National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

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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.

225 - Technical occupations in architecture, drafting, surveying, geomatics and meteorology

This minor group includes technologists and technicians working in architectural technology, civil design engineering, construction, manufacturing design, industrial design, land surveying, geomatics, and meteorology. They are employed by governments; architectural, design, engineering, construction, consulting, media, computer software, forestry, natural resources, utilities and transportation companies; surveying establishments; and in manufacturing industries; or they may be self-employed.

2251 - Architectural technologists and technicians

Architectural technologists and technicians may work independently or provide technical assistance to professional architects and civil design engineers in conducting research, preparing drawings, architectural models, specifications and contracts and in supervising construction projects. They are employed by architectural and construction firms, and governments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • architectural design technician
    • architectural design technologist
    • architectural technician
    • architectural technologist

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Architects (See 2151 Architects)
    • Civil engineering technologists and technicians (See 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Construction estimators (See 2234 Construction estimators)
    • Construction inspectors (See 2264 Construction inspectors)
    • Construction managers (See 0711 Construction managers)
    • Drafting technologists and technicians (See 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians)
    • Land survey technologists and technicians (See 2254 Land survey technologists and technicians)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Assist in the development of architectural designs
    • Analyze building codes, by-laws, space requirements, site requirements and other technical documents and reports
    • Prepare manual and CAD (computer-assisted design) drawings, specifications, cost estimates and listings of quantities of material from conceptual drawings and instructions
    • Construct architectural and display models, and 3-D virtual models of architectural designs
    • Prepare contract and bidding documents
    • May supervise drafters, technicians and technologists on the architectural team
    • May supervise construction projects and co-ordinate, monitor and inspect work done by others.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a two- to three-year college program in architectural technology or a related subject is usually required.
    • Certification in architectural technology or in a related field through provincial associations of architectural or engineering/applied science technologists and technicians may be required by employers.
    • A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
    • Membership in the provincial regulatory body is mandatory in British Columbia.
    • 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 drafters, civil engineering technologists and technicians, construction estimators and construction inspectors.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
2252 - Industrial designers

Industrial designers conceptualize and produce designs for manufactured products. They are employed by manufacturing industries and private design firms or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • furniture designer
    • industrial design consultant
    • industrial designer
    • industrial products designer
    • product designer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Architectural technologists and technicians (See 2251 Architectural technologists and technicians)
    • Civil engineering design technologists (See 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Electrical and electronics design technologists (See 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Engineering design and drafting technicians and technologists (See 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians)
    • Graphic designers and illustrators (See 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators)
    • Interior designers and interior decorators (See 5242 Interior designers and interior decorators)
    • Mechanical engineering equipment designers (See 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers (See 5243 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Consult with client, engineers or production specialists to establish product requirements
    • Analyze the intended use of product and user preferences
    • Conduct research into cost, properties of production materials and methods of production
    • Develop manual and computer-assisted design (CAD) concepts, sketches or models for approval
    • Prepare manufacturing drawings, specifications and guidelines for production and construct prototype of design
    • Consult with engineers and production staff during manufacturing stage.
  • Employment requirements

    • A university degree in industrial design, architecture, engineering
      or
      A college diploma in industrial design is required.
    • Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.
  • Additional information

    • There is mobility between positions in this unit group.
    • Mobility is possible to other design occupations.
2253 - Drafting technologists and technicians

Drafting technologists and technicians prepare engineering designs, drawings and related technical information, in multidisciplinary engineering teams or in support of engineers, architects or industrial designers, or they may work independently. They are employed by consulting and construction companies, utility, resource and manufacturing companies, all levels of government and by a wide range of other establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • architectural draftsperson
    • computer-assisted design and drafting technologist
    • computer-assisted drafting (CAD) technician
    • design and drafting technologist
    • drafting office supervisor
    • drafting technician
    • drafting technologist
    • draftsperson
    • electrical draftsperson
    • electromechanical draftsperson
    • electronic draftsperson
    • engineering design and drafting technologist
    • mechanical draftsperson
    • steel detailer - drafting
    • structural draftsperson
    • structural steel drafter-detailer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Architectural design technologists (See 2251 Architectural technologists and technicians)
    • Civil engineering design technologists (See 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Electrical and electronics engineering design technologists (See 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Industrial designers (See 2252 Industrial designers)
    • Mechanical engineering design technologists (See 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Drafting technologists

