochemistry are university graduates.
2212 - Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, geophysics, petroleum engineering, geology, mining and mining engineering, mineralogy, extractive and physical metallurgy, metallurgical engineering and environmental protection. They are employed by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology and engineering firms, and by governments and educational institutions as well as by a variety of manufacturing, construction and utilities companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- assayer
- geological technician
- geophysical technologist
- groundwater technologist
- log technician
- marine geoscience technologist
- metallurgical technologist
- mineralogy technician
- mining engineering technologist
- mining technologist
- petroleum engineering technologist
- petroleum technician
- petrology technician
- reservoir engineering technician
- rock mechanics technician
- seismic technician
- welding technologist
Inclusion(s)
- laboratory technician - metallurgy
Exclusion(s)
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians (See 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
- Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services (See 8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (See 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians)
- Supervisors, mining and quarrying (See 8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying)
- Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology (See 2255 Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology)
- Technologists and technicians whose primary duties are to perform chemical laboratory tests (See 2211 Chemical technologists and technicians)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Geological and mineral technologists
- Conduct or direct geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs
- Configure, operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps and cross sections
- Prepare, transcribe or analyze seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data
- Assist engineers and geologists in the evaluation and analysis of petroleum and mineral reservoirs
- Prepare or supervise the preparation of rock, mineral or metal samples and perform physical and chemical laboratory tests
- Conduct or assist in environmental audits, in the design of measures to minimize undesirable environmental effects of new or expanded mining and oil and gas operations, and in the development of waste management and other related environmental protection procedures
- May supervise oil and gas well drilling, well completions and work-overs
- May conduct or supervise studies and programs related to mine development, mining methods, mine ventilation, lighting, drainage and ground control
- May assist engineers and metallurgists in specifying material selection, metal treatments or corrosion protection systems
- May assist hydrogeologists in evaluating groundwater and well circulation and in report preparation
- May develop specifications for heat treatment of metals or for welding, design welding fixtures, troubleshoot welding processes or quality problems and supervise welding projects
- May co-ordinate crew members' activities during seismic tests.
Geological and mineral technicians
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs and in environmental audits and related environmental protection activities
- Operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps and cross sections
- Assist in preparing, transcribing or analyzing seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data
- Assist in the preparation of rock, mineral or metal samples and in conducting physical and chemical laboratory tests
- Assist in hydrogeological field and laboratory studies and in preparation of reports
- Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of geology, geophysics and petroleum and mining engineering.
Employment requirements
- Geological and mineral technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in geological technology, petroleum technology, petroleum engineering technology, hydrogeology or groundwater technology, mining technology, mining engineering technology, mineralogy, metallurgical technology, or welding technology.
- Geophysics technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in electronics technology.
- Geological and mineral technicians usually require completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field.
- Certification in geological and mineral technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
Additional information
- There is limited mobility among occupations in this group.
- Mobility may be possible between geophysical technology and electronic technology.
- Mobility may be possible between some occupations in this group and related fields of civil engineering technology.
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