    • Develop and prepare engineering designs and drawings from preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets and other data
    • Operate computer-assisted design (CAD) and drafting workstations
    • Develop and prepare design sketches
    • Complete documentation packages and produce drawing sets
    • Check and verify design drawings to conform to specifications and design data
    • Write technical reports
    • Prepare contracts and tender documents
    • Prepare construction specifications, costs and material estimates
    • Supervise and train other technologists, technicians and drafters.

    Drafting technicians

    • Develop and prepare engineering drawings, plans, diagrams or layouts from sketches
    • Operate computer-assisted drafting equipment or a conventional drafting station.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a two- to three-year college program in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field is usually required for drafting and design technologists.
    • Completion of a one- to two-year college program in drafting
      or
      Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program
      or
      Four to five years of related experience plus completion of college or industry courses in drafting are usually required for drafting technicians.
    • Trade certification for draftspersons is available, but voluntary in Ontario.
    • Certification in engineering design and drafting technology or in a related field through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians may be required by employers.
    • A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
  • Additional information

    • Mobility is possible to civil, mechanical, electrical or other engineering design technologies through educational or work specialization.
    • Senior and supervisory drafting and design technology workers require experience.
2254 - Land survey technologists and technicians

Land survey technologists and technicians conduct or participate in surveys to determine the exact locations and relative positions of natural features and other structures on the earth's surface, underground and underwater. They are employed by all levels of government, architectural and engineering firms, and by private sector surveying establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • engineering survey technologist
    • geodetic survey technologist
    • geomatics technologist - land surveying
    • land survey technician
    • legal survey technician
    • topographic survey technician
    • transit operator - surveying

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Drafting technologists and technicians (See 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians)
    • Engineering technologists and technicians who apply geotechnical and topographical information to land use and urban planning (See 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Geological, geophysical, hydrographic and mine survey technologists (See 2212 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians)
    • Land surveyors (See 2154 Land surveyors)
    • Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology (See 2255 Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Land survey technologists

    • Assist survey engineers or professional surveyors to develop methods and procedures for conducting field surveys
    • Conduct field surveys and operate survey instruments and computer equipment to measure distance, angles, elevations and contours
    • Record measurements and other information obtained during field survey activities
    • Determine precise geographic locations using global positioning systems (GPS) equipment
    • Analyze latitude, longitude and angles and compute trigonometric and other calculations to plot features, contours and areas to a specific scale
    • Prepare detailed drawings, charts and plans and survey notes and reports
    • Supervise and co-ordinate field survey activities.

    Land survey technicians

    • Participate in field surveys and operate survey instruments and devices
    • Keep records, measurements and other survey information in systematic order
    • Assist in the calculation, analysis and computation of measurements obtained during field surveys
    • Assist in the preparation of detailed drawings, charts and plans.

    Land survey technologists and technicians may specialize in one of the following types of surveys: geodetic survey, topographic survey, legal (cadastral) survey or engineering survey.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a two- to three-year college program in geomatics or land survey technology is usually required for land survey technologists.
    • Completion of a one- to two-year college program in geomatics or land survey technology is usually required for land survey technicians.
    • Certification by provincial associations of technicians and technologists may be required by some employers.
    • In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
  • Additional information

    • Mobility is possible between the various occupations in this unit group.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
    • Progression to land surveyor position is possible with completion of professional surveyor examinations and certification.
    • Geomatics is an interdisciplinary field encompassing the collection, analysis and presentation of geographically referenced data.
2255 - Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology

Technical occupations in geomatics include aerial survey, remote sensing, geographic information systems, cartographic and photogrammetric technologists and technicians, who gather, analyze, interpret and use geospatial information for applications in natural resources, geology, environmental research and land use planning. Meteorological technologists and technicians observe weather and atmospheric conditions, record, interpret, transmit and report on meteorological data, and provide weather information to the agricultural, natural resources and transportation industries and the public. Geomatics technologists and technicians are employed by all levels of government, utilities, mapping, computer software, forestry, architectural, engineering and consulting firms and other related establishments. Meteorological technologists and technicians are employed by all levels of government, the media, natural resources, utilities and transportation companies and consulting firms.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • aerial survey technician
    • aerological technician
    • avalanche controller
    • cartographer
    • climate data processor
    • climate service technician
    • geographic information systems (GIS) technician
    • ice observer
    • map editor
    • mapping technician
    • meteorological inspector
    • meteorological technician
    • photogrammetric technologist
    • photogrammetrist
    • remote sensing (RS) technician
    • softcopy photogrammetrist
    • surface weather observer
    • weather station officer-in-charge
    • weather station operations technician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Airborne geophysical equipment operators (See 2212 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians)
    • Drafting technologists and technicians (See 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians)
    • Engineering technologists and technicians who apply geotechnical and topographical information to land use and urban planning (See 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Geomatics engineers and surveying engineers (See 2131 Civil engineers)
    • Land survey technologists and technicians (See 2254 Land survey technologists and technicians)
    • Land surveyors (See 2154 Land surveyors)
    • Meteorologists and climatologists (See 2114 Meteorologists and climatologists)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Aerial survey and remote sensing technologists and technicians

    • Operate analog or digital airborne remote sensing equipment such as survey film or digital cameras, laser or radar sensors and scanners to prepare images, data and graphic reports, maps and charts from airborne or satellite data
    • Develop specialized analog and computer software specific routines to customize and integrate image analysis
    • Inspect quality of recorded images, verify the integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems, and adjust equipment as required.

    Geographic information systems (GIS) technologists and technicians

    • Operate specialized computer hardware and software and peripheral equipment to model, manage, analyze and display geospatial data
    • Develop specialized computer software routines, Internet-based GIS, database and business applications to customize geographic information
    • Work with external organizations on data transfer and systems compatibility issues
    • Perform data entry and editing activities and maintenance operations to systems following predetermined calibration procedures
    • Integrate external software such as spreadsheets and statistical packages with GIS software
    • Train and provide technical support for GIS users.

    Cartographic technologists and technicians

    • Plan map content, format and design and compile required data from aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports and other maps
    • Generate maps and related graphs and charts using digital mapping techniques, computer interactive graphics, computer-assisted design and drafting (CAD) software, traditional drafting methods and computer or traditional scribing tools
    • Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.

    Photogrammetric technologists and technicians

    • Examine and interpret aerial photographs to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics and related charts
    • Operate digitized stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment to provide three-dimensional optical models of terrain, to trace maps, and to prepare charts and tables
    • Monitor recording quality and adjust equipment as required and inspect quality of recorded images.

    Meteorological technologists and technicians

    • Observe, record and transmit atmospheric and weather information including air pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation and cloud, wind and ultraviolet conditions
    • Observe, chart and report on ice conditions in navigable waters and snow conditions, and participate in programs to forecast and control avalanches in mountainous terrain
    • Maintain climatological databases, analyze and interpret weather data and participate in the production of weather maps, charts and reports
    • Install, inspect, monitor, calibrate and maintain meteorological equipment and instruments.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Geomatics technologists require completion of a two- to three-year college program in cartography, photogrammetry, aerial survey, remote sensing, geographic information system or geomatics.
    • Geomatics technicians require completion of a one- to two-year college program in cartography, photogrammetry, aerial survey, remote sensing, geographic information system or geomatics.
    • In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title ''Professional Technologist''.
    • Meteorological technicians require completion of a one-year meteorological technician program provided by the Meteorological Service of Canada.
    • Further specialized training is available for meteorological technicians, and may be required by some employers.
  • Additional information

    • Geomatics is an interdisciplinary field encompassing the collection, analysis and presentation of geographically referenced data.
    • Mobility is possible between some occupations in this unit group.
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